Short answer: No. You, the business owner, should be the primary owner. Anyone helping you, including a web designer or agency, should be added as a manager. Google says managers can edit info, reply to reviews and post, but can't add or remove users or remove the profile. That way you can always remove them.
Owners and managers, in plain English
A profile can have several owners but only one primary owner. Google says owners have full control: they can add or remove users, manage the profile info and even delete the profile. Managers can do most of the day-to-day work, but they can't add or remove users or remove the profile.
Check who has access today
Go to your Business Profile, select More Business Profile settings, then People and access. You'll see every current owner and manager, plus any pending invites. If you see a name you don't recognize, or an old employee, you can remove them there as long as you're an owner.
Add your designer the right way
- 1. Go to your Business Profile and open People and access.
- 2. Select Add and enter their email address.
- 3. Under Access, choose Manager, then select Invite.
Google recommends that each person use their own Google account, so nobody has to share a password.
If your designer is already the primary owner
Ask them to add you, then transfer primary ownership to you. Only the primary owner can do that, and a profile needs at least one other owner or manager to transfer it to. Google also makes new owners and managers wait 7 days before they can do some things, like making someone primary owner, so plan for a week. If they won't cooperate, see how to request ownership.
How we do it: with AP Visible, your Google profile is in your name from day one, and we're added as a manager.
Also asked
What happens to review replies if I remove a manager?
Google says their replies to reviews, posts and other actions stay on the Business Profile. The person just can't change business info or do admin tasks anymore.
Can a manager remove me from my own profile?
No. Google says only owners can remove other owners and managers.
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Sources
- Google Business Profile Help, "Manage your Business Profile owners & managers": https://support.google.com/business/answer/3403100
- Google Business Profile Help, "Transfer primary ownership of a Business Profile": https://support.google.com/business/answer/3415281