Find or create it
Search your business name on Google. If a listing exists, claim it; if not, create one at business.google.com. Never run two profiles for one location — merge duplicates.
Verify to unlock control
Google verifies by postcard, phone, email or video. Until verified you can't fully edit or respond to reviews, so do this first.
Until you're verified you can't fully edit the profile or respond to reviews — so verification is what unlocks real control.
Lock down access
Add yourself as the owner, not just a manager, and remove any old agencies. Owning the profile means you can never be locked out.
Key takeaway
Be the owner of your own profile — not just a manager — and you can never be locked out.