Choose how you appear publicly on Google Maps & Search

You’re in control of how you appear when you post publicly on Google Maps and Search. You can post using the name and picture on your Google Account, or create a custom name and picture.

Edit custom name & picture on your public profile

Important: Your custom name and picture are shared across Google Maps and Search. When you edit your custom name or picture in Google Maps or the Google app, it’s automatically updated in the other.

In the Google Maps app

To edit your custom name or picture:

  1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app Maps.
  2. Tap Contribute Contribute and then View your profile and then Edit profile Edit.
  3. Check the box next to "Use a custom display name & picture for posting."

    • To post publicly with your Google Account profile name and picture instead, uncheck the box next to "Use a custom display name & picture for posting."

  4. Edit your custom name or picture:
    • To edit your picture: Tap your Profile picture.
      • You can choose from either Illustrations or Device photos.
    • To edit your name: Tap Display name and make the necessary changes.
  5. Tap Confirm.

In the Google app

To edit your custom name or picture:

  1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google app Google Search.
  2. At the top right, tap your profile picture or initial Account Circle and then Your profile and then Edit profile.
  3. Check the box next to "Use a custom display name & picture for posting."

    • To post publicly with your Google Account profile name and picture instead, uncheck the box next to "Use a custom display name & picture for posting."

  4. Edit your custom name or picture:
    • To edit your picture: Tap your Profile picture.
      • You can choose from either Illustrations or Device photos.
    • To edit your name: Tap Display name and make the necessary changes.
  5. Tap Confirm.

In your Google profile

To edit your custom name or picture after you create them:

  1. Go to your Google profile.
  2. Tap Edit profile.
  3. Check the box next to "Use a custom display name & picture for posting."

    • To post publicly with your Google Account profile name and picture instead, uncheck the box next to "Use a custom display name & picture for posting."

  4. Edit your custom name or picture:
    • To edit your picture: Tap your Profile picture.
      • You can choose from either Illustrations or Device photos.
    • To edit your name: Tap Display name and make the necessary changes.
  5. Tap Confirm.

Where your custom name & picture appear

Your custom name and picture on your Google Maps profile are visible to your followers and the people you follow. They're also shown with your public contributions across Google Maps and Search:

Tip: Your custom name and picture won't appear in public when you privately save lists or labels, add a reaction, or suggest an edit.

Where your Google Account profile name & picture appear

Your Google Account profile name and picture are visible on info that’s unrelated to public posts when you:

Tip: Your Google Account name and picture won't appear in public when you privately save lists or labels, add a reaction, or suggest an edit.

Block a user profile

You can use a mobile device to block someone from being able to find your profile on Maps. Google Maps won't let them know you blocked them.

Important: People you block may still be able to find your contributions on Google Maps, but they won't find them on your profile. Also, if a blocked user isn't signed into the account that you blocked, they'll be able to find your contributions. Learn how to block or unblock people's accounts.

Related resources

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