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Dealing with a “google business profile suspended” situation can leave you scrambling for solutions. You need to know why it’s happened and how to respond effectively. This clear-cut guide directly addresses the causes for a google business profile suspended, distinguishes between soft and hard suspensions, and walks you through the process of getting your profile reinstated without the fluff. Get ready to learn how to quickly turn things around and protect your online presence.
Key Takeaways
- A Google Business Profile suspension can result from guideline violations and may lead to either soft or hard suspensions, with varying degrees of impact on business visibility and operations.
- Professional agencies, like That! Company, can assist businesses in managing and optimizing their Google Business Profiles, helping prevent suspensions by adhering to Google’s policies and guidelines.
- To recover from a Google Business Profile suspension, businesses should thoroughly review and correct any guideline violations, submit detailed reinstatement requests including evidence to Google, and wait for feedback before taking further action.
Understanding Google Business Profile Suspensions
A Google Business Profile suspension can feel like a punch to the gut, especially if it’s an integral part of your digital marketing strategy. It’s a punitive measure taken by Google when a business violates its guidelines and policies. The severity of the suspension varies, with two main types: soft suspensions and hard suspensions.
A soft suspension means the business listing remains visible to users, but the business owner loses admin access. On the other hand, a hard suspension not only revokes admin access but also removes the listing from Google Search and Google Maps, seriously affecting your business operations.
Soft Suspension
While a soft suspension doesn’t make your listing invisible, it does present a roadblock in managing or updating your business information, including responding to reviews or posting updates. Your customers can still find your business on Google Search and Google Maps, but you’ll be in a frustrating limbo of not being able to fully control your listing.
Hard Suspension
A hard suspension is a more severe penalty. It strips away your listing’s visibility on Google’s platforms and can lead to a drastic drop in business calls and other activities. It’s a harsh measure, but one that Google deems necessary for severe violations.
Trying to circumvent a hard suspension by creating a new listing only compounds the problem, leading to further loss of reviews and ranking power.
Having Trouble? Use The Agency The Best Agencies Use
If you’re already knee-deep in the murky waters of GBP suspensions, or if you’re trying to avoid such a calamity, you might consider enlisting the help of a professional white label digital marketing agency. One such agency that’s worth considering is That! Company. They offer the best local SEO/GBP Optimization services and have served over 500 agencies across the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia.
That! Company provides scalability for Agency partners, enabling them to grow their clientele without the corresponding rise in overhead that typically comes with expansion. Their expertise spans across SEO, PPC, and social media marketing, which translates into superior results and increased satisfaction for clients. Partnering with That! Company allows you to concentrate on your primary business functions while they handle the intricate aspects of digital marketing. This symbiotic relationship not only enhances the capabilities of agencies but also ensures that their end clients receive top-tier services in the ever-evolving digital landscape. The collaboration with That! Company means agencies have more resources to focus on strategic growth and client relationships, while leaving the technical and specialized tasks to seasoned professionals.
Common Causes of Suspensions
Understanding why suspensions occur is the first step in avoiding them. Common causes include keyword stuffing, making false claims about services, or minor mistakes in listing completion. Businesses may also face increased risk of suspension if they belong to high-risk categories, share the same address or phone number with other businesses, or if there are inconsistencies like variations in the business name or capitalization.
Google generally notifies businesses of suspensions, providing reasons but not always detailed specifics. They advise consultation of their official guidelines for a better understanding of the suspension. Let’s delve deeper into some of these common causes.
Address Violations
Address violations can happen when businesses use P.O. boxes, UPS boxes, or virtual office addresses. Google requires physical addresses where customers can visit, and a co working space address can only qualify if it includes dedicated office space, permanent signage, customer reception, and business staff available during business hours.
Residential addresses are acceptable only if the service area business serves customers at the residential location.
