Common Reasons Why Your Google My Business Listing Was Suspended

A Google My Business (GMB) listing is one of the most cost-effective ways to market one’s business online, aside from social media — it’s free and easy to set up. For small businesses with limited resources, it’s often the most viable and affordable option for local SEO.

However, it’s not enough to have your business listed on Google and leave it at that. Google has specific guidelines for businesses listed on GMB and if you’re not careful, you may have your listing suspended. The frustrating part is that Google doesn’t exactly tell you why.

Here are some of the common reasons why your GMB listing was suspended:

1. Issues with business address

The most common reason for suspension is an issue with your business address, such as the following:

• Having multiple listings with the same address
• Using a UPS or PO Box for your business address (or sometimes, having an address near a UPS store)
• Using a residential address for a Service Area Business (SAB) listing
• Using an address for a shared workspace/virtual office

For more information about Google’s guidelines for addresses, check their guide here.

2. Issues with business phone number

Another common issue is with the business phone number. Google recommends using a local phone number instead of a call center/central number (i.e., it must be as direct as possible).

Premium-rate business numbers and mobile numbers are also not allowed.

3. “Spammy” edits

Surprisingly, making too many changes to your listing all at once can also trigger a suspension. The reason is that Google flags this as suspicious (spammy) activity. To avoid this, it’s recommended to make just one or two changes at a time, and then make the other couple of changes about 30 minutes after.

4. Misleading business description

There is an extensive list of content that is not allowed for business descriptions. A few common ones to avoid are the following:

• Content that contains private/confidential information (e.g., government-issued IDs, personal financial information, transcripts that contain personal information, etc.)
• Content that focus too much on special promos/discounts
• Offensive/prohibited content (e.g., sexually explicit/suggestive content, hate/harassment/bullying content, illegal products/activities, etc.)

5. Irrelevant business name

Your business name should be consistent with what customers see on your business website, storefront, and other marketing collaterals. Other things to avoid in your business name:

• Trademark/registered signs (e.g., use Starbucks instead of Starbucks™)
• Marketing taglines (e.g., simply use McDonald’s instead of McDonald’s’ I’m lovin’ it)
• Fully capitalized names that are not acronyms, even if the name is stylized that (e.g., use Subway instead of SUBWAY)
• Unnecessary special characters (e.g., Shell Pay@Pump), unless it’s part of your real-world representation (e.g., Re/Max and Toys ’R’ Us are acceptable)
• Unnecessary information, such as store codes, phone numbers/website URLs, and location—these should be in their allocated fields in the listing, not in the business name.

The Next Steps to Take After a Google My Business Listing Suspension

As mentioned, Google does not provide the exact reason/s for your suspension. The best course of action is to investigate the problem and review Google’s guidelines.

Afterwards, simply fill out a reinstatement request and wait for around 72 hours for Google to respond.

Boost Your Online Presence with Digital Marketing

Google My Business is but one of the many tools at your disposal for digital marketing. If you need more help in boosting your business’ online presence—whether it’s creating a professional company website, social media, designing and creating marketing content—Ilfusion is here for you.

To know more, send us an email at [email protected] or call us at 888-420-5115.

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