How can I Fix Issues with My Google My Business Profile?

Google Business Profile (formerly called Google My Business) is a must-have for local SEO because it helps local businesses show up easily on search engine results pages.

If you’re a small business with a tight marketing budget, using a Google Business Profile (GBP) is an awesome way to promote your business for free!

But if your GBP gets suspended for any reason, it can seriously hurt your website traffic and mess up your whole digital marketing strategy.

If this happens, it can be really stressful and overwhelming. Luckily, our experts have shared some tips on how to fix your GBP and get your business back on track as soon as possible.

How to Fix Your Suspended Google Business Profile in 5 simple Steps

You’ll know your Google Business Profile (GBP) is suspended if you get an email from Google or by checking your account dashboard. Google will tell you the type of violation, so you’ll have a general idea of what went wrong. There are two types of suspensions:

1. Soft Suspension: Your profile is still online and visible in your dashboard, but it’s not verified, so you can’t make updates. However, other users can edit it, which means incorrect info could show up.
2. Hard Suspension: Your GBP won’t appear on Google Search or Google Maps at all, making it impossible for anyone to find your business listing.

Here are five simple steps to get your profile back up and running:

Also Read: How can I Fix Issues with My Google My Business Profile?

1. Find and Fix the Issue

First, figure out why your GBP got suspended. There are several common reasons, including:

• Keyword stuffing
• Using a PO Box instead of your actual business address
• Sharing the same address with another business
• Making too many edits at once
• Linking your profile’s URL to a social media page or another website
• Listing your business hours as 24/7
• Mismatched address or hours compared to your website
• Having a suspended account manager
• Duplicate listings for the same business at one address
• Changing your listing type (e.g., from a storefront to a service area business)
• Violating Google’s terms of service

Your profile might be suspended for multiple reasons, so it’s a good idea to keep track of any updates you make. This way, if something goes wrong, you can look back and identify the cause.

Once you know what went wrong, go into your profile (if you can) and fix the issue. Don’t create a new profile! This will only cause more problems and set you back to square one.

2. Request a Reinstatement

After fixing the issue, fill out a reinstatement request form. This is the first step in the appeal process. In the form, explain the suspension and provide any necessary documents to support your case.

3. Use the Appeals Tool

Appeals and reinstatement requests are two different steps. When Google suspends your profile, they’ll send you an email with a blue ‘Appeal’ button. Click it and follow the instructions. You’ll need to verify the email linked to your profile and prove you own the business by uploading documents like:

• A digital copy of your business license
• Tax certificates
• A bill with your business name and address

Tip: You have 60 minutes to upload your documents, so be prepared and avoid distractions.

4. Reply to Google’s Email

After submitting your reinstatement request, you’ll get an automated email from Google support. You can reply to this email, and eventually, a real person will get back to you with an update.

Pro Tip: Keep track of your case ID number and always include it in your replies. It helps Google find your profile faster and (hopefully) fix the problem sooner.

5. Stay in Touch with Google

Once you hear back from Google, follow their instructions to make sure your profile follows the Google Business Profile rules. After making the changes, reply to their email and ask them to review your updates. Check in every day or so to remind them, which might help get your profile back on Google Search and Maps sooner.

Also Read: How do I Optimize My Google My Business Listing for Better Visibility?

What Should you do If Your Reinstatement Request gets Denied?

If your reinstatement request gets denied, don’t worry—you can ask for another review to explain why your profile should be restored. In this second review, you can add more evidence or anything you didn’t get to include the first time.

How does a Suspension Differ from a Google Ban?

We know that getting your Google Business account suspended can feel like a disaster, but believe us—it could be worse!

A suspension just means your profile is temporarily taken down, but a Google ban is much more serious. If you’re banned, your profile is completely removed, and you can’t access it at all. This usually happens if you keep breaking Google’s terms of service.

Once you get your GBP back after a suspension, make sure to follow the rules to avoid getting suspended again—or even banned.

5 Ways to Prevent a Suspension in the Future

A Google Business Profile is a must-have for any local business’s SEO strategy. That’s why it’s important to avoid getting suspended—especially if it’s happened before. Here are five tips from our SEO experts to help you keep your profile safe:

1. Keep Your Profile Updated: If anything changes in your business, like your opening hours or address, update your GBP right away. This helps avoid any confusion or incorrect information.
2. Use Extra Verification: Make your account more secure by using advanced verification methods like video verification or two-factor authentication.
3. Be Clear and Honest: Make sure all the information on your profile is accurate and easy to understand. Avoid using any wording that could be confusing or misleading.
4. Watch User-Generated Content: Users can suggest edits to your listing, which might lead to incorrect info. Keep an eye on any changes to make sure everything stays accurate.
5. Use Real Photos: It’s tempting to use stock photos, but they don’t always show what your business really looks like. Always use real photos of your business to keep your profile authentic and trustworthy.

Also Read: What Should I Include in My Google My Business Description?

Feeling Overwhelmed? Let our experts take care of any SEO issues

We hope this article helped you understand what to do if your Google Business Profile gets suspended.

There are a lot of steps to follow and tips to remember, so be sure to follow them carefully!

Need help with your SEO? Let Embryo’s team of experts handle it for you. We use a holistic approach that covers the three main pillars of SEO to get real results. We’ve worked with some of the biggest names in business—don’t miss out!