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Google Maps shows the wrong holiday hours: why and how to fix it

A customer sees "closed" on a day you are open, or "open" on a day you are shut. Most of the time the cause is one of a handful of things on your Google Business Profile, and you can check each one in a few minutes. Here is what Google's own help pages say, in order.

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1. The short version

  • Check your own special hours first. If you never set them for the date, Maps shows your regular hours, and Google may show a warning that your hours might differ.
  • Then look for changes you did not make. Users can suggest edits and Google can update your profile from other sources. Google gives you 4 days to respond to a suggested edit that needs your review.
  • Edits take time. Google says edits usually take up to 10 minutes to review, but sometimes it can take up to 30 days.

We describe each step from Google's own help pages, checked on 23 October 2026. Google changes menu names now and then, so follow what you see on screen. To set holiday hours from scratch, read how to add holiday hours to your Google Business Profile, which also has the 2026 dates.

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2. Why Maps can show the wrong holiday hours

Cause 1: special hours were not set for that date

Google's page on how to set special hours says special hours are for days when your hours change or you are closed for up to six days in a row, such as holidays. Without special hours for a date, your regular hours apply. Google's page About holidays on Google says that on the holidays it lists, a warning may appear on your profile that tells users your business hours might differ.

Cause 2: they were set, but not in a way that shows

  • Main hours. Google says special hours only show if your main hours are set to "Open with main hours".
  • Closure too long. Special hours cover up to six days in a row. For seven or more days, or an unknown period, Google says to mark the business as temporarily closed, and to reopen it afterwards (see how to remove "Temporarily closed").
  • Past midnight. A set of special hours cannot be longer than 24 hours. Google says to split it into two entries at midnight, and that the special hours replace the next day's regular hours.
  • Wrong box. If the "Closed" box is checked for a date, the day shows as closed. If you are open, it must be cleared and the hours entered.
  • Bulk upload. Google says that for existing businesses, empty columns or columns with headings but no data in a spreadsheet erase existing information in those columns. Its page on Google updates says that if a spreadsheet field is blank, an automatic update may apply.

Cause 3: the edit is still under review, or was not approved

Google's edit status page says edits show as Accepted, Pending ("Your edit is still under review") or Not approved. It says Google might not approve changes if it can't confirm their accuracy, and that edits usually take up to 10 minutes to review, but sometimes it can take up to 30 days. Rejected business information edits may be eligible for an appeal.

Cause 4: someone suggested an edit

Google's page on Google updates says users can suggest edits, and that Google notifies you about certain suggestions before publishing them. If one needs your review you may get an email or an in-product notification, and you have 4 days to accept or reject it. If you don't respond within 4 days, Google says it may publish the update if other public information, such as your business website, supports it. It adds that Google may apply some user edits without prior review when needed to meet policy guidelines.

Cause 5: Google updated the profile from another source

The same page says Google may update your profile using information from sources such as user reports and licensed content, and that these updates appear on Maps, Search and other Google services. In the profile editor, blue text shows info changed by Google, and a notification appears at the top of your profile when it has Google updates. Google also says it may contact your verified phone number by call, text or WhatsApp to confirm business details, and that any information you give in reply may be used to update your profile. Google's page on editing your Business Profile says you can review this under Edit profile, then Collected info, and delete an item you don't want.

Cause 6: other listings and your own website disagree

Google does not list which third-party sites it uses. What its pages do say is that it can use public information such as your website to back or reject a suggested update, and that it draws on user reports and licensed content. So if your website, a directory or a social profile still shows last year's holiday hours, the safest move is to make all of them match your profile. That last point is our advice, not a Google rule.

3. How to fix it

  1. Check Special hours. Go to your Business Profile at business.google.com, select Edit profile, then Hours, and next to "Special hours" select Edit. Check every holiday date. Select Review on a date Google suggests, or Add a date for your own, set the hours or leave "Closed" checked, and Save.
  2. Confirm main hours. They must be set to "Open with main hours" or special hours will not show.
  3. Check the edit status. Use Google's "Check your edit status" link from the edit status page. If an edit is Pending, wait. If it says Not approved, read why and consider an appeal.
  4. Look for suggested edits and Google updates. Read the notification at the top of your profile and your email, and accept or reject any suggestion within the 4 days Google gives you. Blue text in the editor shows what Google changed.
  5. Review Collected info. Under Edit profile, then Collected info, delete any item that is wrong. Google says deleting collected information removes it from Google's records but does not change other details already on your profile.
  6. Make your website match. Put the same holiday hours on your site, so a suggested edit cannot point to public information that disagrees with your profile.
  7. Check as a customer. Search your business name in a private window, on a phone that is not signed in to your account, and read the hours for the holiday date. Write down what you see and when.
  8. Still wrong? Google's help pages point to the Business Profile Help Community and Google's contact options for more help.

Our Google Business Profile checklist covers the rest of the profile. For the Saturday after Black Friday, see the Small Business Saturday Google profile checklist. The Holiday Rush Check lists what else to look at before Black Friday.

4. If you are not the owner

Google's Maps help on reporting errors says you can add or edit information about a place or business, such as the name, address, hours or other facts, and that you can only help correct an error in Maps in some countries and regions. If you run the business, claiming and verifying the profile is what gives you control over its hours. See why a business doesn't show up on Google Maps if the profile is missing.

Sources

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SiteDokAI is not affiliated with Google. We can't change what Google shows on your profile or how fast it reviews an edit.

Common questions

Why does Google Maps show my business as closed on a day I am open?
The usual causes are special hours that were never set for that date, special hours that are saved wrongly, an edit that is still under review, or an update from someone else or another source that Google published. Open Edit profile, then Hours, and check "Special hours" for the date first.
Can a customer change my opening hours on Google?
Customers can suggest edits. Google says it notifies you about certain suggestions before publishing them, that you have 4 days to accept or reject one after you are notified, and that if you do not respond it may publish the update when other public information, such as your website, supports it. Google also says it may apply some user edits without prior review when needed to meet policy guidelines.
How long does it take for new hours to show on Google Maps?
Google says edits usually take up to 10 minutes to review, but sometimes it can take up to 30 days. Your edit status shows as Accepted, Pending or Not approved.
Why does my profile say my hours might differ?
Google says that on the holidays listed on its holiday page, a warning may appear on your Business Profile that tells users your business hours might differ. Setting special hours in advance for those dates is how you let customers know your holiday hours.
What if I am not the owner and the hours on Maps are wrong?
Google's Maps help says you can add or edit information about a place or business, including the hours. It also says you can only help correct an error in Maps in some countries and regions.

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