10 Fatal Google Business Profile Fails That Will Wreck Your Business

Summary

This video script warns of common mistakes that can lead to the suspension of a Google Business Profile, a crucial tool for local businesses. It advises against making multiple core changes simultaneously, using non-compliant addresses, creating duplicate listings, granting access to untrustworthy individuals, and engaging in high-risk industry practices. It also cautions against receiving an excessive number of reviews in a short time, adding keywords to business names, and operating exclusively online without in-person customer interaction. Additionally, it highlights the importance of choosing the right primary category and avoiding shared addresses with similar businesses to maintain visibility and attract customers effectively.

Takeaways

• 🚫 Avoid making multiple changes to core information like business name, phone number, address, categories, and website URL at once as it may lead to profile suspension.
• 🏢 Ensure your business address follows Google's guidelines; PO Box, UPS box, virtual office, and co-working spaces are not allowed unless they meet specific criteria.
• 📍 Do not create multiple listings for the same business unless each has a unique physical address and adheres to Google's rules.
• 🔒 Be cautious when granting access to your Google business profile to avoid suspension due to others' actions that may violate Google's policies.
• ⚠️ Be aware that certain high-risk industries are monitored more closely by Google and may face listing suspensions even without wrongdoing.
• 📊 Maintain a steady flow of Google reviews to avoid raising red flags; sudden surges in reviews can lead to profile suspension.
• 🛑 Refrain from adding keywords to your business name as it violates Google's rules and may result in suspension.
• 🌐 For an online-only business, having a Google listing requires in-person customer contact; relying solely on online interactions can lead to suspension.
• 🔄 If sharing an address with similar businesses, consider changing your primary category or moving to a different address to avoid being filtered out in search results.
• 🎯 Choose the most appropriate primary category for your business based on your most profitable service or product to maximize visibility on Google Maps.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of a Google Business Profile?

A Google Business Profile is a powerful and effective marketing tool designed to attract local customers without spending money.

What can happen if you change several core pieces of information on your Google Business Profile at once?

Making too many changes too quickly can lead to your profile being suspended or needing to be verified again, causing your business to lose visibility online.

What are considered core pieces of information on a Google Business Profile?

The core pieces of information include your business name, phone number, address, categories, and website URL.

Why should you update details on your Google Business Profile one at a time?

Updating details one at a time and waiting a few days before making the next change helps Google recognize the changes as legitimate and not an attempt to manipulate the system.

What are some common mistakes made with business addresses on Google Business Profiles?

Common mistakes include using PO Box, UPS box, virtual office, or co-working space addresses, which are not allowed unless they represent a dedicated office space with permanent signage and business hours.

Why is creating multiple listings for the same business against Google's rules?

Creating multiple listings can be against Google's rules if the addresses used do not follow their guidelines, as it can lead to spam and manipulation of the platform.

What can happen if a Google account linked to your listing is suspended?

If a linked Google account is suspended, especially due to spammy behavior or low-quality edits, your business listing could also be suspended.

Why are certain industries considered high-risk by Google in terms of business listings?

Certain industries, such as locksmiths or plumbers, are known for using shady tactics to gain an unfair advantage on Google Maps, leading Google to apply stricter rules and monitor these listings more closely.

How can receiving too many Google reviews too quickly affect a business profile?

An unusual surge in reviews can raise red flags with Google, suggesting an attempt to game the system, which may lead to the suspension of the business profile.

What is the potential risk of adding keywords to your business name on Google Business Profile?

While Google does not actively enforce this rule, adding keywords to your business name is against Google's guidelines and could lead to suspension if reported by a competitor.

What happens if a business operates exclusively online and tries to claim a Google listing?

A business that operates exclusively online and does not make in-person contact with customers may have its listing suspended, as Google requires physical interaction for a valid listing.

Why is it problematic for multiple businesses in the same field to share the same address?

Google prefers to show diverse results, so if multiple businesses share the same address and category, only a few may be displayed, potentially filtering out the rest and missing potential customers.

How important is choosing the right primary category for a business on Google Maps?

The primary category is crucial for a business to show up on Google Maps, as it determines the visibility and reach of the business to potential customers.

What should a business do if it fits into several categories on Google Maps?

A business should identify its most profitable service or product, then check the primary category of the top businesses offering that service or product and align its own category accordingly.

