How to Remove Store Locations in Google Ads

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Understanding Store Locations in Google Ads

3. Why You Might Need to Remove Store Locations

4. How Store Locations Are Added to Google Ads

5. Method 1: Remove Store Locations Linked With Google Business Profile

6. Method 2: Remove Individual Store Locations From Google Business Profile

7. Method 3: Remove Manually Added Location Assets

8. Method 4: Remove Store Locations at the Campaign Level

9. Method 5: Remove Store Locations at the Ad Group Level

10. Method 6: Remove Affiliate or Chain Store Locations

11. Method 7: Remove Store Locations Using Location Feeds

12. Common Issues During Store Location Removal

13. Best Practices for Removing Store Locations

14. Effect of Removing Store Locations on Campaign Performance

15. Removing Store Visit Conversion Tracking

16. Compliance and Policy Considerations

17. Troubleshooting Checklist

18. Frequently Asked Questions

19. Final Thoughts

---

Introduction

Managing shop locations in online advertising is critical for businesses that rely on local visibility, foot traffic, and region-specific targeting. However, situations frequently arise where store locations must be removed—such as permanent closures, temporary shutdowns, rebranding initiatives, inaccurate address data, franchise changes, or compliance requirements. Knowing how to remove store locations in Google Ads correctly helps prevent wasted ad spend, misleading customer experiences, policy violations, and performance decline. This comprehensive guide explains every safe and effective method for removing store locations while keeping campaigns accurate, compliant, and optimized.

---

Understanding Store Locations in Google Ads

Store locations in Google Ads are managed through location assets (previously called location extensions). These assets allow advertisers to display physical business addresses, distance indicators, maps, and direction links directly within ads across Search, Display, YouTube, and Maps.

How Store Locations Appear in Ads

Store locations can appear through:

• Linked Google Business Profile accounts

• Manually added location assets

• Affiliate or chain location feeds

Because these assets influence real-world decisions like store visits and calls, accuracy is essential.

---

Why You Might Need to Remove Store Locations

There are many legitimate reasons for removing store locations from Google Ads:

• Permanent store closure

• Temporary closure for renovation or maintenance

• Incorrect or outdated address details

• Franchise ownership changes

• Rebranding or business restructuring

• Regional campaign realignment

• Legal or regulatory compliance

• Reducing unnecessary local ad spend

Removing outdated or incorrect locations ensures ads remain relevant, trustworthy, and policy-compliant.

---

How Store Locations Are Added to Google Ads

Before removing store locations, it is important to understand how they were originally added, as each source requires a different removal process.

Common Methods for Adding Store Locations

1. Linking a Google Business Profile (GBP) account

2. Manually creating location assets

3. Using affiliate location extensions for retail chains

4. Uploading bulk location feeds

Each method has a distinct removal workflow.

---

Method 1: Remove Store Locations Linked With Google Business Profile

The most common way store locations appear in ads is through a linked Google Business Profile.

Step-by-Step: Unlink Google Business Profile From Google Ads

1. Sign in to your Google Ads account

2. Click Tools & Settings

3. Under Setup, select Linked accounts

4. Choose Google Business Profile

5. Locate the connected profile

6. Click Unlink

Once unlinked, all store locations synced from that profile will stop appearing in ads.

Important Notes

• This removes all locations, not individual ones

• Ads will no longer show address or map information

• Campaigns continue running normally

Use this method when you need to remove every physical location at once.

---

Method 2: Remove Individual Store Locations From Google Business Profile

If you want to remove only specific store locations while keeping others active, changes must be made in Google Business Profile rather than Google Ads.

Steps to Remove or Close a Location

1. Sign in to Google Business Profile Manager

2. Select the specific business location

3. Click Edit profile

4. Choose Business information

5. Mark the location as:

   • Permanently closed, or

   • Temporarily closed

Once synchronized, Google Ads automatically stops showing closed locations.

Sync Timing

• Updates usually reflect within 24–72 hours

• No manual refresh is required in Google Ads

---

Method 3: Remove Manually Added Location Assets

Some advertisers manually add store locations directly within Google Ads.

