Learning Why a Google My Business Account is Suspended
Google My Business (GMB) listings have become a critical marketing tool for business owners to promote their business online and rank high on Google.
Google My Business (GMB) listings have become a critical marketing tool for business owners to promote their business online and rank high on Google. Small businesses with limited resources and budgets rely heavily on their Google my business profile for traffic generation and sales. So, panic and frustration are inevitable when a business’s Google My Business account receives a suspension notice, and the entire listing is removed from Google.
The fact that Google does not mention the exact reason they took down the listing makes it more challenging for a business to resolve the concern so that Google will reinstate the listing. Google has specific guidelines that every business must follow, and they frequently update their service terms—usually, violating one or more of Google My Business’s terms of service or doing something spammy or suspicious leads to suspension. This post discusses some top reasons why Google can suspend local GMB listings.
Issues with address or contact information
Incomplete or incorrect business information will most likely result in a suspension. Ensure to correctly mention the business name, address, phone number, business hours, or product and services. Issues like the use of UPS, P.O. Box, or rented mailbox as physical address, service area business with a visible physical address, suspicious or fake business information, duplicate listings, another business sharing the same address, unreachable phone number, or relocation or rebranding are some of the reasons behind GMB account suspension.
The business is in a spammy or high-risk category
Some business categories like locksmiths, real estate, lawyers, pest control, HVAC, plumbers, garage doors, landscapers, tree services, and rehab centers, among others, are considered spammy or high risk for fake or fraudulent business profiles. As a result, these categories receive higher scrutiny, and even the slightest policy violation can result in suspension.
Stuffing the business name with keywords
Including unnecessary information in the business name or keyword stuffing the business name for high search engine rankings can result in soft suspension. Therefore, it is best to use the actual business name and not include phone numbers, store codes, website URLs, taglines, locations, or special characters.
Multiple profile edits
Making several GMB profile changes at once can make the listing appear suspicious or spam. Updating critical profile information like name, contact number, address, or category every few days can invite the risk of penalization from Google.
The website field has a forwarding URL
The Google listing can be suspended if the URL added to the GMB profile redirects to another website or a social media page instead of the business website. Google does not permit adding any forwarding URL or phone number to the listing.
Other common reasons for GMB account suspension
Listing is set up using a co-working space address
Business is online-only
Mismatch of address or business hours on the website or other places online
Incomplete verification
Fake review attempts
Defaming, questionable, or inappropriate media uploads
If a business’s GMB profile has been suspended, the best solution is to contact a GMB reinstatement service expert to have it reinstated. GTL is a leading GMB reinstatement service provider that has helped several small businesses restore their GMB listings quickly. Contact us, and we will take care of everything and leave no stone unturned to reinstate a Google My Business profile as soon as possible.
Green Thumb Local creates powerful online advertising and brand management for your local business. If you want a fully customized web presence without the hassle, call 480-360-0101 today!
