If you’ve suddenly found your Google Business Profile (GBP) suspended, you’re not alone. Many business owners wake up to find their profile gone, leaving them scrambling to figure out why—and more importantly, how to fix it.
Google is relentless about ensuring its local search results remain accurate, trustworthy, and relevant for users. That means they scrutinize not only your Google Business Profile but also your website, your online presence across various directories, and your overall credibility on the web.
One of the biggest factors? Citations.
But before we dive into citations and their role in local SEO, let’s start with the most common reasons why Google suspends business profiles and how Google evaluates businesses to decide who gets to show up in search results and the map pack.
Why Does Google Suspend Business Profiles?
A suspended Google Business Profile means your listing has been removed from search results, leaving you without visibility in Google Search or Google Maps.
Suspensions typically fall into two categories:
- Soft Suspensions: Your profile is still visible, but you lose control over it.
- Hard Suspensions: Your profile is completely removed, and your business no longer appears on Google.
1. Address Violations – A Major Google Business Profile Suspension Trigger
Google wants to ensure that businesses listed in Google Maps are legitimate, physical businesses. That means using an address that doesn’t comply with Google’s guidelines can get your profile suspended.
Common address-related issues include:
- Using a P.O. Box, UPS Store, or virtual office address.
- Listing a coworking space without a dedicated, staffed office.
- Using a home address when your business is supposed to have a storefront.
Google’s stance: If your business serves customers at a physical location, you need to have a permanent, staffed location during business hours. Service-area businesses (like plumbers) should hide their address and only list the areas they serve.
🔎 Example: A lawyer working from home but listing a fake office address may get suspended.
➡️ Source: Search Engine Land
2. Inconsistent Business Information (NAP Mismatches) Can Lead to Google Business Profile Suspension
Your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) need to match across the internet. If Google sees different variations of your business information across multiple sources, it can erode trust and trigger a suspension.
Google cross-checks your profile against:
- Your website
- Social media pages (Facebook, LinkedIn)
- Business directories (Yelp, Yellow Pages, BBB)
- Industry-specific directories (Angie’s List, HomeAdvisor)
🔎 Example: If your Google Business Profile says “Mike’s Auto Repair” but Yelp lists it as “Mike’s Auto & Tire,” Google sees that as a mismatch.
➡️ Source: CallRail
3. Keyword Stuffing in the Business Name – A Risk for Google Business Profile Suspension
It’s tempting to add extra keywords to your business name in an attempt to rank higher. But if Google catches you stuffing keywords, they can suspend your profile.
🚫 Bad Example: “Joe’s Plumbing | 24/7 Emergency Service | Best Plumbers in NYC”
✅ Good Example: “Joe’s Plumbing”
Google’s stance: Your business name should exactly match your real-world business name. Adding extra keywords violates Google’s guidelines.
🔎 Example: A gym named “Elite Fitness” listing itself as “Elite Fitness Best Gym in Chicago” risks suspension.
➡️ Source: Search Engine Land
4. Multiple Listings Can Cause a Google Business Profile Suspension
Trying to game the system by creating multiple listings for the same business location is a big no-no.
🚫 What NOT to do:
- Making separate listings for different services at the same address.
- Creating fake listings with slight name variations.
- Registering multiple businesses that don’t actually exist.
Google uses AI and manual reviewers to detect duplicate listings. If they find one, they might suspend all of them.
🔎 Example: A dentist office creating one listing for “XYZ Dental,” another for “XYZ Cosmetic Dentistry,” and another for “XYZ Pediatric Dental” would get flagged.
➡️ Source: CallRail
5. Competitor Reports & Suspicious Activity May Get Your Google Business Profile Suspended
If users report your business for violating Google’s guidelines, your profile can be suspended.
Google also automatically flags suspicious activity, such as:
- Logging in from multiple locations too quickly.
- Making rapid, frequent edits to your profile.
- Getting sudden spikes in fake reviews.
🔎 Example: A competitor falsely reports your business as “closed” multiple times, leading to a review and possible suspension.
➡️ Source: Search Engine Land
What Are Citations – And Why Do They Matter?
A citation is any mention of your business’s name, address, and phone number (NAP) on the web.
Citations appear on:
- Business directories (Yelp, BBB, Apple Maps, Angi)
- Social media (Facebook, LinkedIn)
- Industry-specific sites (Avvo for lawyers, Houzz for contractors)
- Local chamber of commerce websites
Why Are Citations Important for Local SEO?
1️⃣ They Boost Your Local Search Rankings
Google cross-references your citations across the internet to verify your business information. More consistent citations = higher credibility = better rankings.
2️⃣ They Increase Trust & Authority
If Google sees accurate, widespread mentions of your business, it trusts your listing more than a competitor with inconsistent or missing citations.
3️⃣ They Influence Map Pack & Search Results
Citations help determine who appears in the local map pack. Businesses with strong, consistent citations get priority over those with weak or missing ones.
➡️ Source: Uberall
How Google Uses This Data to Rank Your Business
Google doesn’t just look at your Google Business Profile. It evaluates your entire online presence.
1. Google Compares Your Website & GBP
Your website must match your Google Business Profile. If your website says one thing and your GBP says another, that’s a red flag.
2. Google Cross-Checks Your Citations
Google scans directories and websites to verify your business information. Inconsistent details = lower rankings.
3. Google Analyzes Reviews & Engagement
Your profile activity, number of reviews, and engagement levels (clicks, calls, directions requests) influence rankings.
➡️ Source: Mailchimp
Final Thoughts
A suspended Google Business Profile can cripple your visibility. But by understanding why suspensions happen and ensuring your citations are consistent across the web, you can recover your listing and strengthen your local SEO.
If you’re struggling with a suspension or want an AI-powered SEO analysis to check your citations and online presence, book a discovery call with us today.
Is Your Google Business Profile Suspended? We Can Help.
If your Google Business Profile has been suspended, you’re losing visibility, leads, and potential customers. Don’t wait—get expert help to recover your listing and improve your local SEO.
📢 Schedule a Free Consultation Today!
👉 https://southingtondigital.com/contact/
🔹 What You’ll Get:
✔ A GBP Suspension Review – We identify why your profile was suspended.
✔ AI SEO Readiness Check – Ensure your citations, website, and business info are optimized.
✔ Expert Solutions – Fix your listing and boost your Google visibility.
Don’t let a suspension hurt your business. Contact us now! 🚀