Outlines

00:00

🚫 Avoid Common Mistakes with Your Google Business Profile

This paragraph highlights the importance of a Google business profile and the risks of common mistakes that could lead to its suspension. The key points include not changing multiple core pieces of information simultaneously, adhering to Google's strict rules about business addresses, avoiding the creation of multiple listings for the same business, and being cautious with who has access to manage the profile. It also mentions the consequences of being in a high-risk industry and the potential issues with receiving an excessive number of reviews too quickly. The paragraph emphasizes the need for careful management to maintain online visibility and avoid the hassle of dealing with a suspended profile.

05:00

📚 Guidelines for Managing Your Google Business Profile

The second paragraph provides guidance on how to manage a Google business profile to avoid suspension. It advises against adding keywords to the business name, which is against Google's rules, and suggests legally changing the business name to include desired keywords instead. It also addresses the issue of operating exclusively online, stating that a Google listing requires in-person customer contact. The paragraph further discusses the problem of businesses sharing the same address and offers solutions such as changing the primary business category to a more specific one or moving the business to a different address. Lastly, it underscores the importance of selecting the correct primary category to ensure visibility on Google Maps and attract the right customers.

10:03

💡 Transform Your Google Business Profile into a Client Magnet

In the final paragraph, the focus shifts to how to optimize the Google business profile to attract clients. It refers to another video that provides 50 tips for enhancing the profile's effectiveness. The paragraph serves as a teaser, encouraging viewers to watch the additional content for comprehensive strategies to turn their Google business profile into a powerful client attraction tool.

Keywords

💡Google Business Profile

A Google Business Profile is an online presence that allows businesses to manage their information on Google platforms such as Search and Maps. It is a crucial tool for local businesses as it helps attract customers without spending much time or money on marketing. In the video's context, it is portrayed as a powerful yet delicate asset that can vanish or become less effective if not managed properly, as seen in the warnings against common mistakes that can lead to its suspension.

💡Suspension

In the context of the video, suspension refers to the temporary or permanent removal of a business's visibility on Google platforms due to violations of Google's guidelines. The script mentions that making too many changes to core information quickly or breaking Google's rules can result in a profile's suspension, which is a significant risk as it can cause the business to lose visibility online.

💡Core Information

Core information in a Google Business Profile includes essential details such as the business name, phone number, address, categories, and website URL. The video emphasizes the importance of updating these details cautiously, one at a time, to avoid triggering Google's systems that might interpret rapid changes as an attempt to manipulate search results, potentially leading to profile suspension.

💡Business Address

The business address is a critical piece of information for a Google Business Profile, as it determines the physical location of the business and its visibility to local customers. The script outlines Google's strict rules regarding acceptable addresses, noting that using a PO Box, UPS box, virtual office, or co-working space is not allowed unless they meet specific criteria. This is crucial for maintaining the legitimacy and search visibility of the business listing.

💡Multiple Listings

The video discusses the temptation to create multiple listings for the same business to increase visibility on Google Maps. However, it warns against this practice, explaining that it violates Google's rules unless each listing corresponds to a unique physical location. The script provides examples of businesses that might be tempted to use multiple addresses to gain an unfair advantage, which can result in all listings being suspended.

💡Account Access

Account access refers to the permissions granted to individuals or agencies to manage a business's Google Business Profile. The video warns about the risks associated with granting access, as inappropriate edits or spammy behavior can lead to the account being flagged and the business profile being suspended. It advises business owners to regularly review and manage access permissions to protect their listings.

💡High-Risk Industries

High-risk industries are sectors known for using deceptive tactics to gain an unfair advantage on Google Maps. The script mentions that Google applies stricter rules to these industries, which can result in listings being watched more closely and potentially suspended even if the business follows the rules. Examples given include locksmiths, plumbers, and home service providers, who must be particularly vigilant in adhering to Google's guidelines.

💡Google Reviews

Google Reviews are user-generated evaluations of a business that significantly influence its reputation and visibility on Google platforms. The video warns against the practice of soliciting reviews en masse or purchasing fake reviews, as Google has a strict algorithm to detect and remove such reviews. It advises a steady and genuine approach to gathering reviews to avoid triggering Google's review monitoring system and risking profile suspension.

💡Keywords in Business Name

The script touches on the practice of including desired keywords in a business name to improve search ranking on Google. However, it clarifies that this is against Google's rules and could lead to listing suspension if reported. The video suggests a legitimate alternative: filing for a 'doing business as' (DBA) name that includes the desired keywords, which can then be updated in the Google Business Profile to maintain compliance.

