Aye, GMB Gorilla. Can you tell me how to fix a suspended Google My Business Profile listing?
When there’s a will, there’s a way.
A Google Business Profile is a valuable tool that allows people to find your business and its location on Google search results. Better yet, it displays your company’s most important information, such as contact details, hours of operation, or a link to its official website.
As a matter of fact, millions of people use Google every day to research all kinds of information. It’s the world’s most popular search engine, with over 75% of the search market share utilizing it on a daily basis. Google earns nearly 5.6 million searches in a single day.
There isn’t a better way to make your business accessible to a global audience. As you can imagine, a suspended Google Business Profile won’t do your business any good. Google is known to be strict on occasion, putting GMB listings at risk for suspension.
There are various reasons why your Google My Business account may have been suspended. It’s especially tricky when you’re unsure what you’re in violation of. Before you get yourself in a tizzy, read what the GMB Gorilla has to say.
He’s here to take away your Google troubles.
Google Business Profile suspended? Here’s where to start
Keep calm and keep reading.
You’ve found yourself in Google’s digital prison. As frustrating as this is, you’re not alone, and there’s likely a solution to your suspension problem.
First off, remember to keep your cool. Dealing with a Google Business Profile suspension isn’t easy by any stretch, but something can be done about it. Sorry to break it to you, but panicking won’t bring your account back from the suspension grave.
(Neither will being rude to a Googler!)
All jokes aside, it’s totally possible to reinstate your suspended profile without spending the day on the vine.
When a suspension happens, you have to resort to detective mode. This is especially the case when you have no idea why Google suspended your profile.
What is a Google Business Profile suspension?
Let the GMB Gorilla explain.
Google targets Business Profiles and user accounts that go against its Terms of Service.
If Google finds that you’ve violated its guidelines, this can trigger a suspension. When your Google My Business Profile gets suspended, you lose the ability to edit your profile. Even worse it will often no longer be visible on Google and Google Maps.
There are two types of suspensions: soft and hard.
A soft suspension means you’ve lost control over your listing, but it’s still visible on maps and search results. A hard suspension completely removes your listing from search and maps.
Knowing a little bit more about Google suspensions will help you figure out why you were suspended. This makes fixing your suspender profile much easier.
Why did my Google Business Profile get suspended?
It’s the million-dollar question, folks.
There are various reasons why your Google Business Profile could’ve been suspended. Even if you’re not sure why Google decided to suspend your listing, there are a few common reasons that we come across every week.
The most common reasons Google profile listings are suspended are:
- Violation of terms of service
- Spammy review practices
- Issues with the Google account managing the profile
On a side note, your profile and or account can be banned permanently if you repeatedly violate Google’s rules. This is why it’s important to understand the rules and stay in compliance.
How to fix a suspended Google Business Profile listing
The moment you’ve all been waiting for.
Here’s the best process we’ve found for fixing a suspended Google Business Profile listing.
Review the Google My Business Terms of Service
Consider this Google’s very own constitution. You want to be 100% certain that your profile follows Google’s guidelines! Pay attention to each of their recommendations and documentation on what is not allowed for each of the areas / functions of the profile.
Find any violations that explain why your Google Business Listing was suspended
If you stumble across any oopsies on your own profile while reviewing Google’s terms of service, this may be why your account got the boot. Other common reasons include:
- Repeatedly changing address or business name
- Keyword stuffing your business’ name
- Having multiple profiles for the same business location
- Your a service area business posing as a physical address business
To get your profile listing back up and running you’ll need to fix issues like these first by editing your profile. Once you think your profile is in compliance, it’s possible to submit a reinstatement form.
File a Google Profile Reinstatement Form
This isn’t as scary as it seems. A Google Profile Reinstatement form allows a user to potentially remove their account’s suspension and regain full control of their profile.
Most users will submit a reinstatement form without thinking, which ensures they will spend a lot of time going back and forth with Google Support.
Before you submit the reinstatement form, be sure to avoid making one very common mistake. Carefully review the contents of your profile ahead of time. Your profile must be error-free before you can submit the form.
Additionally, the form must be filled out correctly. If you provide incorrect information, this could delay the reinstatement process and, in some cases, disable your account altogether.
To avoid either of these scenarios, you’ll want to get familiar with the contents of a Google Profile Reinstatement form.
To better prepare you, the GMB Gorilla has made a list of the series of questions the form will require you to answer. Some of them include:
- Have you previously submitted a reinstatement request for this Business Profile?
- Are you the official representative of the company, organization, or account in question?
- Does your Business Profile successfully follow Google Business Profile quality guidelines?
- Do you have various profiles for the same location?
- Does your business model require that you or a representative of the business travel to a customer’s location?
If you can confidently answer all of these questions, you’re in good shape. Better safe than sorry!
In addition to the answers to the questions above, you should be prepared to provide Google with items such as leases, utility bills, and other applicable business licenses required by state or federal government for your industry.
We’re also seeing Google use video verification at an increased rate to cut down on the number of people attempting to use fake locations and virtual offices for their profiles.
Peeling Hopeless? Let GMB Gorilla Ease Your Worries
If you’ve already gone down this road, or perhaps you don’t want to attempt the trek yourself, GMB Gorilla can help you out.
We’re Google My Business experts, after all!
With our Google My Business Suspension Service, one of our Gorilla-Certified team members will restore your profile for just $500.
Learn more and sign-up for our Google My Business Suspension Service overview here.
