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Did you get an email from Google stating that your Google business profile has been suspended? While this can be quite frustrating, there are several steps you can take to appeal the suspension and restore visibility to your Google Business Profile. This guide will help you understand what it means to have a suspended Google Business Profile and what actions you can take to resolve the issue.

Why Does Google Suspend Business Profiles?

A suspension of your Google Business profile typically happens because Google suspects that you are violating one of its guidelines. This can result in your profile being taken down, which can be detrimental for businesses that depend on their profile to connect with customers. There are two main types of suspensions that you might encounter:

  • Soft suspension – This happens when your profile is unverified, causing you to lose management access. However, your profile may still appear on Google Search and Maps and can continue to receive reviews.
  • Hard suspension – This results in the complete removal of your business listing from Google Search and Maps, making it no longer visible to the public.

So, how does Google decide that a business is not following its guidelines? Here are a few common reasons why a suspension might occur:

  • Keyword stuffing – This occurs when a business name includes excessive descriptive terms that go beyond what is necessary.
  • Address issues – These arise when a listing features a P.O. box, a UPS store address, or a virtual office, which can lead to violations. Moreover, if a Service Area Business lists a physical location, it can also create complications. Online businesses that operate solely on the internet and do not offer in-person services are ineligible for a Google Business profile.
  • Inaccurate information – Your profile must align with the details on your website, including hours of operation. Any discrepancies can be flagged by Google.
  • Suspended Google account – If a manager of a Google Business profile is suspended, the listing will also be suspended.
  • Duplicates – Having multiple listings for the same business is a violation of Google’s guidelines.

Owners or managers will be notified of the suspension via email from Google. Additionally, they can check their profile in the Google Business Profile Manager and use the suspended filter to review their listings.

How to Submit an Appeal for Google Business Profiles

To begin the process of getting your Google Business Profile live on Google again, you’ll want to follow the following steps to submit an appeal:

  1. Gather the right evidence – Google prompts you to add different types of evidence to support your appeal. Documents that can be registered as evidence include:
    • Your official business registration
    • Tax certificate
    • Utility bills such as electricity, phone, gas, water, sewage, and internet

You’ll want to ensure that the evidence displays your business name and address to match the profile you’re submitting an appeal to. Including evidence is extremely important and will support your appeal to Google.

  1. Appeal your profile – To submit your appeal, you’ll want to be signed into the Google account where the profile is. Select “confirm” to appeal and follow all steps, including submitting your evidence. Once the appeal process is open, you’ll have 60 minutes to submit evidence. Once you go through the process, click “submit” and wait to hear back from Google.
  2. Review the status – By utilizing the Google Business Profile appeals tool, you can find the status of your appeal, such as whether it was submitted, approved, or eligible for appeal.

After you finish these steps, you’ll get an email letting you know whether your appeal was accepted. If it’s rejected, you can ask for another review and submit additional documents to support your case. You’ll also have the opportunity to explain why your account should be approved and detail any changes you’ve made to your Google Business Profile to ensure it complies with Google’s guidelines.

Stay Proactive and Ensure You’re Meeting Google’s Guidelines

Having a suspended profile can be stressful and negatively impact a business, so it’s important to actively meet Google’s guidelines. Stay up to date on different ways to navigate Google and its ongoing requirements with our blog:

About the Author

Caroline Vahue

Caroline is an Account Manager at Sixth City Marketing and has been at our agency since 2023. Her role is to ensure clients are reaching their marketing goals and also assist on executing SEO strategies. Before joining our company, she graduated from John Carroll University with a major in Marketing and a minor in Entrepreneurship.