Google my business has become more complex over the years. Google My Business has five common issues and how to fix them. GMB listings are primarily used to include a business name, address, phone number, and website URL. Over the years, Google has strengthened GMB's profile, which is very exciting. Businesses can now create a Google My Business profile that actually shows what their business has to offer. This allows them to stand out from the competition by ignoring GMB as an effective local marketing strategy for SEO. But these features and improvements made it harder for users to use Google My Business. Therefore, when there are problems with GMB profiles, adjustments can be more complex that often lead to confusion.
Google has developed guidelines for when, where, and how businesses can represent their business on Google My Business. But even these guidelines can be confusing. Often people are free to interpret these instructions, which can lead to spam and wrong entries. It can also hold lists of companies during GMB management and cause other problems.
Here are the top five issues users face with Google My Business and how to fix them.
1. Domination in search results by fake and spamming competitor listings - What should we do?
Whether it's a completely fake business listing or a business name full of keywords, this type of violation can hurt many people, whether researchers or other local businesses. But there are ways to deal with GMB spamming. For example, if you see a business assign keywords to your business name, you can click the Edit Suggestions and Edit Business Name links to get rid of additional keywords. Google will review your recommendation once you have made the suggested edits to names, addresses, business hours, or any other section of the GMB listing. Sometimes changes take effect almost immediately, but sometimes it can take some time. Unfortunately, sometimes Google is unable to make valid proposed changes at all. If the changes you've suggested aren't made or the company violates the terms, it's time to fill out the compensation form.
A great example of a rule violation: showing their home address on their GMB profile, or whether they are a lead company or just an online company. The compensation form is a more formal form of complaint and needs more information from you about what is causing the breach and what actions are affecting you. Once you've completed the claim form, you can also upload files and photos to help address the causes of your business violations. Once you submit the refund form, you will receive an email informing you that the form has been received by Google. It is advisable to register the case number in the register and which company you reported with this case number. It usually takes Google about 2 weeks to work on the fix / spam model.
2. Why my Google My Business listing get suspended?
This is terrible and hanging statement. There is nothing more disturbing than seeing this warning in the GMB dashboard. There are many reasons to withhold Google My Business records, most of which are valid. Therefore, if you believe that you are not violating the Terms, you are still in violation of the Google My Business Terms of Service (TOS) or your GMB profile has not been suspended. Now there are shortcomings - for example, making several changes to the list in one session - this can sometimes lead to suspension. But if you take the time to carefully consider your list and terms / guidelines, you will most likely be able to determine who you are parting with.
Let's look at just one example.
The confused business owner posted a comment in the Google My Business Help Forum: Notice how this business owner declares that the comment is "for no reason" and that their data has been "suspended for no reason." If you go deeper, you can clearly see why the list has been suspended. When asked, the employer stated that her work address was originally listed as her home address. As per the Google's guidelines, you can't display website addresses on your Google My Business profile.
Sometime then announced that he had changed the name of the GMB list to his "satellite" office address, which became virtual office. In most cases, this is prohibited by GMB guidelines. Note: If your address is a virtual office / shared office, you'll need to provide Google proof:
- You will hire a dedicated office.
- Your employees work in the office during certain working hours.
- You have permanent banner photos with your business name.
- Take office entrance banner images or videos, and more.
I found that this business owner searched for a physical address on Google and used the default office address: As can be seen from this one example, although the employer did not consider this to be contrary to the GMB guidelines, it did.
What do you do if your GMB profile is suspended?
If your GMB profile is suspended, don't panic. The first thing you need to do is read the Google My Business guidelines carefully. Try to identify the rules that violate your card and see if your business is eligible for a GMB profile at all. Some companies are not suitable for the GMB profile at all. Once you have identified potential issues - and your business is actually eligible for the GMB list - you will need to resolve any issues with the list and then complete readmission requests. Make sure that do not complete multiple renewal requests. Google My Business support will take some time to review the information you submit. When requesting a revocation, make sure you've identified the issues listed and provide proof that you're a legitimate qualifying company by uploading an image:
- Permanent trademarks - outside and inside the building.
- An image of your business vehicle if you have a service area company (SAB).
- A copy of your business license.
- Your registration with the Secretary of State or any other business management body, etc.
Once Google My Business Support responds to you regarding the suspension of your account, you will no longer need to contact GMB Support via these emails until the issue is resolved. Basically, you have to prove to Google that you are a genuine and legitimate company that qualifies for the GMB listing. Remember, you do not owe a profile of GMB. You must prove to Google that you are eligible for the Google My Business profile.