💡Online-Only Business

An online-only business is one that operates entirely over the internet without in-person customer interactions. The video explains that such businesses cannot claim a Google listing unless they meet with customers face-to-face during stated hours. It warns that claiming a listing without meeting this criterion can lead to suspension, and advises against investing too much effort into a listing that may not be recoverable once suspended.

💡Primary Category

The primary category in a Google Business Profile is the most important factor for determining how and where a business appears on Google Maps. The video stresses the importance of selecting the most relevant category based on the business's offerings. It provides a strategy for choosing the right category by considering the most profitable service or product and researching how top-ranking businesses in that area have categorized themselves.

Highlights

Google business profile is a powerful marketing tool for attracting local customers.

Profile suspension can occur with too many quick changes to core information.

Core information includes business name, phone number, address, categories, and website URL.

Update details one at a time to maintain profile legitimacy.

Google has strict rules about the use of business addresses in listings.

Using a PO Box, UPS box, virtual office, or co-working space as a business address is not allowed.

Home address can be used if it meets specific criteria.

Service area businesses should not display their home address.

Creating multiple listings for the same business can lead to suspension.

Physical locations with real addresses can have separate listings.

Service businesses should not use multiple addresses to create additional listings.

Linked Google accounts with your listing should be monitored for spammy behavior.

High-risk industries are closely watched by Google for rule violations.

Receiving too many reviews too quickly can raise red flags with Google.

Adding keywords to your business name is against Google's rules.

Operating exclusively online businesses cannot claim a Google listing.

Businesses sharing the same address can be filtered out in search results.

Choosing the wrong primary category can prevent your business from showing up on Google Maps.

Selecting the most profitable service as the primary category can help with visibility.

