We address common hurdles in managing your Google My Business (GMB) profile from combating spammy listings to reclaiming ownership, take actionable steps against Google Business Profile suspension and other Google Business issues.
Article Content:
- Combatting Spammy and Fake Listings: Uncover tactics to address misleading listings created by competitors, safeguarding your business’s online reputation and customer trust.
- Navigating Suspensions: Understand the reasons behind GMB profile suspensions and learn the steps to rectify issues and submit reinstatement requests effectively.
- Handling Negative Reviews: Gain insights into managing negative reviews from ex-employees, ensuring your online presence reflects your business’s true values.
- Regaining Ownership: Explore methods to reclaim control of your GMB listing from previous employees or third parties, safeguarding your business’s digital identity.
- Addressing Rejected Posts: Learn how to revise and resubmit posts that may have been rejected by Google, maintaining compliance with posting guidelines.
How Do You Handle Suspensions and Fake Reviews on GMB?
Handling Suspensions:
- Review the Violation: Start by understanding why your profile was suspended by checking the email from Google or the notifications in your GBP dashboard.
- Correct the Issues: Ensure your business complies with Google’s guidelines. This might include updating incorrect business information or removing prohibited content.
- Submit a Reinstatement Request: Once you’ve made the necessary changes, submit a reinstatement request through Google’s official form. Provide any required documentation to prove your business’s legitimacy.
Handling Fake Reviews:
- Flag as Inappropriate: You can flag suspicious reviews directly in your Google Business Profile for Google to review.
- Provide Evidence: If you know who wrote the review, providing evidence of bias or conflict of interest can help your case.
- Respond Professionally: Address the review publicly by responding professionally, showing other customers your commitment to resolving issues.
If you don’t have an SEO working for you and don’t want to pay a consultant or agency to deal with your suspension or fake reviews you can reach out to:
Google My Business Help Center: https://support.google.com/business
Google My Business Community: https://support.google.com/business/community
Redressal Form for Reporting Google My Business Issues: https://support.google.com/business/contact/gmb_redressal_form
What Steps Should You Take to Appeal a GMB Suspension and Prevent Future Issues?
Appealing a Suspension:
- Identify the Reason: Review the suspension notice to understand the specific reasons.
- Fix Compliance Issues: Correct any issues that violate Google’s policies.
- Appeal the Suspension: Use the appeal process provided in the suspension notice, ensuring you provide clear evidence that the issues have been resolved.
Preventing Future Issues:
- Regularly Review GBP Guidelines: Keep updated with Google’s policies and ensure your business continuously complies.
- Monitor Your GBP Regularly: Regular monitoring helps catch and resolve potential issues before they lead to another suspension.
- Educate Your Team: Ensure anyone managing your GBP is fully aware of Google’s guidelines and best practices.
Why Is It Crucial to Manage Third-Party Services and Ensure Compliance with Google’s Policies?
Managing third-party services is crucial for several reasons:
- Avoid Misrepresentation: Incorrect or misleading information managed by third parties can lead to consumer mistrust and potential suspensions.
- Maintain Ownership: It’s important that businesses maintain ownership or co-ownership of their profiles to prevent issues like unauthorized changes.
- Compliance: Third parties must comply with Google’s policies, and failure to do so can affect your business profile’s visibility and operation.
How Can You Resolve Duplicate GMB Listings?
Resolving Duplicate GMB Listings
To resolve duplicate Google My Business (GMB) listings, you can follow these steps:
Identify Duplicate Listings: Log into your Google Business Profile Manager and check for any duplicate listings under “Manage locations.” Google will flag any location that has been previously verified by someone else as a “Duplicate location.
Remove or Merge Duplicates: You have the option to remove duplicate locations directly from your Google Business Profile Manager. To do this, select the locations you want to remove and choose “Remove location” from the “Actions” menu. If you wish to merge duplicates:
- Open Google Maps.
- Select the location you believe is a duplicate.
- Click on “Suggest an edit.”
- Choose “Close or remove,” then “Duplicate of another place,” and select the correct location if available.
- Submit the suggestion.
Verify the Remaining Listing: If the remaining listing is unverified after removing the duplicate, you will need to verify it. Make sure to transfer any important information from the duplicate to the remaining listing before removal.
