A suspended Google My Business listing can be a real nightmare for a business. Overnight, your local visibility disappears from search results, and you lose direct contact with your customers. Worse still, the suspension sends out a negative signal, tarnishing your credibility with users.
But what does a listing suspension really mean? And why does Google apply these restrictions? The answer lies in the three possible levels of suspension: the Google account itself, the Business Profile account or the listing itself. Each level has its own specific causes, consequences and solutions.
To act effectively, it’s essential to understand these mechanisms, identify potential errors and implement corrective measures. Fortunately, experts like Business eReputation are here to support you in this complex process. With their know-how, you can not only restore your record, but also prevent future suspensions.
In this article, we’ll explore in detail the three levels of suspension, their main causes and the steps to remedy them. Get ready to regain control of your local visibility!
What is a Google My Business listing and why is it so important?
A Google My Business listing (now called a “Google Business Profile”) is an essential tool for all businesses looking to boost their local visibility. It enables key information to be displayed directly on Google search results and on Google Maps, such as company name, address, phone number, opening hours and even customer reviews.
In a world where the majority of consumers search for local businesses online, a well-configured Google My Business listing is a powerful lever. It improves local SEO, attracts local customers and reinforces a company’s credibility. With just a few clicks, users can obtain the information they need and interact directly with the brand.
However, this strategic role comes with certain responsibilities. A poorly managed listing, or one that violates Google’s rules, can result in sanctions up to and including outright suspension. Such an interruption means an immediate loss of visibility, the impossibility for customers to find or contact you, and a direct impact on your sales.
Worse still, a suspended listing can give the impression that your company is no longer operational or that it lacks seriousness. It can also damage your reputation if the suspension is not dealt with quickly and correctly.
That’s why it’s crucial to understand the rules governing Google My Business listings, and to adopt a proactive management approach. More than just a tool, this listing is a digital shop window that needs to be monitored as carefully as a physical store.
The three levels of suspension: understanding and identifying the problem
When a Google My Business listing is suspended, it’s essential to understand where the problem lies. Google can impose restrictions at three distinct levels, each with its own specific causes, consequences and solutions. Let’s take a closer look at these three levels.
Level 1: Google account suspension
This first level of suspension directly affects your entire Google Account. In other words, all services associated with this account, including Google My Business, become inaccessible.
Common causes:
- Suspicious account activity (connections from unusual or repeated locations).
- Non-compliance with Google rules, such as misuse of tools.
- Non-verification of account or significant security breaches.
Consequences:
This is the most penalizing suspension, as it blocks all your account-related activities: management of Google My Business listings, access to email via Gmail, to Google Drive, and so on.
Example from a customer: She used her gmail account in an emailing tool on a mail database bought online… 2 days later, her google account was suspended and qualified as a spammer. and so was her Google Business profile and her GMB file!
Solutions:
- Access your Google Account to check the nature of the problem.
- Update security settings (password, enable two-factor authentication).
- Respond to Google’s verification requests by submitting the required documents (proof of identity or business).
- Call in professional assistance if the account remains inaccessible.
Tips :
A paid “Google Workplace invividual” (or pro) account has a dedicated google support for this kind of problem and google has behind the account a paying entity and a validated identity.
Level 2: Suspension of Google Business Profile account
In this case, the suspension specifically concerns your Business Profile account, which enables you to manage your Google My Business listings. Your Google account remains functional, but you can no longer manage your listings.
Common causes:
- Creation or management of multiple records for a single company (not Google-compliant).
- Errors or inconsistencies in the data entered on your Business Profile.
- Addition of content deemed inappropriate by Google (images, descriptions, etc.).
Consequences:
The impossibility of modifying or updating your files, which can lead to a loss of relevance and credibility with your customers.
Customer example: My customer, a GMB fan, had a paid pro tool to manage and modify all his listings. Since local SEO was very important, he also had SOLOCAL pages connected to his google listings. One day, he had to change the phone number of these records on SOLOCAL, his other tool remodified the number in its database, SOLOCAL remodified etc. etc. etc. The two tools made so many successive modifications that his account was suspended.
Solutions:
- Analyze any warnings received in your Google Business Profile dashboard.
- Identify inconsistencies or contentious elements, such as duplicate records or erroneous information.
- Submit a reconsideration request to Google after correcting any detected errors.
Tip: take a brand-new individual pro account next door, and put the cards on it.
Level 3: Suspension of Google My Business listing
Suspension of the listing itself is the most frequent level. In this case, one or more specific listings are deactivated, but your Google Account and Business Profile remain active.
Common causes:
- Incorrect or misleading information (name, address, telephone number).
- Non-compliance with business categories authorized by Google.
- Prohibited practices: false reviews, over-optimized keywords in listing names, duplication of listings.
- Reports of violations by competitors or malicious users.
Consequences:
The suspended listing no longer appears in search results or on Google Maps. Customers can no longer interact with your company via the listing, considerably reducing your local visibility and potentially damaging your image.
