A suspended Google My Business (GMB) listing is frustrating because it affects one’s business directly based on the volume of online visibility and consumer trust. In this scenario, when your GMB listing becomes suspended, potential customers will no longer find your business on Google Search and Maps, which would mean lost business opportunities and low credibility.
It all begins with the establishment of the cause for suspension. Suspensions from Google arise for varied reasons, such as violating GMB guidelines, inappropriate business information, duplicate listings, or suspicious activities. Having established the reason, ensure that all business details, name, address, phone number, and website, are correct and consistent on other platforms. Correct disparities that might have caused suspension.
Submit an appeal to Google stating the reason behind the appeal with any supporting documentation, such as proof of physical location of the business. Keep calm and patient because Google is going to take time to review the appeal, possibly a few days.
You are to keep an eye on your GMB listing in case you get reinstated. Once reinstated, continue checking for compliance. In this way, you can recover from suspension of a GMB listing with the help of best practices and proactivity while recovering.
Understand the Reason for GMB Suspension
Know why your Google My Business listing is suspended before you begin to solve it. Google has suspended listings due to a multitude of reasons and knowing why this happened to your listing will be sure to make sure that such a problem doesn’t happen again.
Some common reasons for GMB suspension are as follows:
Violation of GMB Guidelines: Google has guidelines that businesses need to follow. Requirements are that your business name, address, phone number, and so forth are listed correctly. Suspended is liable if there happens to be a discrepancy in the listing such as listing a virtual office instead of a storefront.
Incorrect or Deceptive Information: The improper presentation of your business information like your name, address, or telephone number might be a cause of Google’s suspicious flag for your listing. Your business information must look the same in your website or other online directories.
Duplicate Listings: Multiple listings of the same business can confuse both Google and customers, which will lead to suspension. Google favors businesses to have only one listing for each physical location.
Suspicious Activity: If Google feels that there are suspicious activities, such as changing your business details repeatedly, login attempts from unknown locations, or activity inconsistency, then it may suspend your listing due to security concerns.
Review and Correct Your Business Information
Once you have learned why your GMB listing has been suspended, check all information you provided for your profile. All the data should be accurate, updated, and in full accordance with the Google policy. Do not forget to pay special attention to:
– Business name: It should match what’s on your physical storefront, website, or any legal business documentation.
Business Name Example: Mumbai Web Design (MWD)
– Address: Ensure that the address is correct and corresponds to your actual physical location.
Business Address Example: E1, Sarova Complex Rd, Phase 1, Samata Nagar, Singh Agri Estate, Kandivali East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400101
– Phone number and website: These should be consistent and functional.
Business Number, Website Example: +919967857485 , www.mumbaiwebdesign.in
– Categories: Make sure you select the correct categories for your business type.
Categories Example: website design and Woo-Commerce development , digital marketing
Appeal the Suspension
You may submit an appeal if you think suspension was wrong. Go to Google My Business’s support page from your Google account. Be detailed while explaining corrections, including reasons you may have done those corrections, which indicate why you need your account to be reinstated.
When writing your appeal:
– Be clear and concise.
– Attach any documents that can support your claims (e.g., proof of address or ownership).
– Don’t submit multiple appeals unless necessary, as this can slow down the process.
Wait for Google’s Response
This would require waiting while Google looks at your case, as appeals processing typically takes Google a few days, although in many cases it varies according to how complex the issue is. An email is received in the case of successful appeals as Google will let you know if your listing is reinstated or not. However, sometimes, Google will seek more information and clarification regarding an appeal. It is essential to respond immediately and provide all information requested so that the matter may be resolved promptly. Continue to check your e-mail for further updates as responding promptly may make the process more efficient.
Prevent Future Suspensions
Once you have your GMB restored, focus on how to avoid the suspension in the future. There is a high likelihood that your business will not be suspended and, therefore, not disturb your online presence if you follow best practices and remain compliant with Google’s guidelines. Here are some key strategies on how to avoid future GMB suspensions:
Follow Google’s Guidelines
Always adhere to the official GMB guidelines from Google. This encompasses accurate business information, such as a real physical address if it is applicable, the correct business name, phone number, and website. Refrain from using misleading terms or keyword stuffing in your business name.
Keep Information Consistent Across Platforms
Ensure that your business details will be the same from all websites, social media, to your site and other business directories. Suspension may be due to disparities in your business name, address, or phone number.
Do not duplicate listings
Ensure that there is only one GMB listing for every business location. Multiple listings for the same business confuse Google and customers. It may get suspended. Duplicates should always be checked upon, and then request removal, if necessary.
Continuously Monitor Your Listing
Make sure to keep abreast of any changes in your GMB listing. Check the details every so often for any errors and correct them to make sure everything stays current and updated. If a change occurs within your business, such as moving to a different address or updating your phone numbers, update the listing.
Be Cautious with Third-Party Services
Although third-party services may assist in your online presence, watch out for those that offer fast results or exploit dubious methods to promote your GMB listing. Google might even punish your account if it identifies such tactics as fraudulent or manipulative.
Answer Customer Reviews and Complaints
Engage your customers regularly by responding to reviews and addressing complaints. Ignoring feedback or engaging in suspicious activities, such as generating fake reviews, can lead to penalties.
Conclusion
Reinstatement of a Google My Business suspension requires patience, diligence, and a commitment to ensuring your business listing complies with Google’s guidelines. With this knowledge, you can rectify the problem, submit an appeal, and successfully restore your GMB listing. Protect your listing by following best practices, and you’ll maintain a strong online presence for your business in the long term.