Google Business Profile Bug Adds Incorrect WhatsApp Numbers Globally

Image credit: Abondance

Google automatically added incorrect and undeletable WhatsApp numbers to numerous Google Business Profile listings globally during the week of June 9, 2026, a company acknowledged bug causing widespread user frustration.

Many of the automatically appended numbers are either inaccurate or correspond to landlines, which are incompatible with WhatsApp, leaving business owners unable to remove the erroneous contact information from their public profiles.

Google officially recognized the issue as a software defect and stated it is actively developing a solution, according to reports from the Local Search Forum.

The problem gained significant attention on the Local Search Forum and X, with local search experts highlighting the operational difficulties it presented for businesses.

Len Raleigh, a local search expert, and Rhea Velgos were among those who publicly pointed out the widespread nature of the error.

Business owners reported that the automatically added WhatsApp numbers appeared without their input or verification, often leading customers to non-existent or incorrect WhatsApp contacts.

The inability to edit or delete these specific fields has exacerbated the problem, forcing businesses to contend with inaccurate information displayed on a primary customer touchpoint.

Claudia Tomina, another local search specialist, also noted the prevalence of the bug and its impact on small and medium-sized enterprises relying on Google Business Profile for customer engagement.

The issue affects businesses across various sectors, creating confusion for customers attempting to contact them via WhatsApp.

Google Business Profile is a critical tool for businesses to manage their online presence across Google Search and Maps, making the accuracy of contact information paramount.

The company did not provide a specific timeline for when the fix would be implemented or when businesses would regain control over these specific WhatsApp number fields.

Source: Abondance