Keyword-Stuffed Business Names
It might seem like a good idea to pad your business name with keywords for better SEO, but this can lead to a hard suspension. Google’s algorithms and manual reviewers are designed to detect when business names contain an unnatural number of keywords, flagging them as violations.
To prevent suspension, use your official business name on Google My Business without adding any unauthorized descriptors. You can hire a white label digital solutions expert to help you as well.
Multiple Listings at the Same Location
It’s tempting to create more than one business profile for different services at the same location, but this is a common reason for Google Business Profile suspensions. Google may hide some listings in map searches when multiple businesses share the same address, showing them only when a user zooms in closer.
Businesses need to maintain unique identifiers for each profile to prevent suspension.
Steps to Reinstate Your Suspended Google Business Profile
You’ve received that dreaded suspension notice. What’s next? First, don’t panic. It’s possible to get your Google Business Profile reinstated. The first step is to understand why your profile was suspended. Once you’ve identified the problem, rectify any issues by making necessary corrections or changes as per Google’s guidelines.
Next, submit a written email explanation to Google with supporting evidence for the reinstatement request, including:
- Detailed and accurate business information
- Additional documentation, such as proof of your business’s storefront signage or legal business entity
- Pictures of the storefront
- A comprehensive summary of your business operations.
Assess and Rectify Issues
Before applying for reinstatement, it’s crucial to understand the specific reason for suspension as indicated by Google to rectify the issues effectively. This means confirming that your website information, including name, address, and phone number, is consistent with your Google Business Profile to enhance the chances of successful reinstatement.
Addressing advised updates and minor violations in a timely manner can prevent further or future suspensions.
Complete the Reinstatement Form
After rectifying any issues, you’ll need to complete the Google My Business reinstatement form. This form allows you to communicate directly with the Google reinstatement team. Be sure to accurately fill out the form, including your business information such as name, address, and contact details. You’ll also need to submit any necessary evidence within a 60-minute window after starting the appeal process.
Await Google’s Response
After submitting the reinstatement form, you’ll need to wait for Google’s response. This typically takes around three days, although the entire process can take anywhere from 1-7 days under normal circumstances. If there’s no response within a week, you can send an email to Google asking for updates on your reinstatement request.
During this period, refrain from creating a new listing to avoid complications, and submit only one reinstatement request to avoid delays.
Handling Rejection of Your Reinstatement Request
Rejection is tough, especially when you’re trying to reinstate your Google Business Profile. Don’t lose hope, though. If your reinstatement request gets denied, follow these steps:
- Review your business profile against Google’s guidelines to identify where you might have gone wrong.
- Compile additional supporting documentation, like photos or legal documents.
- Attempt another appeal or seek further help from Google My Business support.
Remember, there’s a limit to the number of times a reinstatement request can be made without receiving automated replies. So, each appeal should be carefully and accurately prepared. And most importantly, maintain patience during the reinstatement process, allowing adequate time for Google to review your appeal and respond appropriately.
Review Google’s Guidelines
After a rejection, it’s crucial to review Google’s guidelines to understand where you might have gone wrong. Ignoring this step can lead to a dead end in the reinstatement process. By carefully reading Google’s guidelines, you can identify potential issues and resolve them effectively.
Provide Additional Evidence
Sometimes, providing additional evidence can make a difference when appealing a rejected reinstatement request. This can include photos of the storefront, permanent signage, and a walkthrough video of the office to demonstrate your business’s physical presence. Even if Google does not divulge specific reasons for suspension, you should still provide evidence substantiating your eligibility and compliance.
Preventing Future Google Business Profile Suspensions
Now that you’re aware of how to handle a suspension, let’s pivot to prevention. Regularly reviewing and adhering to Google’s latest guidelines is essential to prevent future Google Business Profile suspensions. Additionally, keeping your business information accurate and up-to-date across all online platforms, including your Google Business Profile and social media, can help maintain a suspension-free profile.