3. What do you do when a former employee writes negative reviews about your business?
No one likes to get bad reviews. It’s worse when a former employee writes a bad review about your business. This violates the Conflict of Interest Guidelines for Google User Content Contributions. If you receive negative feedback from a former employee, you can report it by entering the GMB dashboard, clicking Review, and reviewing the three items on the right. You will be given the opportunity to flag the review as inappropriate. If the review isn't removed, you can contact Google My Business Support. As an employer, you must prove that the person worked for you. However, Google cannot accept any personal information from you, such as personnel documents, company records, a copy of your ID, etc. You should be able to provide Google with general social evidence that this person is working with you. When contacting GMB support, provide them with a link to the GMB dashboard and the name of the reviewer.
Explain that they are being used to your advantage, and provide screenshots that usually prove it. You can use a LinkedIn profile screenshot that shows that they have worked for your company or on social media news where they mention their job or are being fired.
4. How do I regain ownership of my Google Business Listing?
The business owner usually forgets the GMB login information, and it is also possible for someone other than the business owner to request a list of GMB records. How can you regain ownership of your business listing if someone else requests it?
Go to https://google.com/business first.
Now click Manage.
If you have another GMB listing, you will need to log in using the GMB login credentials. After logging in, you will see all managed GMB properties. If you don't already have a Google My Business account in your account, you'll start typing in your business name, or you'll need to become a manager. Once you've got the list, you can get some options. If the list has already been requested, you will see a partial email that was used to request the list. If you have forgotten which email address you used to request your company's GMB profile, we hope this will clear your memory. You can then log in to GMB using this email address to manage your Google My Business listing. If the email doesn't seem familiar to you, another person has requested to include your business. It could be a former employee, a digital marketing agency that hired it, or even a random stranger.
The key is that you want to take ownership of your listing so that your business listing is in the right and legal ownership. Clicking Request Access will ask you to answer some questions about your identity, your relationship with the company, and the type of access you want - administration or ownership: If you're a business owner, click Owner. If you are a marketing agency that helps improve and manage your company's GMB records, select Management. When you click the Send button, an email will be sent to the person who currently has a GMB list. This person has seven days to respond to a request for property or management. You will receive an email with this request. Be sure to save this email. If the owner does not respond, you will be able to log in and request a card. If your ownership request is approved, you will receive an email with a notification and will be able to manage the listing on your GMB dashboard. If your application is denied, you must be given the opportunity to allow or confirm that you belong to a business listing.
When you request access to the GMB list, open the original email you received and click "View Request" or open the opt-out email and click "OK." Any of these emails should allow you to begin proving that you are the cardholder. In some cases, you may be asked to "verify this site to verify". If you're a digital marketing agency and see this option, contact the business owner (check by phone or email) before clicking any of these options. Notify the owner that they will contact Google or send an email with a PIN. They need to write down this number and give it to you so that you can access your account. If you are a business owner, you must apply for ownership. If you are an employee or a digital marketing agency that helps a company with digital marketing services, you can request manager access
If you are trying to access the GMB (SAB) list for a service area - a company that does not have a list of physical addresses in the GMB profile, the process is slightly different. You will enter the name and information of your organization and essentially double-check your list of GMB companies. You will receive the Pin card in the mail in about 7-14 days. Enter your GMB dashboard, enter your PIN and see the list. Since there are now two business listing cards with the same name, Google should mark the list as "Owner Conflict" or "Duplicate Lists." There should be a button inside the dashboard that says request access. When you click Request Access, it will send an email to the person who originally requested the listing, and you will continue this ownership claim process. Once an access request has been submitted, the current verified person has seven days to respond to your request, either by accepting or denying your access. You can check the status of your order by logging in to the Google My Business dashboard or by clicking the link in the property email you received from Google.
If the current owner accepts your request, you will receive an email and you can start managing your profile. If your request is denied, you will receive an email notifying you: If you are rejected, don't worry! You can still suggest changing your profile and appeal the rejection. When you request access, open the original email you received and click View Request, or click OK in the decline email. One of these emails should allow you to take the following steps to prove your association with the list of companies. If you do not receive a response, you can log in to the Google My Business dashboard and request a profile. Log in and see the Request or Verify button in the dashboard.
5. Help! My Google My Business post was rejected
Your Google My Business message will be rejected from time to time. If your message is rejected, a red "Rejected" message will be displayed. Messages are usually rejected because of the content, photos / images used, or if your work is in a "sensitive" subject area. Sometimes message words reject a message. This term may sound benign, but it may be on Google's list of "offensive" words. If your message was rejected, compare it to a more general body and don't include any sensitive words or images. In addition, it was acceptable to include your phone number or website URL in the message text. Google now rejects many messages with phone numbers or URLs. So if your message is rejected, try deleting these items.
If you have questions about GMB, where should you go?
The Google My Business Support Forum is one of the best places to ask questions about Google My Business. Led by volunteers so feel free to contact us! This forum is a great place to answer your questions about people with years of experience with Google My Business. And if you need to contact Google My Business Support, the best way to contact them is through their support form. When you ask for help, please be patient. In these stressful times, resources are limited and things take a little longer than usual.