Google My Business Suspension: Reasons & Tips to Avoid It

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20 Reasons Your Google My Business Account May be Suspended

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1. Keyword Stuffing 

If Google witnesses over-optimization of your GMB profile, it can suspend a listing. E.g., Stuffed keywords across the description, offerings, posts, etc., are common. These practices impede the user experience. Here’s how a keyword stuffing looks like:

Avoid this kind of description or post in your GMB. 

2. Address Inconsistency

Inconsistency in your address across your GMB listing, site, and other directories raises questions. Moreover, practices like listing a virtual address, P.O. Box address, or FedEx/UPS Office are against GMB guidelines. You can check these inconsistencies using local citation tools like Brightlocal. 

3. Multiple Listings for the Same Address:

Google values the authenticity of your business location. If you share your office/store location with another GMB-listed business, Google will suspend it. You must be able to claim the authority of your business address. 

Read: Important Tips to do Local SEO for Multiple locations

4. Relocation or Rebranding

Keeping Google unaware about updates like relocation or rebranding attracts a suspension penalty. If a user visits your old address (by trusting GMB), he will be disappointed. And he can report this inconvenience to Google. Here’s an example in the below image.

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Unedited version

5. Incomplete Verifications

Incomplete verification is a common mistake attracting ‘soft’ suspension. You must request a re-verification if you edit your phone no., category, address, etc. Unless these changes aren’t verified, your GMB profile isn’t visible. 

Here’s an image showing to add a verification PIN received from post to submit GMB dashboard. 

6. Multiple Listings for the Same Business

Some businesses practice the trickery of creating multiple listings (with minor variations) for the same business. This might tempt you with greater visibility, but Google will eventually suspend all these listings. 

7. Inappropriate Website Link

Practices like forwarding website links and linking to irrelevant landing pages are against GMB guidelines. These can easily attract Google’s notice, so ensure to add your original site URL.

8. Brand Name Variations

Google values NAP consistency, and it can pull down your listing in case of brand name inconsistency. So, refrain from using short-form spellings or capitalization variations of your original brand name.

9. Forwarding or Unreachable Phone No. 

Phone number forwarding and unreachable phone number bring disappointment for the users. They may even report these practices, and you can attract a penalty. Another false practice is no phone call responses. 

10. Address Removed 

If you use the GMB profile’s edit functionality to remove the address completely, your profile gets suspended. If you want to hide your business location, you must mark your business service areas. For example, take a look at such an example in the screenshot.

11. Address changed to Service Area

A business might be serving from its location for several months and instantly switch to a service area business. Here, Google may send a notice to question this instant change in your business category.

Take a look at the screenshot; it shows the business offers no service to the customers in the given location, so it’s likely that Google will suspend it. 

12. High-risk Industry as Primary Category

Google follows stricter norms for high-risk industry businesses. These include locksmiths, plumbing, home services, HVAC, etc. A minor negative report or negative review may cause Google to suspend your listing.

Take a screenshot of an HVAC review indicating the business offers no service even after receiving payment. 

Read: Reviews & Its Role in Local SEO

13. Change in Business Ownership

A business may experience a change in ownership or management. And Google may witness changes in login locations, passwords, and contact info. It can release a ‘soft’ suspension here. 

Read: Google My Business: How Much Does It Cost & How to Promote?

14. Multiple Information Edits

So, you switch to your GMB account and edit multiple elements (Eg. Category, address, website link, etc.) at one go. This raises doubt, and Google can pull down your profile. 

15. Frequent Edits 

Google can penalize you for making crucial edits to your GMB information every few days. For example, you are changing your contact, address, or category too often. 

16. Incorrect Business Hours

You are likely to have different business hours for different weekdays, seasons, months, etc. If you fail to update this info and a customer reports an inconvenience, Google can suspend your profile. 

17. Fake Review Attempts

Google reviews significantly influence your local SEO, but Google is vigilant about fake review attempts. So, review attempts from fake profiles can attract a penalty. 

In the below image, reviews have no proof that they received the service, and it seems the accounts used only reviewed this business. Google or the other users may report to GMB moderators. 

18. Inappropriate Media Uploads

Posting an inappropriate, defaming, or questionable image on GMB isn’t allowed. It can be a possible reason for the suspension.

19. Fake Offers or Events

Some businesses may create fake offers or events using the Posts feature to attract customers. Negative reviews and reports about these deceiving hooks can result in account suspension. 

Take a look at the below screenshot showing what images are accepted by GMB. 

20. Confusing Service Area Business Information

Google can suspend your listing for highlighting confusing information. E.g., You are a service area business, but you haven’t hidden your business location. Or, you haven’t displayed your service hours.

Types of GMB Suspensions

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1. Soft Suspension

This is a mild suspension activity by Google when it doubts your information or verification. In this case, Google marks your account as unverified for an unknown reason. 

So now, when you log in to your GMB profile, you can witness a suspension notice. Gladly, Google does not pull down your listing, and it continues to appear on Google Maps and Search. 

However, Google revokes your ability to manage or edit your GMB profile. You can only get complete access to your profile after submitting proof of verification. 

A ‘soft’ suspension is generally due to unintended actions or minor edits. These reasons include incomplete verification after an edit, changing address to service locations, frequent edits, etc. 

2. Hard Suspension

As the name denotes, the ‘hard’ suspension is a stricter penalty by Google. 

And Google may issue a ‘hard’ suspension if it finds your listing violates its guidelines. It might also determine your business is ineligible for Google listing. 

Here, Google pulls down your listing from the Search and Google Maps. 

So, when you log in to your GMB account, you wouldn’t see the listing information. And Google sends you the profile removal notification.

A ‘hard’ suspension is generally due to an intended violation of GMB guidelines. 

