How to Avoid Getting Your Google Business Profile Suspended
If you’re a local business owner, having your Google Business Profile suspended can be a nightmare. Your profile might disappear from Google entirely, leaving you without a valuable marketing channel. Worse yet, Google rarely provides specific reasons for suspensions, leaving you to fumble around trying to figure out what went wrong. Luckily, there are a few common reasons that Google suspends profiles, and they’re all avoidable.
1. Address Violations
Google has some strict rules about the types of addresses that are allowed on Business Profiles. Using a P.O. Box, UPS Box, virtual office or co-working space address is not allowed, except in very specific circumstances. If you rent a dedicated office in a co-working space with permanent signage, can see customers at your office, and have someone staff the office during business hours, you might be allowed to use the co-working address on your Business Profile.
Using your home address as your business address when you don’t have permanent signage and don’t see customers there is also not allowed. For example, if you run a service area business and work out of your home but travel to customers to perform services, you can’t use your home address on your Business Profile. Google Maps can easily detect these violations, and it’s only a matter of time before you get caught.
2. Profile Changes
Changing your business name, address, phone number, or categories on your Business Profile can trigger a suspension. Google might view such changes as suspicious because most businesses don’t make these kinds of changes regularly. Think carefully before making any significant changes to your Business Profile to avoid triggering a suspension.
3. Keyword Stuffing
Don’t try to add extra keywords to your business name to rank higher. You might experience a temporary boost in rankings, but Google will suspend your profile eventually. The best practice is to use your legal business name only as your Business Profile name.
4. Shared Addresses and Phone Numbers
Two businesses sharing the same address or phone number is not allowed on Google Business Profiles, except in specific situations like car dealerships with separate car repair businesses or office buildings with multiple businesses. Creating multiple Business Profiles at your home address or creating more than one business at one location is not allowed. Violating these guidelines will result in a suspension.
5. Someone Reported You
If someone reports a violation on your Business Profile directly to Google, your profile might get suspended. Google has a neighborhood watch-like program allowing anyone to suggest edits to your profile. If someone suggests an edit to fix one of your violations, your profile might get suspended. To avoid this, make sure you follow all of Google’s guidelines.
In conclusion, getting your Business Profile suspended can be devastating for your local business. Avoid the five common reasons for profile suspensions by following Google’s guidelines, and you won’t have to worry about losing an essential marketing channel. If you need any help, feel free to contact the Augusta SEO services experts at Bridgewell Marketing.
