Google Business Profile suspensions are much more common than most business owners realize. One moment you’re ranking at the top of lucrative local search results and the next your profile disappears entirely.
You don’t just lose your rank, your profile is just gone. In a panic, you check your inbox and see an email from Google saying your profile has been suspended.
The reasons for suspension can vary, but the appeal process is basically the same. If you’re not intentionally trying to trick Google’s automated systems, then your suspension was probably triggered by some inconsistency in your profile settings, or a lack of evidence that your listing is legitimate.
This shows up as a “deceptive content” suspension most of the time. It can be very confusing because the email and online documentation is pretty unhelpful in explaining why you were suspended.
But if you get an email like this, you can assume that Google wants to see more proof that your business and office location are legitimate. Or, you might have some error (like a typo in your email) and need to fix that.
The problems are pretty straightforward…the solutions, well, it depends on your situation.
Your Google Business Profile Got Suspended, Now What?
Whatever the cause of your suspension, the appeal process is the same. You can appeal whenever you are ready to submit the required evidence.
The catch is, many users are reporting that you only get two appeals through the dashboard. And however many attempts you’re given, when your automated appeals are exhausted, you’ll have to go begging for assistance from Google’s support community. So it’s better to submit an amount of overwhelming evidence the first time, to ensure a quick recovery.
When you file an appeal, you only have 60 minutes from the time you start to complete the appeal and provide all the necessary evidence.
And there are limitations on the file size and the number of pieces of evidence you submit.
To make the process go smoothly, compile all your docs into less than 5 PDFs by category:
- Lease
- Bills
- Corp filing docs
- Signage
- Other proof of address
Then reduce their file sizes as much as possible before beginning the appeal process.
The secret to lifting suspensions quickly is providing an overwhelming amount of proof that you’re staffing a real location, with documentation that’s easy to skim and understand.
Do Not Create A New Google Business Profile If You Get Suspended
This is against the terms of service, it will most likely not work, and makes your appeal that much more difficult. Just be patient and follow the appeal process outlined in this article.
Don’t try to work around Google. When it comes to managing GBPs, you have no choice but to work with Google.
Review Your Google Business Profile Information For Accuracy
Check all your GBP settings, like business name, address, phone, website URL, and hours of operation, for potential issues. Make sure your website lists the same information exactly, on the page you link to from your GBP.
Even tiny errors can prevent your appeal from getting approved.
Algorithmic Suspension, Manual Appeal
When your Google Business Profile gets suspended, you lose all of your organic search traffic instantly, and all the business that comes from it.
It’s scary, and it feels unfair, but suspensions are far more common than you’d think because most suspensions happen algorithmically (and that often means they happen in error). Errors are so common, in fact, that there’s a very well oiled appeal machine working in the background.
The appeal process allows you to fix suspended Google Business Profiles, as long as you can provide the proof Google wants to see.
So don’t panic, just follow this simple guide on what to do when your Google Business Profile is suspended, and you’ll be back to ranking as quickly as possible.
What evidence is needed to appeal a Google Business Profile suspension?
Google’s documentation on GBP suspension appeals is not especially thorough, but the list of documents you that can help support your appeal is straightforward (and mostly makes sense):
- Lease or occupancy document
- Business license / registration
- Tax certificate or registration
- Utility bills
- Exterior and lobby signage
- Exterior photos
- Interior photos
- Other business documents
Now let’s review each of these options in detail, so you know how to present them and why they’re important.
Lease or occupancy document
Signed lease / rent agreement, or similar occupancy proof, that ties the business to the exact suite/unit and address shown on the GBP. A letter from the landlord will suffice if it includes the exact business name and address and is signed by a representative on company letterhead.
Business license / registration
Google’s documentation explicitly requires this evidence for appeals. It helps prove the company exists and that the address is not just a mailing address. If you are using a DBA name to optimize your GBP listing, you will need to provide both the original filing document and the DBA registration together.
Tax certificate or registration
Google documentation lists this as strong evidence for an appeal, but it’s not expressly required. But it’s only useful if it shows the same business name and location as the GBP.
Utility bill
Utility bills such as electricity, phone, water, and internet, with the business name and address listed on the GBP is very helpful in strengthening your appeal. And the current month’s bills are much stronger than past ones.
Exterior and lobby signage
Google says that you must have permanent on-site signage, and the name shown should match the Business Profile name exactly. It should appear on a permanent fixture such as a signboard, wall, or window, lobby direction, etc.
Exterior photos
Include photos showing the street number, suite number, neighboring businesses, street signs, and building exterior. Google’s verification guidance specifically asks for nearby landmarks, street signs, building numbers, or nearby businesses so it can match the location to Maps.
Interior photos
Show reception, office, work areas, desks, branded materials, inventory, paperwork, and other evidence that the location is occupied and used for customer-facing business.
Other business documents
Make sure the business name, address, suite number, website, and phone number on your documentation sync up exactly with your profile. There can be absolutely no difference. Details matter here.
How To File An Appeal For A Suspended Google Business Profile
With all your paperwork in order, filing the appeal is fairly simple: use Google’s official appeal tool and be ready to upload documentation as evidence of your profile’s legitimacy.
Here’s what that looks like, step by step:
- Open the Google Business Profile appeals tool
- Sign in with the Google account that manages the suspended profile
- Select the suspended Business Profile
- Review the restriction reason and linked policy for details
- Submit the appeal
- Submit your evidence immediately (you have 60 minutes)
- Wait for Google’s decision email
- Check the appeal status in the appeals tool
DO NOT SUBMIT MORE THAN ONE APPEAL. WAIT FOR GOOGLE’S RESPONSE.
If you follow this guide closely, your appeal has a better chance of getting approved on the first review.
Take your time, get it right, get back to business
Spending a little extra time making sure all your documentation is grouped, easy to read, easy to understand, and totally comprehensive, is worth it in the end because every second your suspension is active, you’re actively losing money.
Waste an extra hour or two here so Google doesn’t waste any time lifting your suspension so you can get back to making money.
Clear, extensive proof that your business details are accurate and legally legitimate is the key to a successful Google Business Profile suspension appeal. I’ve had appeals get approved in less than 12 hours this way before, so going the extra mile makes a real difference (though your mileage may vary).
Check your appeal’s status in the appeals tool. Your options are:
- Submitted
- Approved
- Not Approved
- Can’t be appealed
- Eligible for appeal
After a “Not Approved” decision from Google, your status will eventually change to either “Eligible for appeal” or “Can’t be appealed” depending on if you’ve exhausted your appeals or not.
Once your appeal is approved, you’ll receive an email notifying you of the good news and telling you that it could be up to a few days before you’ll see your profile live again. Wait that brief cooldown period and you’re back in business again!
The most important thing to remember is that you probably didn’t do anything wrong, and if you did, it’s usually easy to fix. It will take a little time and it is a bit of a hassle, I’m not going to lie; but it’s a solvable problem and a very common one.
Keep your wits, follow this guide, and it will all work out. And if you need help, reach out and we can talk about your options.
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