Google Business Profile Suspended? Here’s A Step-By-Step Recovery Plan

At My Business On Maps, we recognize how troublesome it can be for a business owner to reinstate their suspended Google Business Profile. For them, their Google Business Profile (GBP) is their key driver of business success, alongside a business listing solution. Seeing a drastic drop in their local visibility is sure to cause significant distress. However, seeing a suspended profile is never meant to stress them out, as Google allows them to appeal the suspension. Let’s shed some light on a brief, step-by-step guide on recovering a suspended Google Business Profile (GBP).

Step 1: Diagnose The Suspension

Before you try to reinstate a suspended Google Business Profile (GBP), you first need to diagnose the reason for suspension. Here’s how you need to proceed with identifying the severity and reason for suspension.

Identify The Type Of Suspension

Start by figuring out what type of suspension your profile actually has. Broadly, there are three major types of suspensions as outlined below. Here’s what each type looks like.

Soft Suspension

Your business would still be visible on Google Search and Maps, but you won’t be able to manage it from your dashboard or take any action.

Hard Suspension

Your listing would completely vanish from Google and other search results, including all reviews and photos. You won’t have any control over the listings, as they won’t have any online presence.

Account Level Suspension

It happens when the Google account used to manage the business (whether the owner or a manager) is suspended for spam or policy violations. In this case, all business profiles linked to that account will also get suspended.

Review The Reason

Next up in the process is reviewing the reason for the suspension. Look for an email from Google or a red banner visible in the GBP dashboard. Common triggers include keyword stuffing, using a virtual office/PO box, or inconsistency in NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information across the web.

Step 2: Audit And Fix Violations

Before you plan to appeal, you need to assess and fix probable issues in your Google Business Profile. It’s because submitting an appeal with a profile that still violates Google’s guidelines will likely result in another denial. Here are the key fixes you need to consider.

Business Name

Your business name on Google Business Profile must match the signage you use in the real world. Remove any present promotional keywords like Best, Top, etc., and keep what’s real.

Address Consistency

Next, ensure the address matches the official documents character-for-character. If you are operating a Service Area Business (SAB) and don’t have a storefront, hide the physical address from the public.

Categories

Selecting the wrong business categories is another potential guideline issue that you need to avoid. Ensure you select only the most relevant primary and secondary categories.

Check Users

Check all current users managing the business and remove any managers with a history of managing suspended profiles.

Step 3: Gather Proof Of Legitimacy

This is where you will compile all the necessary documents before submitting your appeal to Google for reinstatement of your profile. You will need clear, official documents of your business to prove it’s real. It’s best to gather all these proofs in a single folder before starting an appeal. Here’s what you need to show your business’s legitimacy.

Official Registration

Business license, GST/Tax certificate, or articles of incorporation.

Utility Bill

A gas, electric, or internet bill dated within the last 60 days showing the exact business name and address.

Physical Evidence

Get high-resolution photos of permanent street-facing signage. A 30–60-second video walkthrough of the building exterior, entrance, and workspace would be highly effective.

Step 4: Submit The Official Appeal

Google recommends not creating a new Business Profile for the same business while your appeal is under review. To submit an appeal, you have to use the Google Business Profile Appeals Tool.

Select The Profile

Log in to the linked Google account and choose the business that’s been suspended.

State Your Case

Briefly and professionally explain what you did to fix the profile before submitting the appeal. For example, it could be “I updated our name to match our legal license.”

Upload Evidence

Once you open the evidence form, you will have exactly 60 minutes to submit your documents, or they won’t be attached. After that, you will be prompted to add optional evidence to the linked form to support your appeal. Some options to consider include official business registration, a business license, tax certificates, and utility bills for the business. Whichever option you choose, ensure it has the same business name and address as your Google Business Profile.

Step 5: Monitor And Follow Up

After submitting your appeal against profile suspension, it’s time to be patient. Know that you’re not the only business appealing a profile suspension.

Wait Patiently

Initial reviews typically take 3-7 business days, while complex cases can take several weeks.

Avoid Changes

While your request is under review, it’s advised not to make any further edits to your profile or submit additional appeals, as doing so can reset your place in the queue.

Check Status

Use the Appeals Tool to track the progress of your appeal. See whether it mentions submitted, approved, or not approved.

After The Decision

Once approved, your listing will go live, though it may take 48 hours for all features to be restored. After it gets restored, update the profile and keep it active. If the appeal is denied, review Google’s email for the mentioned reasons. Fix the mentioned reasons and submit a second appeal with stronger evidence.

Key Tips To Avoid Future Suspensions

Business owners, regardless of their business type, must adhere to Google’s guidelines to prevent future suspensions. Here are some essential tips they need to keep in mind to ensure they never face the same issues again.

• Don’t edit your profile too frequently, as major changes can trigger a review.
• Always use a legitimate physical address, not a co-working space or UPS store.
• Ensure you check your profile for spammy user-generated edits.

My Business On Maps – Business Listing Solutions You Can Trust

At My Business On Maps, we understand that a Google Business Profile suspension doesn’t mean it cannot be recovered. While Google might have had its own reasons for the profile suspension, a business can appeal if it believes the suspension was unreasonable. Reinstating a Google Business Profile isn’t as complicated as it might seem to many. It just requires following a few essential steps to revive the suspended profile. The above guide briefly outlines the essentials a business needs to recover its suspended business profile successfully.

Those seeking a business listing solution provider or wanting to opt for Google Maps listing optimization can contact us at My Business On Maps. With us, you will be freed from the hassle of managing or optimizing your business listings. We’ll take care of everything from start to finish, ensuring your business performs well across the online. Connect with us today and embark on a new journey towards business growth.