Transcripts

your Google business profile is the most

powerful valuable and effective

marketing tool for attracting local

customers without spending a time but

what if I told you it could all vanish

in a

heartbeat and it will if you're making

one of these common mistakes don't say I

didn't warn you number one changing

several core pieces of information at

once be careful when editing certain

details on your Google business profile

if you make too many changes too quickly

your profile might get suspended or need

to be verified again this can cause your

business to lose visibility online which

is something you definitely want to

avoid these core pieces of information

are your business

name your phone

number your address your categories and

your website

URL if you need to update any of these

details do it one at a time make one

change then wait a few days before

making the next change

this helps Google see that the changes

are legitimate and not an attempt to

manipulate the system if you don't

follow this recommendation your profile

could get suspended meaning it won't

show up in searches until you fix the

issue and go through verification again

this process can be timec consuming and

frustrating so take it slow and steady

to keep your profile safe and visible

trust me you don't want to deal with a

hassle of a suspended profile number two

breaking Google's rules for business

addresses Google has strict rules about

the business address you can use for

your listing if you don't have a

physical location or store this is what

you need to know using a PO Box address

isn't allowed using a UPS box address

isn't allowed using a virtual office

isn't allowed using a co-working space

isn't allowed unless you rent a

dedicated office space the space as

permanent signage representing your

business customers can visit you at that

space you or your employees are there

during business hours if you run your

business from home you can use your home

address as your business address if

customers meet you there and you have

permanent fixed outside signage if you

run a service area business and visit

customers at their homes don't display

your home address on your listing

instead specify the service areas you

operate in Breaking these rules can get

your listing suspended while you might

get away with it for a while Google will

eventually catch up with you so be aware

and follow the guidelines number three

creating multiple listings for the same

business your Google business profile is

such a powerful tool it might seem like

a good idea to create more than one

listing to show up on Google Maps in

different areas of your city while this

is a smart move you can only do it if

the addresses you use follow Google's

rules if you have physical locations

like beauty salons coffee shops or

restaurants each place as a real address

this makes it easy to follow Google's

rules and claim a listing for each spot

but if you run a service business like

being an electrician or plumber and you

go to customers homes it's not as easy

to claim multiple listings most of these

businesses are small and use their home

address for one listing which is totally

fine but to gain the visibility that

multiple listings offer some of them

ignore Google's guidelines and use

addresses of friends family or employees

to create additional listings if you're

doing this or thinking about it know

that it breaks Google's rules and even

if it's working now Google will

eventually find out when that happens

all your listings including the real one

will be suspended leaving your business

hanging high and dry number four a

Google account linked to your listing

has been suspended as a business owner

It's Not Unusual to Grant access to your

listing to SEO agencies Freelancers or

employees so they can manage your

listing while you focus on running your

business although the can save you time

you need to be careful about who you

give access to your listing here is why

some of these SEO agencies Freelancers

or even your employees might make too

many low quality or irrelevant edits on

Google Maps if too many of these edits

get denied their account could be

flagged as spammers and blacklisted if

they manage your listing it could get

suspended too and you might not even

know why to avoid this log into the

Google account you use to manage your

business profile click on the three dots

in the search interface go to business

profile settings then people and access

check who has access to your listing and

remove anyone who shouldn't be there

like old employees or an SEO agency you

no longer work with number five being in

a highrisk industry certain industries

are known for using Shady tactics and

often break many of Google's rules to

get an unfair advantage on Google Maps

because of this Google applies RoR rules

to these industries and might sometimes

suspend listings even when businesses

have done nothing wrong and follow the

rules if you're a locksmith plumber Edge

back technician or provide Home Services

know that your listing will be watched

more closely than others by Google my

advice is to always follow the rules if

your listing gets suspended even if

you've done nothing wrong it will be

easier to get Google to put it back if

you have been following their guidelines

number six receiving too many Google

reviews too fast everyone knows how

important Google reviews are but they

can be hard to get because of this many

business owners take shortcuts like

asking friends and family to write

reviews or even buying fake ones due to

these bad practices and more people

trying to cheat the system Google has

created a strict review algorithm to

find and remove fake reviews the system

also keeps an eye on review activity

this means that receiving an unusual

usually High number of reviews in a

short period of time can raise red flags

with Google a sudden surge in reviews

might suggest your trying to gain the

system and lead to your Google business

profile being suspended even if the

reviews are real to keep your listing

safe ask your customers for reviews

steadily through the year don't ask

everyone at once and then stop asking

remember slow and steady wins the race

number seven adding keywords to your

business name if you've watched some of

my videos you might have no that I

suggest adding the keywords you want to

be fan for in your business name this is

because your business name is a big

ranking factor and can help your listing

get to the top of search results

unfortunately this is totally against

Google's rules and could potentially get

your listing suspended I say potentially

because Google doesn't really enforce

this Rule and I have yet to see a

business get suspended just for adding

keywords to their name but if a

competitor reports you there is a small

risk that Google might take action and

suspend your listing to avoid this you

can change your business name by filing

for a doing business as that includes

the keywords you want to rank for once

you have your new name update your

Google business profile this way even if

a competitor reports you your listing

will be safe number eight operating

exclusively online to claim a Google

listing for your business you need to

make in-person contact with customers

during your stated hours either at your

location or theirs if your business only

works with customers online you can't

get a listing even if you meet with them

bya video conference you might have

managed to claim a listing even if your

business is online only but don't be

surprised if it gets suspended once

Google realizes you don't meet customers

face to face that's why you shouldn't

put too much effort into it if your

listing gets suspended Google won't

bring it back and all your hard work

will be wasted picking a business

location where Sim businesses already

exists it's common for businesses in the

same field to share the same address

like multiple law firms in one building

or several real estate agents using

their brokerages address especially in

big cities like New York or London the

problem is that Google likes to show

different results so if many businesses

use the same category and address Google

will only show one or two of them in

search results and filter out the rest

and before you ask using a sweet number

isn't enough to convince Google that the

address is different and the filtering

will still apply so you might miss out

on tons of potential customers to fix

this you can do a couple of things first

you can change your listings primary

business category to something more

specific for example instead of lawyer

you could choose divorce lawyer as long

as no other business at your address

uses that primary category this can help

your listing stand out in search results

second is to move your business to a

different address where no similar

businesses operate if you're a real

estate agent consider using your home

address instead of your brokerages

address and set your listing as a

service area business number 10 picking

the wrong primary category your primary

category is the most important factor

for your business to show up on Google

Maps that's why it's really important to

pick the best category based on what

your business offers if you don't you

could miss out on a lot of customers

although this seems like a simple

decision to make for some businesses it

can be tough especially if your business

fits into several categories for example

a dentist can have seven or eight

different categories to choose from if

you're not sure how to pick the best one

here is a quick tip that should help you

out ask yourself what is the most

profitable service or product I offer

then go to Google Maps and search for

that service or product look at the

primary category of the top five

businesses that show up if the primary

category matches yours you've chos the

right one if not change it now that you

know what you should not do it's time to

focus on what you should do to turn your

Google business profile into a client

magnet in this video right here I go

through 50 tips that will transform your

Google business profile forever you

don't want to miss this