Google business profile (GBP), also called Google My Business (GMB), is one of the most critical properties that any business must have to enhance visibility in the local search listing. To small and local organizations, GBP is the most powerful (free) marketing tool that is directly linking them to local customers via Google Search and Maps.

A surprise to thousands of businesses every year is profile suspension. In this article, we are going to review what a Google Business Profile is, how it is supposed to be set up correctly, the most frequently seen reasons why it is suspended, and the most essential thing of all, how to get out of the suspension and become successful.

What is Google Business Profile?

Google Business Profile is a free directory offered by Google, which enables businesses to display their presence on local search (at the city level) results and the Google maps. It contains such crucial details of the business labelled as name, address, phone number, hours of operation, services, products, photos, and consumer reviews.

• Customers are assisted in this listing.
• Search and navigate to find your business.
• Read and get to know their services as well as the time they operate
• Get in touch by phone or instructions
• Read and review comments that would contribute to further purchase.

A GBP listing in its rightly optimized state is amongst the most potent instruments of local SEO and customer acquisition.

How to Create a Google Business Profile

The creating process of Google Business Profile is simple; however, accuracy is essential. The key steps are here:

1. Visit at https://business.google.com/in/business-profile/
2. Log in using your Google sign-in.
3. Write down the name of your business as it is in industry boards and other legal papers.
4. Select the type of the business that suits your services.
5. Include an address in case you have a location where you deal with customers. In case you make home calls or drop-offs, choose the category of business, which is service area business, and determine your area of operation.
6. Use a confirmed cell phone number and a functional URL of the web site.
7. Confirm the verification through postcard, telephone, or by email.

Ensure that there are no discrepancies among your GBP and other listings in business. Google has an automated review system, and mismatched addresses or names indicate a red flag.

Google Business Profile Suspension What Does It Mean?

This is a suspension, which implies that Google has flagged your listing because you have failed to comply with any policy, and this may result in being removed entirely in search, or in your account being blocked with limited opportunities to manage your profile.

Suspensions are of two kinds:

Hard Suspension: Your page is fully deleted in the search and maps of Google. This is normally as a consequence of more severe or visible offenses like the usage of a fake address or a business that is not entitled to GBP.

Soft Suspension: Users can still see your listing, though it is unverified and you cannot edit or manage it. Frequently caused by suspicious changes or the policies.

Why Google Business Profiles Get Suspended

The causes of a suspension may be a direct and not so obvious deviation of the Google policies. The following list consists of the most frequently found causes, which are gathered with the help of the expert materials including Search Engine land, Search Engine journal, and Professor M.

1. Prohibited Addresses Use

An inappropriate address type is one of the main causes of hard suspensions. This includes:

1. UPS Store addresses or P.O Boxes.
2. Unless you have a staffed and permanent location with signs, that would be virtual offices.
3. Addresses characterized by receiving customers without being physically seen.

Businesses without large concentrations of clients at one geographic location must conceal their address.

2. Keyword Stuffing in Company Name

Your actual legal or storefront name must be matching your GBP business name. Using the location name or services to achieve search advantage like, “Plumbing Pros Chicago-Best Emergency Service” does not comply with the Google naming policy. Such listings are frequently blocked based on reports by users or on automated inspection.

3. Modification/ Editing That Is Redundant or Suspicious

Utilizing the power to make fast and substantial modifications to vital information, including the name of a business, its category, telephone number, or address, may cause suspicions on the part of the Google system. These changes can be suspicious by themselves, and in case of established profiles, the profile will be temporarily suspended and reviewed manually.

4. Several Entries with Regard to the Same Business

Posting additional listings of the same business (or address) is a violation. Other owners are trying to get the additional exposure and open profiles of sub-services or distinct departments (e.g. "Plumbing Division" and "HVAC Division") at the same roof. This contravenes the guidelines of Google.

5. Work of High-Spam Categories

Some industries are in greater scrutiny as abuse rates are high. These include:

1. Locksmiths
2. Lawyers
3. Pest Control
4. HVAC Services
5. Rehab Centers
6. Marketing Agencies

How to Fix a Suspended Google Business Profile

Based on being put on suspension, your efforts ought to be aimed at locating the violation, eliminating it and compiling the best of cases to be reinstated.

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Step 1: Read the Suspension Notice

Google typically serves a suspension notice that includes general information of why suspension might of occurred and reasons (e.g., policy violation or misleading content). This is not a clear email but it is your point of departure.

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Step 2: Audit Your Profile Against Guidelines

Revise the whole GBP listing and match it to the guidelines offered on the official Google Business Profile site. Note especially:

• Business name
• Category selection
• Address eligibility
• Hours of business
• Contact information and web-site

Also, check the accuracy of consistency with your web site and other citations (Yelp, Facebook, directories).

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Step 3: Fix All Issues Identified

Corrective actions:

• Drop irrelevant keywords in the name of the business.
• Find a smaller service radius or conceal your location.
• Remove redundant ads of the same business.
• Provide official documents (business license, utility bills) to certify your genuine identity.

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Step 4: Filing a Reinstatement Request

After correction is done, get over to the reinstatement request form on Google and fill it diligently. Include:

• Name of your business and GBP ID.
• An explanation of the reasons why you were suspended and what you have altered.
• Attach the evidences that include utility bills, business registration documents, tax certificates, signage photographs, and lease agreements.
• Have all identifications equal the name and address in your GBP profile.

Google will usually reply in 3-7 business days. Once approved, you will have your profile back to the full extent. When refused, you can have one appeal.

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