Google may suspend your Google Business Profile (GBP) or Google Maps listing for a wide range of reasons. Here are the common reasons you may get the “Your Profile Has Been Suspended” email.
Automated Moderation System
Google’s Automated Moderation System is responsible for profile suspensions when your profile or associated Google email/account is deemed to have violated Google’s Terms of Service.
When this system suspends your Google Business Profile, it’s likely because:
- The email account associated with the Google Business Profile has been flagged and restricted.
- The content on your Google Business Profile violates Google’s terms & services.
- Possible flags around your current business name, category, phone number, or address.
- Google needs you to prove the legitimacy of your business profile and the details provided
Google Business Profile Name Change
Changing or modifying your Google Business Profile Business Name is another way to attract a suspension or re-verification request.
In most cases, a name change will always attract the most severe punishment (suspension) to ensure businesses aren’t gaming the maps system to insert keywords or gain unfair advantages.
If your business has recently had its name changed, you should seek expert help to navigate such an issue, especially because Google’s support team may frown at processing name changes and instead recommend creating and verifying a new business listing with no clear way to merge historical reviews to the newly created profile.
Primary Category Changes
Changing the primary category associated with your Google Business Profile can earn you an automatic suspension. In some cases, Google may also disable your business profile and make you jump through some hoops, along with long wait times, to discourage the action.
Changing your primary category without a real reason or the right documentation can also lead to a permanent loss of both your business profile and its historical data. It is recommended that you work with a professional who is familiar with the category change process to ensure your request is treated without negative impacts on your profile and local visibility on Maps.
Primary Phone Number Change
Changing the primary phone number associated with your Google Business Profile can also lead to a suspension being handed down to you.
This is especially true if you have verified the business profile via the phone number that is being edited out.
Google’s latest policies against phone number changes often helps businesses protect themselves from Business listing hijacking, but can also have real, negative impacts on legitimate business owners who simply wish to update their phone numbers.
Speaking to a specialist before or after such a change (and the attendant verification or suspension) can help solve the listing issue as quickly as possible.
Primary Address Changes
Address changes on your business profile, especially when you have a physical address listed on Maps, can lead to a re-verification trigger or a suspension email.
It’s important that address changes be handled by a professional, especially if you wish to avoid the downtime associated with suspension and reinstatement requests.
How To Fix Google Business Profile Suspensions
Each Google Business Profile suspension reason listed above require a different approach to solving.
To ensure that you get your profile reinstated, you should:
- Audit and identify why your Google Business Profile was suspended
- Correct the issue
- Gather required documents and ensure they align with the information provided on your Google Business Profile.
- Submit an Appeal and wait.
Unlike in the past, Google now offers only ONE chance at appealing profile suspensions. When not done the right way, getting your local listing back can become significantly harder (not to mention becoming a lengthy process that’ll affect your local visibility).
Need Help Recovering Your Suspended Google Business Profile?
Let MapMech help you diagnose and reinstate your suspended business profile. Our team has experience reinstating over 1,000 Google Business Profiles, including additional appeals after your first reinstatement request has been denied.
Let’s help you get back your business profile and ensure your continued visibility in Local Maps.