Step-by-Step: Removing Manually Added Locations

1. Open your Google Ads account

2. Click Ads & Assets

3. Select Assets

4. Filter by Location

5. Locate the store address you want to remove

6. Select the asset

7. Click Remove or Pause

Remove vs Pause

• Remove: Permanently deletes the location asset

• Pause: Temporarily disables the asset without deleting it

Pausing is recommended for seasonal or temporary closures.

---

Method 4: Remove Store Locations at the Campaign Level

In some cases, store locations are applied only to specific campaigns.

Steps to Remove Campaign-Level Location Assets

1. Go to Campaigns

2. Select the relevant campaign

3. Click Assets

4. Choose Location assets

5. Remove or pause the linked locations

This allows location removal without affecting other campaigns.

---

Method 5: Remove Store Locations at the Ad Group Level

Ad group–level location assets override campaign-level assets.

When to Use Ad Group Removal

• Multi-city campaigns

• Hyper-local targeting strategies

• Franchise or dealer network setups

Steps

1. Select the ad group

2. Open Assets

3. Remove the location asset

4. Save changes

This method provides the most granular control.

---

Method 6: Remove Affiliate or Chain Store Locations

Retail advertisers often use affiliate location assets to display third-party store locations.

Steps to Remove Affiliate Locations

1. Go to Ads & Assets

2. Click Assets

3. Filter by Affiliate location

4. Select the retailer or chain

5. Remove or pause the asset

This is useful when affiliate stores are no longer relevant or operational.

---

Method 7: Remove Store Locations Using Location Feeds

Large advertisers may manage locations through bulk location feeds.

Steps to Remove Locations From Feeds

1. Open Tools & Settings

2. Go to Business data

3. Select Location feeds

4. Edit or re-upload the feed

5. Remove unwanted store rows

6. Submit the updated feed

Feed updates typically apply within 24–48 hours.

---

Common Issues During Store Location Removal

Locations Still Visible After Removal

• Google Business Profile still active

• Cached data delays

• Multiple asset sources still enabled

Duplicate Locations Appearing

• Same store added via GBP and manual assets

• Overlap between feeds and affiliate locations

Ads Still Showing Local Intent

• Location targeting still enabled

• Proximity-based bidding active

Always verify all active asset sources.

---

Best Practices for Removing Store Locations

• Audit all asset sources before removal

• Make changes during low-traffic periods

• Monitor impression share and CTR after removal

• Update conversion tracking if store visits were used

• Document changes for compliance and auditing

---

Effect of Removing Store Locations on Campaign Performance

Removing store locations may impact:

• Local impression share

• Store visit conversions

• Direction request clicks

• Call volume

• Map-based ad placements

After removal, traffic may shift toward broader, non-local intent queries.

---

Removing Store Visit Conversion Tracking

If store locations are permanently closed, conversion tracking should be updated.

Steps

1. Navigate to Tools & Settings

2. Select Conversions

3. Locate Store visits

4. Disable or remove if no longer applicable

This prevents misleading reporting and optimization signals.

---

Compliance and Policy Considerations

Displaying inaccurate store locations can violate:

• Google Ads misrepresentation policies

• Consumer protection regulations

• Industry-specific advertising rules

Removing outdated locations improves compliance and long-term account health.

---

Troubleshooting Checklist

If store locations still appear:

• Verify Google Business Profile status

• Review asset hierarchy (account, campaign, ad group)

• Inspect affiliate and feed-based assets

• Allow full synchronization time

• Clear browser cache and recheck

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Does removing store locations pause my ads?

No. Ads continue running without location details.

How long does removal take?

Usually 24–72 hours, depending on the source.

Can I remove just one store location?

Yes, if locations are managed through GBP or manual assets.

Will Quality Score be affected?

Indirectly, due to changes in relevance and click-through rate.

---

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to remove store locations in Google Ads is essential for maintaining ad accuracy, budget efficiency, and compliance. Because locations can be added through multiple sources—Google Business Profile, manual assets, feeds, and affiliate extensions—removal must be handled carefully and systematically. By applying the correct removal method, monitoring performance changes, and maintaining clean asset governance, you ensure your ads remain relevant, trustworthy, and optimized for long-term success.