Your Google Business Profile Has Been Suspended 😉
Scared you, didn’t I? Now that I have your attention, let’s make sure emails like this never appear in your inbox. Google Business Profile (GBP) suspensions are on the rise. If you’ve recently experienced or heard about profiles getting suspended left and right, you’re not alone. Because of this new uptick in suspensions, the appeals process is being delayed by several business days, leaving many businesses in a bind.
Wondering why this is happening all of a sudden? Google has been laser-focused on maintaining the integrity of its platform, especially since the March core update, which has been resulting in more suspensions than usual.
Common Ways Profiles Are Getting Suspended
- Keyword Stuffing in Your Business Name: It might seem tempting to load your business name with keywords to rank better, but resist the urge. Stick to your actual business name and avoid adding any unnecessary keywords.
- Changing the Phone Number, Address, or Primary Category: Google sees updates to the core info of a business as a red flag, especially if they seem inconsistent. Only make changes to this info when absolutely necessary.
- Using a P.O. Box or Virtual Address: Google wants to ensure that businesses listed are real, physical locations where customers can actually visit. Using a P.O. box or a virtual office address instead of your real, physical location is a surefire way to get suspended.
- Violating Terms of Service on Other Google Tools: Your actions on other Google platforms can impact your GBP. For example, issues with your Google Ads account could potentially lead to problems with your GBP. Always stay in good standing across all Google services.
The bottom line? Play by the rules. The inconvenience of a suspension far outweighs the short-term gains of trying to game the system. Stay compliant, and your Google Business Profile will continue to be a powerful tool for attracting local customers.
Get ahead of your competitors and take the top ranking spots while they deal with the suspension process by signing up for Paige, our fully automated Google Business Profile manager!
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