What to Do If Your Google Business Profile Gets Suspended

Google Business Profile (GBP) is a vital tool for businesses looking to connect with local customers through Google Search and Maps. However, there are instances where a business's profile can get suspended, causing a sudden drop in online visibility. A Google Business Profile suspension can be frustrating and damaging, especially for small businesses that rely heavily on local search traffic.

If your Google Business Profile gets suspended, it’s essential to act quickly and correctly to resolve the issue. In this article, we’ll cover the possible reasons for suspension, steps to take for reinstatement, and how BeFindable can assist you in getting your profile back up and running.

Types of Google Business Profile Suspensions

Before diving into what to do, it’s important to understand that there are two types of suspensions for Google Business Profiles:

1. Soft Suspension: Your business listing is still visible on Google, but you lose the ability to manage it (i.e., make edits or post updates).
2. Hard Suspension: Your business listing is completely removed from Google Search and Maps, and customers cannot find your business online.

Both types of suspensions can harm your online presence, but the good news is that most suspensions can be resolved by identifying and addressing the issue.

1. Determine Why Your Profile Was Suspended

The first step in resolving a suspension is understanding why it happened. Google doesn’t always provide a clear explanation for why a profile is suspended, but there are several common reasons, including:

• Inaccurate or Misleading Information: If your business name, address, phone number (NAP), or other details do not comply with Google’s guidelines, your profile could be flagged.
• Virtual Office or PO Box Addresses: Google requires businesses to have a physical location that customers can visit. Listings with PO Boxes or virtual office addresses may be suspended.
• Multiple Listings for the Same Business: Duplicate listings for the same business can lead to a suspension.
• Keyword Stuffing: Including keywords in your business name that don’t match your registered business name is against Google’s guidelines and could result in a suspension.
• Unauthorised Categories: Using categories that don’t accurately describe your business or services can trigger a suspension.

Once you have identified the possible reason for your suspension, you can take the necessary steps to correct the issue.

How BeFindable Can Help: We conduct a thorough audit of your profile to identify potential violations of Google’s guidelines and work with you to resolve any issues before proceeding with the reinstatement process.

2. Review Google’s Guidelines

Before submitting a reinstatement request, review Google’s guidelines for representing your business on GBP. This will help ensure that your profile is fully compliant with their rules and reduce the likelihood of future suspensions.

Google’s guidelines cover areas such as:

• Business name and location accuracy
• Categories and services offered
• Acceptable use of URLs
• Ownership and verification of the profile

How BeFindable Can Help: Our team is well-versed in Google’s guidelines and can ensure that your profile adheres to all the rules, minimising the chances of a repeat suspension.

3. Fix Any Issues on Your Profile

Once you have identified the reason for the suspension and reviewed the guidelines, the next step is to correct any issues with your profile. This might involve:

• Updating your NAP information to ensure it is accurate and consistent across all platforms.
• Removing any virtual addresses or PO Boxes.
• Deleting duplicate listings or merging them into a single, verified profile.
• Removing any unauthorised keywords or categories that violate Google’s policies.

Be thorough in addressing any potential issues, as submitting a reinstatement request before making necessary corrections could result in further delays.

How BeFindable Can Help: We handle the entire process of updating and optimising your profile, ensuring all details are correct before submitting a reinstatement request to Google.

4. Submit a Reinstatement Request

After resolving the issues, it’s time to submit a reinstatement request to Google. Google provides a reinstatement form specifically for suspended profiles. When filling out the form, include:

• A clear explanation of what changes you’ve made to comply with Google’s guidelines.
• Any supporting documentation that verifies your business’s legitimacy (e.g., business licenses, utility bills).
• A link to your business’s website to further verify its existence.

Be patient after submitting the request, as it can take several days or even weeks for Google to respond.

How BeFindable Can Help: We guide you through the reinstatement process, ensuring that your submission is complete, clear, and supported with the necessary documentation to expedite the process.

5. Follow Up With Google

If you don’t hear back from Google within a reasonable amount of time (typically 2-3 weeks), it’s important to follow up on your reinstatement request. Be polite and persistent, as the process can sometimes take longer than expected.

In cases where Google doesn’t provide a clear response, it may be helpful to reach out via the Google My Business Support Forum, where experts and community managers can provide additional guidance.

How BeFindable Can Help: We handle follow-ups with Google on your behalf, ensuring that your reinstatement request is processed as efficiently as possible.

6. Prevent Future Suspensions

Once your profile is reinstated, it’s crucial to prevent future suspensions by maintaining an accurate and compliant Google Business Profile. This means keeping your business information up to date, following Google’s guidelines, and avoiding actions that could trigger another suspension.

Regularly review your profile, update any changes in business hours, address, or services, and continue to engage with your customers through reviews and posts.

How BeFindable Can Help: We offer ongoing profile management services to ensure your Google Business Profile remains optimised and compliant with Google’s policies, reducing the risk of future suspensions.

Why Choose BeFindable?

If your Google Business Profile gets suspended, it can be stressful and overwhelming. BeFindable takes the complexity out of the reinstatement process by offering a comprehensive solution. We provide:

• Expert Profile Audits: Identifying the reasons behind your suspension and fixing them promptly.
• Guided Reinstatement: Helping you submit reinstatement requests with all the necessary documentation.
• Ongoing Support: Preventing future suspensions through regular profile monitoring and management.

Our goal is to get your business back on Google quickly, so you can continue attracting customers and growing your brand.