Shops near you show open later on Google? What to check

When someone searches late in the evening, Google shows who is open now. If shops near you show open later than you, they get seen first. First check that your own hours on Google are right. Then decide if longer hours make sense for you.

Neha runs a medical store in a busy colony. She keeps it open until 10 pm.

But her Google listing still said 8 pm. She set it when she first opened.

Two stores nearby showed "Open until 11 pm". At 9 pm, a father searched for medicine for his child. Neha's store showed closed. He drove to the next one.

This is an example, with a made up name and business.

When shops near you show longer hours, it is one of two things.

• Your listing is wrong. You really stay open late, but Google shows an earlier time. This is easy to fix.
• Your hours really are shorter. Google is right. Then it is a choice for you, not a mistake.

Step 1: see what customers see

1. Open Google Maps on your phone.
2. Search for your business name. Tap the hours. Read each day.
3. Now search for businesses like yours near you. Look at their hours.

Note the days where they open earlier or close later than you.

Step 2: if your listing is wrong, fix it

1. Open your Business Profile. You can search for your business name on Google while signed in.
2. Tap Edit profile, then Hours (Google).
3. Set the open and close time you really keep, for each day.
4. Save.

Our guide on getting your opening hours right on Google has more help.

Step 3: if your hours really are shorter, think it through

You do not have to stay open longer. Ask yourself:

• Do people walk past your shop late in the evening?
• Do customers ask if you are open later?
• Can you keep a helper for one more hour?

If yes, you could try a later close for a few weeks. Change Google the same day. Never put hours on Google that you do not keep.

Should I copy the hours of the shop next door?

No. Put the hours you really keep. Your listing should match your door.

I open early, but they close late. Which matters more?

Both can matter. It depends on when your customers need you. Your own experience is the best guide.

Will longer hours bring more customers?

Nobody can promise that. But a listing that shows closed cannot be picked by someone looking for "open now".