Fuse Web Design › Contractor guides · Español
Google Business Profile suspended or not showing: address, name and appeal
Google may suspend profiles that don't follow its guidelines. If your customers don't come to your location, you're a service-area business and should hide your address. P.O. boxes and remote mailboxes aren't acceptable, a rented address where you don't operate doesn't qualify, the name must be the real one, and there should be one profile per business. If you get suspended, send one complete appeal with your papers.
The video is coming this week
What Google's rules say (official text)
“If you’re a service-area business, you should hide your business address from customers.”
In plain words: if customers don't come to you, hide your address.
“P.O. boxes or mailboxes located at remote locations aren't acceptable.”
In plain words: no P.O. boxes and no mailboxes somewhere else.
“Appeal reviews and decisions can take up to 5 business days. Do not submit multiple appeals for the same issue before receiving a decision.”
In plain words: the review can take up to 5 business days, and don't send several appeals for the same issue.
What Google's rules ask for on your profile
Service-area address
If customers don't come to you, hide your address and list the areas where you work.
No P.O. boxes
P.O. boxes and mailboxes at remote locations aren't acceptable.
No rented addresses
A rented mailing address where you don't operate isn't eligible for a profile.
Real name
Unnecessary information in the name isn't permitted and could lead to a suspension.
One profile per business
There should only be one profile per business.
Google decides
Nobody can guarantee you'll show up or that your profile comes back. Google makes the call.
How to appeal a suspension
Review and decision can take up to 5 business days. Don't send repeated appeals for the same issue.
Don't create a new profile for the same business.
How to match your profile and your website
Use your real name
The same name you're known by in the real world, with no extra city or keywords.
Hide your address if you're a service-area business
And list the areas where you work.
Use the same name and phone on your website
This is a check we do: your website and your profile should say the same thing.
One profile
If you have duplicate profiles for the same business, read Google's rules before changing anything.
If you're suspended, gather your papers
Business registration, license, tax certificates or utility bills, with the same name and address as the profile.
Summary
- Real name, no extras
- Address hidden if you're a service-area business
- No P.O. box or virtual office
- One profile per business
- Website with the same name and phone
- One complete appeal, with papers that match
We'll look at your profile and website for free
Send us the link to your profile and your website and we'll tell you what doesn't match. We are not Google and can't reinstate profiles, but we help you set up a correct profile and a website that matches.
Frequently asked questions
Can I list my business if I work from home?
Yes, as a service-area business, with your address hidden. The business must make in-person contact with customers.
Can I use a P.O. box?
No. P.O. boxes and remote mailboxes aren't acceptable.
Can I put keywords in my name?
No. Use your real name; unnecessary information isn't permitted.
What if I got suspended?
Fix the problem, send one complete appeal with matching papers and don't create a new profile.
What should my website say?
The same name, phone and service area as your profile.
Official sources
- Google Business Profile Help: guidelines
- Google Business Profile Help: business requirements
- Google Business Profile Help: suspended profiles
- Google Business Profile Help: appeals
We are not lawyers and we are not Google. This guide is general information about Google Business Profile rules, not legal advice. Google always makes the decision on your profile.
