Why Isn't My Business Showing Up on Google

If your local business website and online listings need to be properly optimized for Google, you avoid missing out on valuable customers. With Google's dominance in local search, your business needs to be visible to attract both current and potential customers. An optimized Google My Business listing is crucial for enhancing your online presence. However, if your business is not showing up on Google Maps or in Google search results, it can significantly impact your ability to attract new customers. Understanding why your business isn't appearing on Google or Google Maps is essential to resolving these issues and ensuring that your business is easy to find online. Keep reading to discover the most common issues and how to fix them.

Your Google My Business Isn’t Claimed and Verified

Simply opening a Google My Business (GMB) account isn’t enough to ensure your business will rank and appear in search results. One of the first steps to fixing the issue of your business not showing up on Google Maps is to claim and verify your business.

Not sure if your business is verified? Start by searching for it on Google. If you see the message "Own this business?" under your listing, it means your business isn’t verified. Google will provide various options for verification, such as by postcard, phone, or video verification.

Once your business is verified, it will begin to show up on Google Maps when people search for it. 

How to Fix It

You need to verify your Google My Business listing to resolve the problem of the business not showing up on Google Maps. Google offers several verification methods—by phone, email, or postcard—depending on the nature of your business.

To improve your ranking in search results, ensure that your listing is complete and accurate.

Enhance your listing by adding photos, videos, and a detailed business description. Engage with customers by responding to reviews and answering potential buyers' questions to boost your online presence further.

After completing the verification process, it can take up to 14 business days for Google to review and approve your listing. Once your Google My Business listing is validated, you can edit it to improve visibility and ensure your business shows up prominently in Google search results.

Your Business Information is Incorrect or Inconsistent Across the Web (NAP Citations)

NAP Consistency is Crucial for Local SEO Success, ensuring that your most up-to-date Name, Address, and Phone number are accurately listed online.

To help Google discover, define, and rank your business for relevant search queries, make sure you use the correct category and a detailed description on your Google My Business (GMB) account. Additionally, review your business citations on other sites and directories to confirm that your company’s name, address, website, and phone number are consistent across all local directories, apps, and listings. Besides Google Maps, this includes platforms like Yelp, Facebook, Apple Maps, Yahoo, Bing, and others.

How to Fix It

Fixing the issue of your business not showing up on Google Maps requires ensuring that your business information is accurate across the web. Given the sheer number of listings and directories, regularly checking and updating them for accuracy can be challenging.

Maintaining correct and consistent business information across various platforms is crucial. This task can be time-consuming, but it’s a necessary step for improving your business’s visibility in search results. Those who appear at the top of Google searches are often the businesses that have successfully managed their online presence across all platforms.

Your Business Listing Has Been Suspended

If my business isn’t showing up on Google, there are potential reasons that your Google My Business (GMB) listing has been suspended. This can happen if you unintentionally or knowingly violate Google’s guidelines, leading to your business listing being removed from search results.

Common reasons for suspension include:

• Posting inappropriate content

• Providing unclear or misleading business details

• Operating an online business with no physical location

• Creating duplicate or multiple listings for the same business

How to Fix It

If your business is not showing in Google Maps due to a suspension, you can work to reinstate your listing by correcting any issues that led to the suspension. After making these corrections, you can submit a reinstatement request using the form provided by Google. Depending on the type of suspension, Google may lift the suspension, allowing your business to be visible again to potential customers and resolving the issue of your business not appearing on Google.

Read also: Reinstatement Guide on Google Business Profile 

Using Too Few, Too Many, or the Wrong Keywords

The other reason why isn’t my business showing up on Google might be due to incorrect keyword usage. Keywords are the phrases people type into Google when searching for services, like "HVAC services in Melbourne." If your Google Business profile, directory listings, and website lack relevant keywords, Google may struggle to understand your business, resulting in your business not showing up on Google Maps or in Google searches.

How to Fix It

• Research Relevant Keywords: Think about the phrases your customers use when searching for your services. Tools like Google Trends or Keyword Planner can assist in identifying the most impactful keywords.

• Incorporate Keywords Smoothly: Seamlessly integrate these keywords into your Google Business profile, directory listings, and website content. Avoid keyword overuse, as it can detract from your search ranking.

• Optimize Your Website: Make sure your website reflects these keywords in its content, titles, headers, and meta descriptions to enhance relevance.

• Evaluate and Refine: Regularly assess your SEO performance and adjust your keyword strategy as needed. SEO is a gradual process, so stay patient and keep refining your approach.

Using keywords effectively can address the issue of your business not appearing on Google or Google Maps.

Learn more about searching Google reviews by keywords 

You’re Not Growing Your Google Reviews

Google reviews are most important for your business to grow and if your business isn’t showing up on Google Maps or in search results, it might be because you’re not actively growing your Google reviews. Reviews are a critical factor in local search rankings, as Google favors businesses with a strong collection of authentic reviews. Fake reviews, while sometimes used, are easily detected by Google and can lead to your business being pushed lower in search results or even suspended.

How to Fix It

Encourage Genuine Reviews: Most customers are happy to leave a positive review if you simply ask. Consider setting up an automated system to request reviews from customers.

Respond to Reviews: Engage with all reviews—both positive and negative—graciously and professionally. This shows potential customers that you value feedback and improves your reputation.

To efficiently collect, monitor, and manage reviews from multiple channels, Cloodot is an excellent choice. It helps you beat the competition by increasing your review volume, enhancing your online visibility, and driving more revenue. 

Your Listing Doesn’t Have Category Tags

A useful feature that Google provides to increase your business's visibility on Google Maps is the use of category tags and if your “my business listing is not showing up on Google, it might be because your listing lacks category tags. Category tags are labels that help Google understand what type of business you operate. For example, if you run a “restaurant,” this should be your primary category tag. Additional categories, such as the “vegan food menu,” can specify the services you offer.

How to Fix It

Add Primary and Secondary Categories: Go to your Google My Business (GMB) profile and select a primary category that best describes your business. Then, add secondary categories to cover specific services you provide.

Ensure Accurate Tagging: Make sure all categories are relevant to your business. Accurate and specific category tags help Google understand your business better and improve your visibility on Google Maps.

You Share an Office Space

Google doesn’t favour multiple businesses listed at the same address unless they are clearly distinguished. This can result in issues like your business not showing up on Google Maps.

How to Fix It

Add a Suite Number: If possible, include a suite number or other specific identifier in your address to differentiate your business from others in the same building.

Contact Google Help-desk: If you can’t add a suite number, reach out to Google Help-desk for advice on how to handle shared office spaces and ensure your business is properly listed.

You Recently Added or Changed Your Business Location

If you’ve recently updated or changed your business address on Google Maps, this could be why your business isn’t appearing. Google Maps updates can take time, and if you’ve recently added or changed your address, your business might not appear immediately.

How to Fix It

Wait for Google Maps to Update: If you recently added or changed your address within the last three days, wait for Google Maps to update. It may take a few days for your new location to appear.

Verify Address Change: If your address change isn’t showing up, you may need to verify the new location with Google. Request a verification postcard to update your address and ensure it is correctly reflected on Google Maps.

Ensuring your business is properly categorized, managing office space issues, and handling recent address changes can help resolve why your business isn’t showing up on Google.

It can be frustrating trying to determine why your business isn’t showing up on Google Maps, but one common reason might be a lack of reviews. Collecting and managing customer reviews is crucial for visibility. Working with a review management tool like Cloodot can help you effectively gather and leverage reviews to improve your business's presence on Google Maps. you can effortlessly collect, monitor, and leverage reviews to boost your business's visibility, outpace competitors, and increase revenue.