Solutions:
- Carry out a complete diagnosis to identify the causes of the suspension.
- Check that all listing information complies with Google’s requirements: NAP (Name, Address, Phone) consistency, choice of categories, deletion of any contentious content.
- Submit a reconsideration request via your Google Business Profile dashboard.
- If the review fails, contact an expert like Business eReputation for in-depth analysis and direct assistance with Google.
Summary of suspension levels
For each level, the key is to understand the source of the problem before taking action. If the suspension affects the entire Google Account, it’s usually a security issue. A Business Profile suspension often indicates management errors, while a listing suspension is linked to specific violations of Google’s policies.
In all cases, a rapid, methodical response is essential to limit the impact on your business.
How to avoid suspension and protect your Google My Business listing (400 words)
Anticipating a Google My Business listing suspension is essential to preserve your company’s visibility and credibility. By applying rigorous best practices and complying with the rules imposed by Google, you can considerably limit the risks.
Respect Google’s rules as soon as you create your listing
From the outset, it is essential to follow Google’s instructions:
- Consistent, accurate information: use verified, identical data across all your platforms (name, address, phone – also known as NAP). Inconsistencies between your channels can be perceived as suspicious by Google.
- Choosing the right categories: avoid categories that are ambiguous or irrelevant to your business.
- No excessive keywords in the title: your business name should be used as it is, without the addition of keywords.
Regularly monitor your profile and your interactions
A well-managed file is a protected file! This means :
- Regularly updated information: opening hours, services, photos, etc.
- Customer review management: encourage genuine reviews, respond politely to negative comments, and report fake reviews to Google.
- Check for alerts: monitor notifications or warnings in your Google My Business dashboard to react immediately.
Avoid dubious practices
Certain actions, often ill-intentioned or clumsy, can lead to suspension:
- Don’t create duplicate listings to increase your online presence.
- Don’t post false reviews, whether positive for you or negative for a competitor.
- Avoid overly optimized or misleading descriptions: be clear, precise and honest.
- Don’t buy reviews
Audit your file regularly
A regular audit enables you to identify and correct anomalies before they become problematic. You can :
- Check consistency of information with local directories.
- Control automatic modifications suggested by Google.
- Ensure that no external action (abusive report, hacking attempt) compromises your file.
Anticipate problems with experts
If you manage several files or your business is particularly exposed, calling on experts like Business Ereputation is a strategic option. Their expertise enables them to secure your listings, intervene in the event of a threat and ensure constant monitoring to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Why call in an e-reputation expert to resolve a suspension? (300 words)
When a Google My Business listing is suspended, the process of restoring it can quickly become complex and frustrating. Google applies strict procedures, and a misinterpretation of the causes or an inadequate response can prolong the suspension, or even worsen the situation. This is where an e-reputation expert like Business Ereputation comes in, able to offer professional, personalized support.
Fast, accurate diagnosis
An e-reputation expert begins with an in-depth analysis of your listing to identify the exact causes of the suspension. Whether it’s a problem of inconsistency, a violation of the rules or an external attack (such as an abusive report or false reviews), this diagnosis is essential to taking effective action.
Direct management of exchanges with Google
The procedures for requesting reconsideration from Google require a perfect understanding of the platform’s expectations. Our experts know the steps to follow, the documents to provide and the arguments to put forward to maximize the chances of success. Their experience enables them to act quickly and limit the risk of rejection.
Prevent future suspensions
Once the plug has been restored, an expert not only solves the problem, but also implements preventive strategies. These include:
- Regular audits to check the conformity of the file.
- Monitoring of notices and suspicious modifications.
- Proactive management to boost your visibility and credibility.
Why choose Business Ereputation?
With recognized expertise in digital crisis management, Business Ereputation can help you every step of the way: from recovering your listing to protecting your online presence. Thanks to their professional approach, you’ll save time, avoid costly mistakes and quickly regain your local visibility.
Is your card suspended? Don’t let this affect your business. Contact Business Ereputation today for a quick and efficient intervention!
Our expert vision!
A suspended Google My Business listing can have disastrous consequences for a company’s visibility and reputation. Lost customers, lower sales, weakened credibility: every day without a solution makes the situation worse. Understanding the three levels of suspension – Google Account, Business Profile or My Business listing – is essential to quickly identify the problem and take effective action.
However, given the complexity of the reactivation process and Google’s strict requirements, it’s easy to make mistakes that further delay restoration. That’s why professional support is often the key to solving the problem quickly and preventing it from happening again.
Business Ereputation, experts in e-reputation management and online presence protection, are your best allies in recovering your suspended listing. Thanks to their expertise, they guarantee a precise diagnosis, tailored solutions and a sustainable strategy to secure your local visibility.
Has your Google My Business listing been suspended? Don’t let your business fall off the radar. Contact Business eReputation today to regain control of your listing and give your business the attention it deserves!
