Hi! I have to rebrand my freelance business in Germany.

I need to change two things on my Google Business Profile: the business name and the website URL. It's a pure rebranding, same owner, same service, same site, just a new name and a new URL.

I'm worried about doing it wrong. Specifically I'm afraid that changing the name and URL could trigger a suspension.

What I've gathered so far as the safe approach:

- Update the name in the imprint, privacy policy, and logo on my current site. Update the name on social channels. Optional: New signage with the new name on mailbox and door bell at my registered address in case I need to do a verification video.

- Switch website to the new domain

- Set up a 301 redirect from the old domain to the new one

- Change only the name in the GBP dashboard first, exactly as it reads on my registration. Then leave the profile completely untouched for about a week while Google processes it.

- Then update the Google Business URL to the new domain.

I'd like a sanity check on whether this is right and whether there's anything I'm missing. Thank you very much!

(I don't have many reviews yet, so if deleting the old profile and getting a new one is the less risky approach I am more than willing to do that too.)

I’ve been comparing local businesses that perform well on Google Maps with the businesses recommended by ChatGPT, Gemini, and other AI platforms.

What surprised me is how little overlap there can be. A business may have a strong rating, more than 100 reviews, and years of history—but still not appear in AI recommendations.

I’m curious whether anyone managing a Google Business Profile has tested this:

1. Search Google for the best businesses in your category and city.
2. Ask an AI platform the same question.
3. Compare the businesses mentioned.

Are you seeing roughly the same companies, or completely different results?