A Google Business Profile is a great way to highlight a business on search result pages. A basic profile includes a business name, address, phone number, hours, and links to its website. It’s a great resource to provide free information about a business to searchers. However, some people may notice that their Google Business Profile doesn’t always show up in search results.

Business Profiles generally appear when users directly search for a brand or business name. Once a business is added (or claimed) and verified, it typically takes 3 to 4 days to appear on Google Maps. It’s important to note that even if a business profile appears on Maps, there’s no guarantee it will show up in search results. Here are a few reasons that may prevent a Google Business Profile from showing up in maps or search results.

Unverified Profile

If a profile hasn’t been added or verified, it won’t appear on Google. Verification is a requirement to be seen on Google Maps and a prerequisite for Search. After creating a Business Profile the owner can verify the listings by following the prompts on their dashboard.

Note a business that has been verified may need to be verified again after changing the core business information. This includes the name, address, phone number, and categories listed on its Profile. For additional help, talk to a CM marketing specialist or learn how to verify a Google Business Profile.

Google Business Guideline Violation

If a listing does not follow the current guidelines for representing a business on Google, it may be suspended. Some violations may include an incorrect business name, an unaccepted address type, or an inaccurate business description. It’s important to stay up to date and follow the guidelines to prevent suspension.

Having a suspended business profile will prevent the business from being seen on Google until it has been reinstated. Learn more about why a Google Business Profile might be suspended and how to reinstate it.

New Google Business Profile

If a profile has just been created, it may not appear in search results, but it can be seen via Maps. It’s important to be patient during this time and avoid searching for your own business. Doing so may signal Google’s Search algorithm to stop showing that result. After continuous optimization and engagement, a business may see an increase in rankings over time.

It’s also important to note that if a business has just opened, users may not be using a direct or branded search to find it. In this case, the business would need to work on other marketing channels like social media or paid advertising to increase brand awareness.

Changes to Profile Information

Changing certain information to your Google Business Profile may trigger a re-verification process.  If you have recently changed the information on your profile and it stops appearing in search results, log-in to your account to see if you have any notifications from Google advising that your changes weren’t accepted or need re-verification.  Note that users can also suggest edits which may be automatically applied if you don’t accept or deny them.  We recommend logging in to your profile often to see if any changes were suggested.

Similar Business Names

Another potentially frustrating aspect of GBPs is the appearance of another profile with a similar business name. This can occur when searchers misspell or fail to enter the exact name of your business. It’s important that the business name you enter is consistent with other business listings you may have.  Adding LLC or INC may have unwanted results if they are not commonly used with your business name. If another business appears when entering your exact name, you may need to contact google support to clear up the problem.

Low Profile Strength

Google Business Profile will prompt users to fill out as much information about their business as possible by displaying their profile strength on the dashboard. When used, the system will prompt the owner through a series of action items to help optimize their Google Business profile. A few actions that help increase the profile strength are filling out all the fields available under “edit profile”. It also helps to add products and services, upload images, and engage with reviews.

These are just a few reasons why a Business Profile might not show up in search results. Check out the video below for more information about ranking and search results from Google.

To troubleshoot other issues related to Google Business Profile contact your CM marketing specialist or submit a ticket to Google Business Profile support.