A suspended Business Profile usually means Google thinks something on it breaks its guidelines: most often the address, the business name or the business type. You can usually get it back by fixing the cause and submitting an appeal with clear proof that your business is real.
Here's how to work out what went wrong and what to do, from a local SEO company in Denver.
Two kinds of suspension
| Limited ("soft") | Disabled ("hard") | |
|---|---|---|
| What you see | Profile still shows publicly, but you can't manage it | Profile removed from Maps and Search |
| Usual cause | A recent edit or a verification issue | A guideline violation Google considers serious |
| How to fix | Verify ownership again or request access | Fix the cause, then appeal with evidence |
The message in your Business Profile dashboard usually tells you which you have.
Common causes
- Address problems. A mailbox, PO box, virtual office or coworking desk you don't really use. See service-area vs storefront profiles.
- Keywords in the business name. "Smith Plumbing Denver Best Emergency Plumber" instead of "Smith Plumbing".
- Showing an address when you're a service-area business, or hiding it when customers visit you.
- Duplicate profiles for the same business at the same address.
- Ineligible business type, such as online-only businesses with no in-person contact with customers.
- Sudden big edits, such as changing name, address and category at once.
- Suspicious reviews, such as many reviews in a short time from new accounts.
How to fix it, step by step
- Don't create a new profile. That usually makes things worse.
- Read Google's guidelines and find what on your profile doesn't match them (Google's guidelines).
- Fix the cause first. Remove keywords from the name, hide the address, or move to an address that qualifies.
- Gather evidence. Business license or registration, a utility bill or lease in the business name, photos of signage, vehicles or equipment, and a link to your website with the same name and phone.
- Submit an appeal through Google's Business Profile appeals tool in your dashboard, with the evidence attached.
- Wait and watch your email. Reviews can take days or weeks. Don't submit several appeals at once.
While you wait
- Keep your website, Bing Places and Apple Business Connect listings up to date, so customers can still find you
- Keep asking customers for reviews on other sites
- Check that your name, phone and address match everywhere
How to avoid it next time
- Use your real business name, exactly as on your signage and paperwork
- Use a real, qualifying address
- Make large changes one at a time
- Never buy reviews or use review services that post them for you
- Follow our Google Business Profile checklist
FAQ
How long does reinstatement take?
It varies, from a few days to several weeks. Clear evidence usually speeds it up.
Will I lose my reviews?
Usually not. When a profile is reinstated, its reviews generally come back.
Can an agency get my profile back faster?
No one can skip Google's review. An agency can help you find the cause and prepare a strong appeal. See our Google Business Profile optimization service.