How Do Duplicate Listings Occur and What Are Their Impacts on Business Visibility and SEO?
Causes and Impacts of Duplicate Listings
Causes:
- Duplicate listings can occur due to errors in data entry, multiple users creating profiles for the same location, or changes in business locations not being updated properly.
Impacts:
- Duplicates can dilute your business visibility and SEO efforts by splitting your reviews and interactions between multiple listings. This confusion can negatively impact your local search ranking and lead to a poor user experience.
What Is the Process for Identifying, Claiming, and Merging Duplicate GMB Listings?
Process for Identifying, Claiming, and Merging Duplicates
- Identifying Duplicates: Regularly review your listings on Google My Business and Google Maps to identify any duplicates.
- Claiming Duplicates: If you find a listing that you haven’t created, request ownership by following Google’s process to claim a Business Profile.
- Merging Duplicates: After claiming the duplicates, follow the steps above to suggest merging the duplicate into your primary listing through Google Maps.
What Are Some Tips for Maintaining a Singular, Authoritative GMB Listing?
Tips for Maintaining a Singular, Authoritative GMB Listing
- Regular Monitoring: Regularly check your Google My Business profile for accuracy and unauthorized changes.
- Prompt Updates: Update your listing immediately whenever there are changes in your business details such as location, contact information, or services.
- Engage with Reviews: Actively manage and respond to reviews to enhance engagement and maintain a positive reputation.
- Comprehensive Information: Ensure your listing includes comprehensive and up-to-date information about your business to improve its relevance and authority in search results.
By following these guidelines, you can effectively manage your Google My Business listing, prevent the issues caused by duplicates, and enhance your visibility and interaction with customers.
How to Claim and Secure Your Unclaimed GMB Listings
To claim and secure an unclaimed Google My Business (GMB) listing:
- Search for Your Business: Go to Google Maps or the Google My Business website and search for your business.
- Claim the Business: If the listing is unclaimed, you’ll see an option that says “Claim this business” or “Own this business?” Click on it.
- Verify Your Business: Google will require you to verify your association with the business, usually through a verification code sent via postcard, phone call, or email.
- Review and Update Business Information: Once verified, review the information and make necessary updates to ensure accuracy.
- Regular Monitoring: Keep a regular check on the listing to ensure information remains accurate and secure from unauthorized changes.
Risks Associated with Unclaimed GMB Listings
Unclaimed GMB listings carry several risks:
- Misinformation: Incorrect details can remain uncorrected, leading to customer confusion and loss of business.
- Brand Reputation: Unclaimed listings can be susceptible to unauthorized changes by others, potentially damaging the business’s reputation.
- Competitive Disadvantage: Competitors may claim your unclaimed listing and control the narrative, directing potential customers away from your business.
Best Practices for Safeguarding Your Business Information Online
To protect your business information online:
- Regular Audits: Conduct regular audits of your online presence to ensure all information is accurate and consistent across platforms.
- Strong Authentication: Use strong, unique passwords for each account and enable two-factor authentication where possible.
- Control Access: Limit who has access to your business’s online accounts and review these permissions regularly.
- Stay Informed: Keep abreast of new security features and updates for platforms where your business has a presence.
- Respond to Reviews: Regularly monitor and respond to reviews to maintain a positive online presence and address any potential misinformation.
By following these guidelines, you can effectively manage your online presence and minimize risks associated with digital platforms.
Here are some frequently asked questions we get about managing a Google My Business (GMB) profile, now known as a Google Business Profile (GBP):
How long does the appeal process take?
Google review and sort out the majority of requests within three to five days.
What happens when a profile is removed?
If we remove:
- A profile:
- Gets taken offline and your can’t edit it.
- The profile will get reinstated if the owner gets the suspension lifted.
- The owner’s Google Account:
- All locations get removed from the account.
- The locations get reinstated when the owners account does after the suspension.
- A manager’s Google Account:
- If a managers account gets suspended it doesn’t take the locations offline.
- The manager’s Google Account gets access to the locations again once the suspension is lifted.
If you need more detailed help or have specific questions, consider visiting the Google Business Profile help center or looking into community forums where other users share their experiences and solutions or contact the Google My Business Experts (First Place SEO), the choice is yours.
