Google Business Profile (GBP) is essential for any local businesses, given that the majority of users (97%) use search to find businesses nearby.
GBP is how potential customers find you. But what happens if, suddenly, it’s no longer there?
When running a local business, Google Business Profile suspension is a significant setback.
If a GBP is suspended, it might disappear from Google or become inaccessible to the owner or manager. Both situations spell trouble.
The gravity of such a suspension is profound. I’ve spoken to clients who believe that without their Business Profiles, their businesses would be at risk.
The challenge is that Google often doesn’t specify the reason for the suspension, making it difficult for business owners to identify and address the violation to get their profile back.
So, how can you safeguard your GBP and ensure it remains active? Read on to discover the common pitfalls and how to avoid them.
1. Address and Phone Number Violations
Google places immense emphasis on accurate and valid business addresses. Steering away from this by using addresses like P.O. Boxes, UPS Box locations, virtual offices, or even certain co-working spaces can fast-track your GBP to suspension.
While some exceptions like office buildings or malls might be okay, businesses operating from homes or creating multiple profiles from one location can invite trouble.
Source: Search Engine Land
The aim is to prevent exploitation of the system for enhanced rankings. For instance, a landscaping business and a sod business from the same address might be seen as an attempt to game the system.
There are some exceptions, but they’re few and come with their own set of criteria. For instance, co-working spaces might be permissible, but only under conditions like renting a dedicated office, having permanent signage, and ensuring customers can visit during business hours.
Moreover, Google maintains a keen eye on businesses that seem to share the same phone number. Duplicate phone numbers can be a sign of a business trying to list multiple times under different names or categories to dominate search results, which undermines the authenticity of the platform.
2. The Risks of Overediting
Optimising your Google Business Profile is essential for achieving better results. However, you need to be cautious.
Google expects that the core details of your business, like the name, address, phone number, or categories, will stay fairly consistent. Making frequent changes to these details can appear suspicious to Google, potentially leading to a suspension. It’s crucial to understand the implications before making any such modifications.
3. Too Many Keywords on Your Listing
While integrating relevant keywords can enhance your online visibility, overloading or ‘stuffing’ your business name with them can backfire. You might experience a temporary rise in the rankings, but if Google identifies this tactic, your GBP could face suspension.
Take, for instance, a mortgage broker adding designations like “Mortgage Broker | Mortgage Specialist | Mortgage Advisor” to their business name. Such additions can be perceived as violations.
For a more appropriate approach to keyword integration without stuffing, consider the following example:
However, it’s interesting to note that despite Google’s stringent guidelines, industry insiders have had different experiences. For instance, Darren Shaw from WhiteSpark mentioned on his LinkedIn post that business listings on GBP rarely face suspensions due to keyword stuffing issues.
This may suggest variability in enforcement, but businesses should still tread cautiously and prioritise long-term sustainability over short-lived gains.
4. Community Reports and Violation Flags
Google provides tools like “Suggest an Edit” and the Redressal Form, allowing the community to ensure GBP listings maintain integrity.
If someone flags your profile for violations, it might lead directly to a suspension.
Other Potential Suspension Triggers
While we’ve listed some of the common reasons for suspension, there are many more out there, some only Google is privy to.
We’ve helped many businesses get their Google Business Profiles back, but it’s never a simple task. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, Google has the final say, and there’s not much we can do.
This means you need to always stick to the guidelines, every single one of them. Remember, prevention is better than cure.
Top4 is Your Solution for Local Search Visibility
When the unfortunate scenario of a Google Business Profile suspension arises, it’s not the end of the road. We have a practical solution for businesses facing this issue, our location-based marketing platform called Top4.
Top4 is a location-based marketing technology that automates local search solutions, enabling businesses to prominently appear in search results when local consumers are looking for the products and services they offer.
Our platform is not only cost-effective but also designed to deliver rapid results, ensuring businesses reach their local audience efficiently.
Over 200,000 businesses from around the world have already joined Top4, and now it’s your turn to sign up. Register now and start generating more local leads from Google with Top4.
To find out how we can help you with your Website + Marketing, using our unique location marketing platform called Top4 (Top4.online), get in touch today at www.top4marketing.com
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