Braelyn Ralston - March 31, 2025
Imagine this: You wake up, check your business online, and—bam!—your GBP (Google Business Profile – formerly known as Google My Business) is suspended. No warning, no apparent reason, and customers suddenly can’t find you. This nightmare became a reality for many businesses earlier this month when their listings were suddenly disabled. According to Yext, Google has since corrected the issue. Still, this situation highlights an important lesson: maintaining a well-managed profile is key to avoiding disruptions (and if you don’t want to manage this yourself, we’ve got you covered).
In early March 2025, Google Business Profile suspensions spiked without clear explanations. Businesses of all sizes and industries experienced sudden profile takedowns, preventing customers from accessing key information like location, hours, and contact details.
As suspensions skyrocketed, businesses saw appeal times stretch from five days to a frustrating five weeks. In today’s world, where smartphones guide us everywhere we go, a suspended GBP can result in lost revenue and damage to customer perception. GBP listings are as important now as the Yellow Pages were to small businesses before the Internet. While Google has resolved the issue, it serves as a strong reminder to be proactive in managing your profile to prevent potential disruptions in the future, which could have real consequences for your bottom line!
Here are a few Google Business Profile best practices to prevent potential issues and keep your profile running smoothly:
Make Changes Carefully – Changing details too often can raise red flags. Stick to essential updates, and try bundling changes together instead of tweaking your profile in multiple sessions. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t post regular updates—you should! Here, we’re talking about major details like your phone number, business hours, location pin, business name, or website. Make sure these updates are accurate and done in as few steps as possible to avoid unnecessary delays.
Be Strategic with Business Details – If you must update your business name, address, or phone number, triple-check accuracy before submitting. Even a small mistake can trigger a verification delay, leaving your listing inaccessible.
Avoid Keyword Stuffing – It’s tempting to cram your description full of keywords, but Google flags this as spammy. Instead of saying, “Best Atlanta Coffee Shop in Atlanta,” in your description, try saying, “Voted one of the best coffee shops in Atlanta.” It’s a subtle difference that is less subjective but still makes the point. Keep it natural and informative.
Ensure Your Profile Follows Google’s Guidelines – Google’s policies change frequently. Staying informed on best practices can help prevent issues before they start.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication – Go a step further to protect your account from unauthorized access by using two-factor authentication (2FA) on the Google account that manages your profile.
Regularly Check for Suspicious Activity – Monitor your Google Business Profile for unexpected changes or unauthorized edits, such as altered business hours or missing information.
Keep Business Information Consistent Across Platforms – Make sure that your business name, address, and phone number match exactly across your website, social media, and other directories to prevent discrepancies that could trigger verification issues.
Encourage & Respond to Customer Reviews – Google rewards engagement! Regularly replying to reviews—good or bad—tells Google (and potential customers) that your business is active and trustworthy.
Avoid Using Virtual Offices or P.O. Boxes – If you operate from a physical location, make sure your business address reflects a real storefront or office to comply with Google’s address guidelines.
Verify Ownership and Access Permissions – Regularly audit who has access to your Google Business Profile to ensure only authorized team members can make edits or manage your listing.
A suspended Google Business Profile doesn’t just mean fewer clicks—it means lost customers. If people search for your business and can’t find you, they might assume you’re closed or choose a competitor instead. Keeping your profile secure makes sure you stay visible, trustworthy, and ready for business while strengthening your local SEO presence.
Don’t wait until there’s a problem—stay ahead of the game! Our team keeps up with Google’s latest updates to ensure your business stays visible and protected.
Contact us today to keep your business profile running smoothly!
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