There can be several reasons like: 

• An owner creates multiple listings for his business to appear for more searches. 
• A business manager adds a virtual or P.O. mail center address instead of a business location. 
• To get an SEO advantage, a business tries to over-populate the GMB profile with keywords. 

3. Manager Account Suspension: 

There are cases when Google might suspend the GMB account of a business manager. 

This type of suspension blocks the manager from accessing the GMB profile. Meanwhile, the GMB profile remains intact and appears in Google and Google Map searches.

This is generally a ‘soft’ suspension, and Google Support can help you resolve it. 

There can be several reasons why Google might suspend the manager’s account. It might have witnessed some unusual activity from the manager’s account. 

For example, 

• There can be frequent management changes, and Google notices frequent changes in the login location. 
• The manager makes multiple edits at once, or the edits are too frequent
• The manager’s profile is suspected of fake review attempts

4. Owner Account Suspension: 

If Google witnesses any major violation from the owner’s account, it can suspend his account. 

This is comparable to ‘hard’ suspension and significantly affects your local presence on Google.

Here, Google will remove all the listings associated with the owner’s account. Your profile will no longer appear in Google or Google Maps searches. 

This suspension type is due to an intended violation of any crucial GMB guideline. 

A possible reason can be a ‘change in ownership.’ Google might witness different account login locations and changes in contact numbers. 

In the case of owner account suspension, you would have to offer the ownership proof for reinstatement. Moreover, even after successful reinstatement, you lose the old reviews on your profile.

Tips to Get Your Google My Business Suspended Account Reinstated

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If Google suspends your account, you must start by checking the GMB guidelines. 

Moreover, scrutinize the reasons discussed above along with Google’s restricted-content guidelines.

In the case of ‘soft’ suspension, you have to resolve any possible issues in your profile and reclaim it. If Google doesn’t find any doubts or errors, it will mark your profile as verified. 

Meanwhile, you need to connect with GMB Support for’ hard’ suspension. This helps you find the reason for suspension, and you can send a reinstatement request. 

Here, Google may ask you to send proof of ownership in multiple documents. Use this proof of verification tips: 

Tip #1: State Business License

A majority of states require you to apply for a business license before you start selling. This includes a nominal license fee, permit, and registration. Google may require this proof. 

Tip #2: Professional Licensure

Authorized agencies in the state offer you professional licensure to certify that you qualify for a particular profession. E.g., in the U.S., engineering professions require professional licensure. 

Tip #3: Proof of occupancy of the location

This is crucial proof, and you can meet it by offering utility bills (electricity, water, waste disposal bills) of your business location. These bills should mention your business name and prove your occupancy.

Tip# 4: Rental Agreement

Many businesses rent their business spaces. And they can prove their proof of occupancy through a rental agreement or lease deed. 

Tip# 5: Tax Identification Documents

You might need to add your tax identification papers as proof of business ownership. It may include your EIN (Employer Identification Number), TIN (Tax ID Number), etc. 

Tip #6: Photo Verification

Google may also ask you for photos of your business location. You might need to send photos of your venue with a visible branding logo, street view, suite number on the door, etc. 

Tip #7: Proof of Occupying the Business Space

Google requires you to prove that you do not share your business space with anyone. It might require tax forms, utility bills, photo verification, rental deeds, etc. 

Tip #8: Video Verification

You might need to send Google a video verification to prove your business ownership. This video might include the view of your storefront, signage and address mark, staff, company vehicles, etc.

Tip #9: Rectifying the Business Name

Regarding your photo verification, if Google finds a variation in your brand’s name on the signage, it will ask you to use the same name in your listing. Also, add the signage image to your GMB profile. 

Tip #10: Shared Building Proof

If you share building space with other businesses, you need to add a photo of the building’s directory. This proves that you have an individual authorized business space in the building. 

Google My Business Suspensions – FAQs

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Q1. Why Google Keeps Suspending My GMB Account? 

Ans. Some most common reasons are: 

• You aren’t following name, address, and contact number consistency across your GMB, site, and other listings. You have over-stuffed your GMB information with keywords.
• You are using a shared address or are deceiving Google with multiple listings for your business. 
• You are using website forwarding or phone call forwarding.
• You are making multiple edits at once without requesting re-verification

Q2. Do I Need Business Ownership Proofs for GMB Account Reinstatement? 

Ans. Yes, in the case of ‘hard’ suspension, you might need to submit proof like: 

• State business license, professional licensure, tax verification papers
• Rental agreement, proof of location occupancy (utility bills)
• Photo and Video verifications

Q3. Does Google Let’s You Hide Your Business Location on GMB? 

Ans. Yes, you can hide your business location on GMB if you offer services at your client’s location. In this case, you have to highlight yourself as a ‘service area business.’ And you need to add the service areas (area, city, state) once you remove your business address.

You cannot simply leave the address column blank, as it can get your account suspended.

Key Takeaways

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Your GMB profile is inevitably crucial for building a prominent local presence online. So, if Google suspends your listing, here are tips for recovering your profile: 

• Track the issues concerning GMB guidelines and Google’s restricted-content guidelines. 
• Look for common issues like inconsistent NAP, brand name variations, keyword stuffing, multiple listings, etc. 
• Ensure that you update GMB for relocation, rebranding, or new contact details
• Don’t make too many edits at once and request verification for every crucial edit.
• Keep your crucial business ownership proof ready. These include State Business License, Professional License, Tax Forms, Employer Tax Papers, etc. 
• Be ready to prove that you occupy the business location with utility bills, rental deeds, etc. 
• Keep your photo and video verification proof ready. These can include storefront images, signage photos with clear brand logos, Streetview video, building’s directory photo, etc.