Most firm owners have never looked at their own listings side by side. You set up a Google profile years
ago, someone claimed a Yelp page, and a legal directory built a profile from public records. Each one has a copy of
your name, address, and phone number. They may not all say the same thing.
This post walks through how to check them in one sitting and fix what you find. If you want the background on
why this matters, start with our guide to keeping your business info consistent.
Key Takeaways
- Pick one official version of your firm name, address, and phone number before you check anything.
- Start with the listings people actually use, then work down to smaller directories.
- Track every listing in a simple spreadsheet so nothing gets missed.
- Fix your website and Google Business Profile first, since other sites often copy from them.
- Recheck after any move, phone change, or name change.
Step 1: Write down your official version
Before you look at a single directory, decide exactly how your firm’s details should read. Small differences add
up. “Suite 200” versus “Ste. 200” is minor. A missing “& Associates” or an old partner’s name is not.
Write out these items in one place:
- Firm name, exactly as it appears on your sign and letterhead
- Street address, including suite number
- Main phone number (a local number, not a tracking line)
- Website address
- Office hours
This becomes the version every listing should match.
Step 2: Build a simple tracking sheet
Open a spreadsheet with a row for each listing and columns for the site name, the listing URL, what it shows for
name, address, and phone, and what needs fixing. Add a column for login details and one for the date you made the
change. It sounds tedious, but it saves you from checking the same site twice or losing track of a pending edit.
Quick tip
Search Google for your firm’s old phone number and old address in quotes.
Any page that still shows them is a listing that needs work, and it will often turn up sites you forgot about.
Step 3: Check the listings that matter most
You do not need to fix every directory on the internet. Start with the places where potential clients are most
likely to see your details:
- Your own website, including the footer, contact page, and any location pages
- Google Business Profile
- Apple Business Connect (what iPhone users see in Apple Maps)
- Bing Places
- Facebook and Yelp
- Legal directories such as Avvo, Justia, FindLaw, and Martindale-Hubbell
- Your state bar’s lawyer directory and your local bar association
- Your chamber of commerce or any local business groups you belong to
Search for your firm on each one, fill in your spreadsheet, and flag anything that does not match your official
version.
Step 4: Fix the source first
Update your website and Google Business Profile before anything else. Many directories pull or refresh their data
from what they find online, so fixing these first gives the rest a correct version to copy.
Then work through the rest of your list. Log in, claim the listing if you have not already, and edit the details.
Some changes go live right away. Others wait for review or ask you to verify by phone or mail. Note the date in your
sheet and move on.
Watch out for duplicates
If you moved offices, you may find two listings for your firm on the same
site, one at each address. Do not just update the newer one and leave the old one live. Merge or remove the
duplicate so people are not sent to an office you left.
Step 5: Clean up what you can’t edit
Some listings will not let you in. The old login belonged to a former employee, or the site built the profile on
its own. Look for a “claim this business” link on the listing. If there isn’t one, use the site’s contact or support
form to request a correction and keep a note of when you asked.
For a few small sites that never respond, it is fine to let them go. Put your effort into the listings people use.
Step 6: Recheck in a few weeks
Come back to your sheet in two to four weeks and confirm each change actually stuck. Some sites revert edits when
they refresh their data from another source. If you see an old detail come back, trace where it might be coming
from and fix that source too.
After that, a check a few times a year is enough, plus any time your firm’s details change.
Kevin Brown Design
Want us to check your listings for you?
We build websites and run local search for small law firms. We can review your
main listings, show you which ones are out of date, and help you fix them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to fix listing mismatches?
The checking part takes an afternoon for most small firms. The fixing part depends on each site. Your Google Business Profile and your own website can be updated the same day. Some directories approve edits within a few days, while others take weeks or need you to verify by phone or postcard. Keep your spreadsheet open and check back on anything still pending.
Do I need to pay a service to fix my listings?
Not usually. A small firm with a single office can handle the main listings by hand for free. Paid listing tools can save time if you have several offices, a lot of old listings, or a recent move. If you do pay for one, ask what happens to your listings when you stop paying, since some tools roll back their changes when the plan ends.
What if I find a listing I can’t log in to?
Most directories have a way to claim a listing you did not create. Look for a link like ‘Claim this business’ or ‘Is this your business?’ on the listing page. You will usually need to verify by phone, email at your firm’s domain, or mail. If an old employee set it up, try password recovery with the old email address before starting over.
Should I delete duplicate listings or merge them?
Merge or remove them using the site’s own tools when you can, rather than leaving two versions live. Two listings for the same firm split your reviews and can show people an old phone number. On Google, you can flag a duplicate with the ‘Suggest an edit’ option on the listing or through Business Profile support. Keep the listing with the most reviews and the correct details.
How often should I check my listings?
Check the main ones a few times a year. Also check any time you move, change your phone number, rename the firm, or add or lose a partner. Those changes are when mismatches usually start. A short yearly review keeps small errors from spreading to other sites.
Last reviewed October 9, 2026 by Kevin Brown.