A Google My Business page is an exceptional tool because it allows you to list your business on a leading search engine and increase its visibility. After listing your company, it will also show up on Google Maps and hyper-localized results. For brick and mortar shops, a Google My Business page is especially important. Let’s say you’ve just moved to a new neighborhood and you want to know what grocery stores are in your area. A Google My Business page connects the customer to local stores and gives them quick information about hours, contact details and more. It’s also free and extremely easy to set up.
If you already have a Google My Business page, you know just how vital it is to the success of your company. There’s no better way to spread brand awareness and attract new customers. However, if your listing is suspended and you’re unsure of the reason, it can be incredibly frustrating. When your listing isn’t available, potential customers won’t see your profile. Every moment that your listing is suspended is a missed opportunity. We’ll examine a few reasons for Google My Business suspensions below, along with what you can do about it. This is definitely something you want to avoid!
Keyword Issues
Google doesn’t want customers to have to deal with gimmicky marketing tactics. At one point, it was beneficial for companies to include extra keywords and characters in their business title. Now, doing this results in a soft suspension. Save your slogans for your meta description or written content on your website. When Google My Business asks for your company’s title, use the actual title and don’t crowd it with extra keywords. If your listing is suspended for this reason, you’ll regret it in the long-term.
Incorrect or Fraudulent Contact Information
In order to have a functioning Google My Business account, you need legitimate contact information. Google wants to ensure that your business is real in order to avoid misleading viewers. Your contact info should include:
- An accurate phone number, not a call center number
- An address in a permanent location that you own, not a P.O. box, a rented mailbox or a shared workspace
It’s also important to avoid creating multiple listings under the same business address. You cannot create several listings for virtual spaces that don’t exist, either.
Making Too Many Changes at Once
You don’t want to raise any red flags that could make Google suspicious of your activity. If you edit your profile repeatedly, Google may question the account. If you need to make changes, submit them sporadically to avoid a suspension. When you do edit your listing, make sure all the information is accurate and it matches the information on your website. Anything vague that could come across as strange should be avoided.
Violating the Rules
This is an easy one, but many business owners skip over Google’s list of regulations. As a result, they end up suspended without knowing why. A few violations that Google won’t tolerate are:
- Sharing copyrighted content of any kind
- Posting prohibited content
- Graphic images and written content
- Sharing sensitive customer data like credit card numbers
- Any involvement with criminal activity, including cyberthreats like phishing or malware
What to Do if Your Google My Business Profile is Suspended
Sometimes, glitches can occur even when you’ve done nothing wrong. If this happens, submit a reinstatement form or request to Google. You will be re-evaluated and, if your account is in good standing, your listing will be restored.
Do you want to ensure that your Google My Business account won’t get suspended? Gauge Digital Media can help you improve your marketing strategy in a number of ways. Our professionals will manage your ad campaigns, display ads across Google AdWords and Bing Ads, and collect data to enhance your brand. No matter what your goals are, our experts can help your business flourish. With us, you’ll never have to worry about your Google listings being suspended unexpectedly. Additionally, some of our other services include:
- Web Design
- Search Engine Optimization
- Pay Per Click (PPC) Advertising
- Graphic Design
- Social Media Marketing
- E-mail Marketing
Do you have any questions or concerns? Fill out this short form on our site and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. Let’s talk digital marketing and design!
We Are Here to Help Grow Your Business Online and Through SEO
Working with a professional digital marketing company is the best way to make the most of your website and all that Facebook Pixel, LinkedIn ads, Google Analytics and other digital advertising platforms have to offer. To learn more about the best digital marketing strategies for your company and reach a bigger audience than ever before, work with Gauge Digital Media. For a quote or to schedule a call, contact us at (443) 376-7709.
