Handling Google Business Profile Suspensions When Your Profile Is at Risk
As a local business owner, having a working Google Business Profile is absolutely critical. It’s a powerful tool that helps connect with your customers. But what happens when your profile gets suspended? It’s a stressful scenario for anyone looking to rank – and Google doesn’t make it easy to fix.
First thing’s first, though. You need to know why your profile is suspended and what the next steps are to get it back. In this blog, our online reputation management experts at Pink Dog Digital will explore the common reasons for profile suspension and how to handle it.
What Is Google Business Profile Suspension?
When your profile is suspended, it will either disappear from Google and Google Maps altogether or Google will prevent you from making changes. This is because Google is committed to providing users with authentic and reliable information. As a result, they have a strict set of rules to ensure the accuracy of information displayed on Google’s business profile. Violating these policies (or Google THINKING that you’re violating these policies) leads to profile suspension.
Reasons for Google Business Profile Suspension
Google might not tell you why they suspended your profile. However, various reasons could be the cause:
- Stuffing your business name with keywords
- Using a P.O. Box or a UPS store as the address
- Setting up a virtual office or co-working space
- Wrong address for service-area businesses
- Online-only setup
- High-risk industry
- Duplicate listings or shared addresses
- Quick multiple changes to your profile
- Web URL redirects
Handling Google Business Profile Suspensions When Your Profile Is at Risk
If your Google business profile has been suspended or is at risk, here are some tips for handling it:
1. Read and familiarize yourself with Google Business Profile Policies
Know and understand what Google allows and doesn’t allow. Following all the guidelines will help avoid this headache. When your Google Business Profile gets suspended, Google doesn’t tell you why. As a business owner, it’s up to you to read and follow Google’s guidelines.
2. Check your info to find out if any policies are violated
Fix any details you might have input incorrectly, i.e., your address, name, URL, and working hours. If you have no physical location, don’t put an address. Ensure your profile is similar to other online platforms and on your website.
3. Show that you are real
You can prove you are real through photos, a business license, and insurance documents. You can also provide a video tour of your physical location to prove you are a real business.
4. Second opinions
Get advice from the Google Business Profile help forum or experts from the industry before you get started. This will help you to make any changes that could have otherwise violated the Google Business Profile policies.
5. Fill out the form
Complete the reinstatement form. Ensure that you honestly answer the questions about your business and what you have done to stick to Google’s guidelines.
Learn More About Google Business Profile Suspension at Pink Dog Digital
Protect your online presence by being informed about Google Business Profile policies and maintaining a trustworthy profile. At Pink Dog Digital, we help you with online reputation management services, improving your brand image. We provide various strategies and tactics for online reputation management to reduce the visibility of harmful content and help you get back online quickly.
Contact us at 410-696-3305 or fill out our online Contact Us form to learn more about our service or to request a quote. You can also send us an email at pinkdogdigital@gmail.com.