Google Business Profiles are generally suspended due to violating the guidelines for representing a business on Google. Google regularly updates these guidelines to prevent fraudulent businesses from providing a poor user experience to searchers. This means it’s essential to stay updated on the guidelines to avoid a Google Business Profile from being suspended.

It also helps to regularly optimize any Google Business Profiles to provide accurate and updated information for searchers. Doing so ensures that businesses are providing helpful information and prevents suspension. Here are a few common reasons a Google Business Profile might face suspension.

Inaccurate Business Address

Google Business clearly states that “P.O. boxes or mailboxes located at remote locations aren’t acceptable.” To qualify for a listing on Google, a business must have a physical address that matches its legal documentation. Additionally, any business that displays its address on Google must have a storefront at the address listed.

Service-area businesses that don’t have a storefront clients can visit should hide their address on the listing. For example, a home remodeling company that offers services to the client’s location but does not provide a physical location for clients to visit or book appointments should not display its address.

To show the business address on the profile, Google requires a physical location with permanent signage displaying the business name. If a business does not meet these requirements, it may be suspended.

Names with Location Descriptors

According to Google, the “name should reflect (a) business’s real-world name, as used consistently on (the) storefront, website, stationery, and as known to customers.” Business profiles need to reflect the name listed on their business registration/license, store signage, and other visible materials.

The business name should not include additional location descriptors like “Off the 95 Highway” or “on Bell Road”. Additionally, a business should avoid adding business hours, store codes, or any other information that is not part of its legal business name. It’s also important to accurately list the business name across other digital marketing assets like websites and other local listings to prevent the Google Business Profile from being suspended.

E-Commerce Businesses

Online shops are not eligible for Google Business Profile. Though running an e-commerce shop is a very lucrative business in today’s digital landscape, Google Business is exclusively built for brick-and-mortar shops that searchers can visit in real life or service-area businesses that provide services to the user’s location. This can include local fashion stores, eyelash salons, remodelers, and other businesses that can function offline.

How to Reinstate a Google Business Profile

Once a business has been suspended, a reinstatement request will need to be submitted on its behalf. The online form will ask a series of questions about the business to ensure it qualifies for a Google Business listing. Additionally, it may ask for a copy of a business registration/license or utility bill that is addressed to the business location listed on the Google Business Profile.

Having these documents on hand as well as a link to the business listed on the Better Business Bureau site will help speed the process along and ensure the profile is reinstated as efficiently as possible. For more help on lifting a Google Business Profile suspension, talk to your marketing specialist or contact us at support@cybermark.com.

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