10 Reasons Why My Google Business Got Suspended

A Google Business Profile is a powerful marketing avenue tailored to local businesses engaging with customers face-to-face. Receiving a suspension notice for your Google My Business listing can be a cause for concern, leaving you wanting clarification about the reasons behind it and uncertain about your next steps. In the following information, we will provide a comprehensive guide on everything you should be aware of regarding your Google My Business listing is Google My Business suspended. 

Also read: How To Recover  Google My Business suspended Google Business Profile

What leads to the suspension of your listing?

1. Address violations in Google business profiles

Google has strict rules regarding eligible addresses for Google Business Profiles. Common violations include:

• P.O. Box, UPS Box, or virtual office addresses are not allowed.

• The exception for co-working spaces only applies if you meet specific criteria: a dedicated office, permanent signage, customer visits, and staff present during business hours (co-working staff don't count).

• Avoid displaying your home address in your Google Business Profile if you lack permanent signage and don't meet customers there.

• For service area businesses operating from home but serving clients off-site, don't display your address in your GBP.

• Violating these rules can lead to suspension, even if some businesses temporarily get away with it.

2. Stuffing the keywords

When Google detects excessive optimisation in your Google My Business profile, it may result in a listing suspension. This often occurs when keywords are excessively crammed into your description, offerings, posts, and other sections, negatively impacting the overall user experience. Such practices are discouraged as they can mislead users and disrupt the platform's integrity. Therefore, it's essential to maintain a balanced and user-friendly approach to your Google My Business profile to avoid potential suspensions.

Also read: How To Search Google Reviews by Keywords 

3. Duplicate addresses and phone numbers on Google business profiles

• Google typically discourages businesses from sharing the same address or phone number. 

• Exceptions are made for locations like office buildings, malls, and car dealerships with separate service/car repair businesses. This policy aims to prevent:

• Home-based businesses from creating multiple profiles at the same home address.

• One business from establishing multiple profiles at a single location.

For instance, a landscaper who ran a landscaping business from his home couldn't figure out why his new sod-laying business profile got Google My Business suspended. He had tried to create two profiles at the same address to improve his rankings, which goes against Google's guidelines. 

Instead, he should have added "sod supplier" as a category to his existing landscaping profile. Google seeks to maintain fairness and quality in business profiles, discouraging the creation of multiple profiles for ranking purposes.

4. Relocation and rebranding

Failing to inform Google about changes such as relocation or rebranding can lead to a suspension. This is important because if a user relies on Google My Business to find your old address, it can result in disappointment. Users encountering such inconveniences are encouraged to report them to Google, as illustrated in the image below.

5. Lack of Payment Details

Missing payment information on your Google My Business profile can lead to issues with customer transactions. Users may abandon purchases due to uncertainty about payment options or difficulties in making payments.

Ensure your GMB reinstatement profile includes comprehensive payment details, such as accepted credit cards, digital payment options, or any other relevant payment methods. This facilitates a smoother and more convenient shopping experience for your customers.

Incomplete or unclear payment information can result in a loss of sales and potential dissatisfaction among customers who are unable to finalise transactions.

6. Misrepresentation in online advertising 

Misrepresentation occurs when the information in your Google Ads does not align with the content on your website or landing page. This inconsistency can mislead customers and create a negative experience.

It's crucial to maintain accuracy and consistency between your ads, GMB reinstatement profile, and website. Ensure that the products, services, pricing, and other key details presented in your ads are reflective of what customers will find when they visit your website or business location.

Misrepresentation can damage your business's reputation and result in customer distrust, leading to lower click-through rates and conversions. Keeping your online information accurate and up-to-date is essential for maintaining a positive customer experience.

Also read:  How to Generate Google Review Links

7. Unsuitable website links

Inappropriate practices, such as redirecting website links or linking to irrelevant landing pages, violate Google My Business guidelines. Google is quick to detect these issues, which can lead to account scrutiny and potential penalties. To maintain compliance, always use the original and relevant website URL to ensure a seamless and trustworthy user experience.

8. Primary category: high-risk industries

For businesses in high-risk industries such as locksmiths, plumbing, home services, HVAC, and more, Google imposes stringent regulations. Even a single negative report or adverse review can trigger the suspension of your listing.

For example, consider a review where an HVAC business is indicated as not providing services despite receiving payment. Taking a screenshot of such a review can serve as evidence of potential issues in your Google My Business listing.

9. Inaccurate business hours

It's essential to maintain accurate and up-to-date business hours on your Google My Business profile, accounting for variations on different days, seasons, or months. Failing to do so and receiving reports of customer inconvenience can result in Google suspending your profile.

10. Fake review attempts

Google reviews play a pivotal role in shaping your local SEO, but Google is vigilant against fake reviews. Attempts to manipulate reviews using fake profiles can lead to penalties.

In the image below, the reviews lack evidence of having received the service, and it appears that these accounts have exclusively reviewed this business. Such suspicious activity may prompt reporting by Google or other users to GMB reinstatement moderators.

Google may suspend your profile for numerous undisclosed reasons, making it imperative to strictly adhere to their guidelines. It's crucial to be vigilant for common issues like inconsistent NAP (name, address, phone), brand name variations, keyword stuffing, and excessive multiple listings. 

Cloodot, a leading SaaS provider, offers AI-driven solutions for streamlined customer experience management, particularly with Google Business Profiles. Adhering to Google's guidelines is crucial to preventing profile suspensions. With Cloodot, you can stay ahead of competitors in search results, manage reviews, manage chat, and maintain a strong online presence seamlessly. 

Our platform allows you to oversee multiple Google My Business locations, enabling your team to respond to Google Maps reviews without accessing your original Google dashboards, ensuring a superior customer experience.

If you want to give it a try, sign up with Cloodot and get to know all the features or schedule a free demo call with our experts to learn more about Cloodot.