Top Triggers for Google Business Profile Suspensions and How to Avoid Them
Google My Business (GMB), now known as Google Business Profile, is an incredibly crucial tool for boosting the online visibility of your business. However, it is essential to follow Google's guidelines in order to avoid suspension and remain in compliance with specific guidelines. A suspended GBP account can lead to a major loss of visibility, reduced traffic, and potential damage to your business’s reputation. Here’s an in-depth look at some common reasons for GBP suspensions as well as some actionable tips to avoid them.
1. Address Inconsistency
Description: Address inconsistencies occur when the address listed on your GBP doesn’t match the address on your website or other online directories. This also includes using virtual addresses, P.O. Boxes, or mail forwarding services, which can raise red flags.
Why It’s Problematic: Google requires accurate and consistent business information in order to ensure a reliable user experience. Discrepancies can indicate fraudulent activity or confusion, leading to suspension.
How to Prevent: Maintain consistency across all platforms where your business address is listed. Use tools like BrightLocal to regularly check for and rectify any inconsistencies. Always use a physical address that reflects your actual business location.
2. Frequent and Multiple Edits
Description: Making numerous changes to your GBP in a short period, such as frequently updating your business hours, address, or categories.
Why It’s Problematic: Google often views frequent changes as suspicious behavior, which can lead to your profile being flagged for review or suspended.
How to Prevent: Make necessary updates to your profile in a controlled manner. Avoid making multiple changes simultaneously. Ensure that each update is accurate and necessary, and give each change some time to be processed before making additional updates.
3. Multiple Listings for the Same Business
Description: Creating more than one GBP listing for the same business location, often with slight variations in business name or address.
Why It’s Problematic: Multiple listings for the same address can be seen as an attempt to manipulate search visibility or mislead users and potential clients.
How to Prevent: Use a single, accurate listing for your business. If you have multiple locations, create separate listings for each location with distinct details. Avoid duplicating listings for the same address.
4. Incomplete or Incorrect Verification
Description: Failure to complete the verification process after making changes to your profile, such as updating your phone number or business address.
Why It’s Problematic: Incomplete verification can lead to a 'soft' suspension, making your GBP invisible to users until the verification is completed.
How to Prevent: Ensure that you complete all required verification steps when making changes to your profile. Follow Google's instructions carefully and provide any necessary PINs or documents promptly.
5. Keyword Stuffing
Description: Overloading your business description or posts with excessive keywords in an attempt to improve search rankings.
Why It’s Problematic: Google prioritizes user experience and natural content. Keyword stuffing can make your profile appear spammy and therefore detract from the user experience, leading to a suspension.
How to Prevent: Craft clear, natural descriptions and posts that accurately represent your business. Use keywords strategically and avoid overuse.
6. Brand Name Variations
Description: Using different variations of your business name, such as abbreviations, capitalization changes, or inconsistent spellings.
Why It’s Problematic: Google values consistency in business names to ensure accurate search results and listings. Variations can confuse users and affect your listing’s credibility.
How to Prevent: Use your official business name consistently across all platforms and in your GBP. Avoid abbreviations or changes in spelling unless they are part of your official branding.
7. Fake Reviews or Review Manipulation
Description: Attempting to generate fake reviews or manipulating reviews in order to improve your business’s rating.
Why It’s Problematic: Google monitors review activity closely and penalizes businesses that engage in fake review practices. This can lead to suspension or removal of reviews.
How to Prevent: Focus on providing excellent service and encourage genuine reviews from satisfied customers. Avoid practices that could be perceived as fraudulent or misleading.
8. Inappropriate Website Links
Description: Linking to irrelevant or misleading landing pages from your GBP, or using URL forwarding services.
Why It’s Problematic: Providing inaccurate or deceptive links can mislead users and therefore violate Google’s guidelines, resulting in a suspension.
How to Prevent: Ensure that all website links in your GBP direct users to relevant, accurate pages on your official website. Avoid using URL forwarding or links to unrelated content.
9. Address Removed or Changed to Service Area
Description: Completely removing your business address from your GBP or changing it to a service area without proper context.
Why It’s Problematic: Google requires a physical address for businesses that serve customers at a location. Removing the address or changing it suddenly can lead to confusion and suspension.
How to Prevent: If you need to hide your address, switch to a service area business profile and clearly define your service areas. Ensure that any address changes are communicated accurately and transparently.
10. High-Risk Industry as Primary Category
Description: Operating in high-risk industries like locksmithing, plumbing, or HVAC, and receiving negative reports or reviews.
Why It’s Problematic: High-risk industries are subject to stricter scrutiny. Negative reviews or reports can trigger a suspension due to the perceived risk associated with these sectors.
How to Prevent: Maintain high service standards and promptly address any customer complaints or negative feedback. Ensure that your GBP accurately reflects your business category and services.
11. Inappropriate Media Uploads
Description: Uploading images that are inappropriate, defaming, or not in compliance with Google’s content guidelines.
Why It’s Problematic: Offensive or misleading media can violate Google’s policies and result in suspension of your GBP.
How to Prevent: Only upload high-quality, relevant images that accurately represent your business. Avoid posting any content that could be considered inappropriate or misleading.
12. Fake Offers or Events
Description: Creating fake offers or events in an attempt to attract customers, without any actual promotions or events.
Why It’s Problematic: Misleading offers or events can deceive users and lead to complaints or reports to Google, potentially causing suspension.
How to Prevent: Ensure that all offers and events listed on your GBP are legitimate and accurately represented. Avoid using deceptive tactics to attract customers.
13. Confusing Service Area Information
Description: Providing unclear or conflicting information about your service area, or not properly defining your business location and hours.
Why It’s Problematic: Confusing or inconsistent service area information can lead to suspension if it doesn’t align with Google’s guidelines.
How to Prevent: Clearly define your service area and business hours. Make sure your GBP is accurate and consistent with your actual service capabilities and location.
14. Change in Business Ownership
Description: Changes in business ownership or management that lead to inconsistencies in login locations, passwords, or contact information.
Why It’s Problematic: Google may view these changes as potential red flags for fraudulent activity, resulting in a soft suspension.
How to Prevent: Notify Google of any ownership changes and ensure that your profile information remains consistent. Provide clear and accurate updates to avoid confusion.
To ensure your Google Business Profile remains active and visible, it's crucial to stay vigilant and comply with all of Google's guidelines. By regularly reviewing your profile and avoiding the common pitfalls outlined above, you can maintain a strong online presence and prevent costly suspensions. If you ever find yourself facing a suspension or need expert guidance on managing your GBP, don't hesitate to reach out to Reinstate Labs. Our team specializes in resolving GBP issues swiftly and effectively, so your business can continue to thrive without interruption.
