A business's Google Business Profile (GBP) is one of its most important assets in terms of reaching potential customers online and nearby, so the last thing you want is to commit one of the many common Google Business Profile violations that could potentially get your listing suspended.
By understanding key Google Business Profile policies, you can ensure your GBP adheres to Google's guidelines to keep it up and running smoothly. That way, customers who are searching for the goods and services you offer come across your profile when they're ready to pay you a visit or book an appointment.
What Are the Most Important Google Business Profile Policies To Understand?
The most important overarching Google Business Profile policy to understand is that you must accurately represent the business location.
In fact, filling out complete and accurate business information is the first step towards optimizing Google Business Profile to improve your online visibility.
This means no fudging your business hours to try and show up more in local search results (now that "openness" is a stronger ranking factor), no listing a residential address for a business, and various other things along those lines.
But that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to adhering to Google's GBP guidelines. There are many more specific Google Business Profile policies that you should be aware of in order to avoid common GBP violations.
These policies pertain to everything from the type of content you can add to your GBP, including permitted photos, videos, links, and posts, to the accuracy of your core business information, such as business name, hours, address, and categories.
To gain an in-depth understanding of these policies, we suggest thoroughly reading through Google's various GBP guidelines before or while setting up and optimizing your Google Business Profile.
But, to help you sidestep some of the most frequent issues, we've put together this list of common Google Business Profile violations and tips for avoiding them.
Common Reasons for Google Business Profile Suspension:
- Misrepresentation of your business: Providing false information about your business, such as incorrect business name, address, or phone number.
- Keyword stuffing: Using keywords in your business name field that are not part of your actual business name.
- Multiple listings for the same business: Creating multiple listings for the same business location, which is against Google's guidelines.
- Fake reviews: Creating or soliciting fake reviews for your business can lead to suspension.
- Inappropriate content: Posting content that is offensive, illegal, or violates Google's content policies.
- Ownership conflicts: Claiming a business listing that you do not own or have the right to manage.
- Repetitive or irrelevant content: Posting the same content repeatedly or posting content that is not relevant to your business.
Tips for Avoiding Common Google Business Profile Violations:
- Use your real business name: Ensure that the name you use on your profile matches your business's official name and is consistent across directories.
- Provide accurate information: Make sure your address, phone number, and other contact details are correct and up-to-date.
- Use relevant keywords: Only use keywords that are directly related to your business in the appropriate fields.
- Claim only one listing per location: If you have multiple locations, create a separate listing for each one.
- Avoid fake reviews: Do not create or solicit fake reviews. Encourage genuine customers to leave reviews instead.
- Post appropriate content: Ensure that all content you post, including photos, videos, posts, and review responses, complies with Google's guidelines.
- Follow ownership guidelines: Only claim and manage listings for businesses that you own or have the right to represent.
- Stay informed: Regularly review Google's guidelines and policies to ensure compliance.
What To Do if Your Google Business Profile Gets Suspended
If your Google Business Profile gets suspended, the first step is to review Google's email notification and/or your Google Business Profile dashboard for the reason behind the suspension.
Once you understand the reason, take appropriate action to address the issue. This might involve correcting inaccurate information, removing prohibited content, or resolving any ownership conflicts.
After making the necessary changes, submit an appeal through the Google Business Profile dashboard explaining the steps you've taken to resolve the issue.
Be patient, as the appeal process can take some time. In the meantime, continue to monitor your email and dashboard for updates from Google.
The Bottom Line
Google Business Profile is a powerful — not to mention totally free — tool that businesses can use to connect with more customers online. It's also your most important asset in the world of local SEO.
In the fierce competition of local search rankings, it can be tempting to take shortcuts or bend the rules to try and outrank competitors, but it's simply not worth it! The risks of a Google Business Profile suspension far outway the potential benefits of employing questionable tactics.
Plus, there are plenty of ways to optimize your Google Business Profile while adhering to Google's policies and guidelines, so you can legitimately fight your way to the top of the local pack!