Google Business Profile Suspended? What to Do Next

You go to check your Google listing and it has gone, or there is a red "Suspended" notice in your account. For a business that gets work from Google Maps, it is alarming. It is also more common than you would think, and usually fixable. The important thing is not to panic and make it worse.

First: what not to do

• Do not create a new profile. A duplicate breaks the rules and can turn a temporary problem into a permanent one.
• Do not appeal straight away. If you appeal before fixing the cause, it is likely to be rejected.
• Do not make a flurry of edits. Lots of changes at once can look suspicious.

Why it happens

Google rarely tells you the exact reason. These are the most common causes for trades:

• Keywords in the business name. Your profile name must be your real trading name. "Smith Roofing" is fine. "Smith Roofing - Flat Roof Repairs Leeds" is not.
• Address problems. Virtual offices, PO boxes and mailbox addresses are not allowed. Neither is an address where you do not actually operate.
• Showing an address when you should not. If customers do not visit your premises, Google expects you to hide the address and list service areas instead. See service-area businesses explained.
• Duplicate profiles for the same business.
• A lot of changes at once, such as name, address and category together.
• Higher-risk categories. Some trades, including locksmiths and plumbers, get extra scrutiny because of past abuse by fake listings.
• Reports from other people, including competitors.
• Misleading content or fake reviews.

Step 1: read the guidelines

Google publishes its guidelines for representing your business. Read them against your profile, line by line. Most suspended owners spot the problem at this point.

Step 2: fix what you find

Correct the business name, hide the address if you travel to customers, remove anything misleading, and make sure the details match your website and paperwork.

Step 3: gather evidence

You will need to show the business is real and operates where you say it does. Useful documents include:

• A utility bill or business rates bill in the business name
• Business insurance documents
• Your Companies House or HMRC registration
• Photos of your sign-written van, tools and any signage
• Trade registrations such as Gas Safe or NICEIC

The name and address on the documents should match the profile.

Step 4: appeal

Use Google's official appeal process, which you can reach from the suspension notice in your account. Explain briefly what you found and fixed, attach your evidence, and be factual and polite.

Step 5: wait

Decisions can take anything from a few days to a few weeks. Do not submit repeat appeals in the meantime.

While you are suspended

Your website still works and can still be found in the normal results, which is one good reason not to rely on the map alone. Keep answering enquiries as usual.

Avoiding it in future

• Use your real name, address and category.
• Make changes one at a time.
• Keep the account under an email you check, so you see any warnings.
• Set it up properly from the start with our checklist.