Google Business Profile Suspensions Just Became Slightly Less Painful
- Colleen Brabender
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
If you've ever had a Google Business Profile suspended, you know it's about as much fun as stepping on a Lego barefoot. Thankfully, Google just made one part of the reinstatement process a little less painful. Until recently, you had to submit your suspension appeal first and then race against a 60-minute clock to upload all your supporting evidence. Miss the deadline? Better luck next time.
Now, Google lets you upload your evidence at the same time you submit your appeal, making the entire process much simpler and reducing the chance of important documents getting left behind. We love seeing Google remove unnecessary hoops, especially when business owners have enough on their plates already.
That said, the easiest suspension to fix is the one you never get. Here are the three biggest reasons we see Google Business Profiles get suspended in the first place:
The Easiest Mistakes to Make on Your GBP:
Keyword Stuffing Your Business Name: If your legal business name is "Smith Plumbing," don't change it to "Smith Plumbing - Best Emergency Plumber in Dallas - Water Heater Repair." Adding extra keywords might seem like a shortcut to better rankings, but it's one of the fastest ways to attract Google's attention for all the wrong reasons.
Using an Invalid Address: Google has strict rules about the types of addresses that qualify for a Business Profile. Using a virtual office, a P.O box, or a home address that doesn't meet Google's guidelines can easily trigger a suspension.
Changing Critical Business Info: Updating your business name, address, phone number, primary category, or website isn't something Google takes lightly. Making major changes can cause Google to question your business’s legitimacy.
The good news is that avoiding a suspension is easier than most people think. Follow Google's guidelines, keep your business information accurate, and resist the temptation to "outsmart" the algorithm with shortcuts. If you do find yourself suspended, Google's updated appeals process should make getting reinstated a little smoother now that you can submit all your evidence from the start. From there, you’re in a perfect position to start optimizing your profile. Start your MWW, our fully automated GBP optimization AI, today with a FREE AUDIT and you’ll be ranking at the top of Google Maps before you know it!
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