Has your business listing suddenly disappeared from Google Search and Maps, or have you noticed you can’t manage your listing? You might also receive notification from Google about a suspension. If so, it's a clear signal that your profile has undergone restrictions.
🔍 A suspended or disabled Google Business Profile (GBP) can significantly impact a business, especially those that rely on local search visibility to attract customers.
For instance, imagine you own 'Sydney Coffee Shop' that thrives on foot traffic in a bustling neighbourhood. If your GBP is suspended, it disappears from Google Maps and search results.
💁This means potential customers can no longer find your shop's location, read customer reviews, or check your opening hours online.
For businesses where foot traffic and local visibility are crucial, this loss of online presence can lead to a noticeable decrease in customers and, subsequently, sales. This example underscores how crucial a well-managed Google Business Profile is for maintaining business operations and growth.
Why Google Might Suspend or Disable Your Business Profile
Understanding the common reasons for GBP suspensions can help you avoid potential pitfalls:
- ❌Violation of Google’s Policies: The most common reason for suspension is non-compliance with Google’s operational and content standards. This includes misleading information, inappropriate content, or spammy behaviour.
- 🔂Duplicate Listings: Having multiple listings for the same business can confuse customers and is against Google's policies. This often results in one or all of the profiles being suspended.
- ⚠️Inaccurate Information: Providing incorrect business information, such as wrong addresses, phone numbers, or business names, can lead to suspension. Google aims to provide accurate information to users and inconsistencies can trigger a review.
- ⛔Inactivity: An inactive profile that is not regularly updated may also be flagged for suspension. Google prefers active profiles that provide up-to-date information.
- 🚨Suspicious Activity: Any unusual activity, such as sudden changes in business information or multiple reviews from the same IP address, can raise red flags for Google.
How to Recover a Suspended Google Business Profile?
Recovering from a suspension involves a few clear steps:
- 💡Identify the Cause: Refer to the email from Google regarding the suspension for specifics. If the reason is not clear, review your business profile for any potential guideline violations.
- ✅ Make Necessary Corrections: Adjust your business profile to adhere strictly to Google’s guidelines. This may involve updating your business name, address, and removing any prohibited content.
- 📂 Compile Supporting Documentation: Gather legal documents that verify your business’s legitimacy, such as a business licence or proof of physical location.
- 📩Submit a Reinstatement Request: Once you have corrected any issues, submit a reinstatement request through the Google Business Profile Help Center. Provide detailed information about the steps you’ve taken to address the issues.
- 🔍 Monitor Communication: Keep an eye on your email for any communication from Google regarding your request. Be prepared to provide additional information if requested.
How Long Does the Reinstatement Process Take?
⌛ The time it takes to restore a suspended Google Business Profile after submitting an appeal can vary. Typically, it can take anywhere from five days to several weeks. Each case is reviewed individually, and the complexity of the issue can affect the duration of the review process.
⚡To potentially speed up the process, ensure that your appeal includes all necessary documentation and a clear explanation addressing the reasons for suspension as outlined by Google.
⏰It’s also a good idea to regularly check the email associated with your Google Business Profile for any updates or requests for additional information from Google.