After your Google Business Profile has been reinstated, wait several days before making any changes to the listing to minimize the risk of resuspension. For businesses in high-risk categories like lawyers or plumbers, following best practices and engaging in local SEO strategies can reduce suspension risk and ensure adherence to local laws and regulations.
Regularly Audit Your Profile
To prevent inconsistencies and suspensions, regularly audit your Google Business Profile. That means setting up a regular schedule, like monthly or quarterly reviews, to identify and address any issues with your profile before they escalate to a suspension.
Changes to core profile information such as the business name, address, or phone number could be flagged as suspicious activity, potentially leading to suspension.
Keep Your Information Updated
Keeping your business information up-to-date is vital for maintaining a healthy Google Business Profile. Ensure all your business details, including:
- Name
- Address
- Phone number
- Website
- Business categories
- Hours of operation
are accurate and consistent.
Don’t forget about your visuals, too. Using high-quality images that accurately represent your business can enhance user experience and prevent suspension.
The Role of Digital Marketing Professionals
Sometimes, managing a Google Business Profile can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with suspensions. That’s where digital marketing professionals come in. They can help with:
- Maintaining Google Business Profile compliance
- Regularly auditing profiles to ensure information is accurate
- Implementing proactive strategies such as ongoing profile optimization to safeguard against potential triggers of suspension.
Beyond compliance and reinstatement, digital marketing professionals can also offer their expertise in local search optimization to improve your online business visibility. This can be invaluable in driving more foot traffic to your physical store locations and increasing your sales conversion rates.
Local Search Optimization
One of the advantages of working with a digital marketing professional is their expertise in local search optimization. This is crucial for businesses aiming to enhance their online visibility specifically for customers in their geographical area, directly influencing higher in-store visits and sales conversion rates.
Partnering with a local SEO agency offers local businesses expertise in search engine optimization tailored to their industry’s needs and leads to improved local search engine rankings.
Suspension Recovery Assistance
Digital marketing professionals like a white label ppc management service can also assist with recovery from Google Business Profile suspensions. They can develop customized recovery plans focusing on improved online presence and audience targeting. Professionals with Google certification can access exclusive resources such as beta features, dedicated support, and training, which can be crucial for recovery from Google Business Profile suspensions.
Summary
In conclusion, dealing with a Google Business Profile suspension can be a daunting task. However, with a clear understanding of Google’s guidelines, a well-prepared reinstatement plan, and potentially the help of digital marketing professionals, it’s possible to recover your profile and prevent future suspensions.
Remember, your Google Business Profile is your business’s online storefront. It’s crucial to maintain it with the same care and attention that you would your physical store. By doing so, you not only safeguard your online presence but also build a solid foundation for your business’s success in the digital world. You can also seek help from a white label SEO company to do all these repair.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a Google business suspension last?
A Google business suspension lasts until the issues leading to the suspension are resolved, and Google reinstates the profile after a review of your reinstatement request.
How do I reinstate my Google Business Profile?
To reinstate your Google Business Profile, don’t panic and reach out to the Google My Business Support Community for advice and submit a reinstatement request. Wait for a response and avoid making edits until the reinstatement is confirmed.
How do I fix my suspended Google Account?
To fix your suspended Google Account, you’ll need to open a new account and go through the entire verification process again, ensuring you meet all guidelines and resolve the issue that caused the suspension. The suspended account can’t be restored by a Google administrator or support.
What’s the difference between a soft and hard suspension?
The main difference between a soft and hard suspension is that with a soft suspension, the business listing remains visible to users, but the business owner loses admin access, whereas with a hard suspension, the listing is completely removed from Google Search and Maps. Therefore, it’s crucial to address any issues promptly to avoid a hard suspension.
What are common causes of Google Business Profile suspensions?
Address violations, keyword stuffing in business names, and having multiple listings at the same location are common causes of Google Business Profile suspensions. Be mindful of these factors to avoid suspension.
