Understanding Google My Business Suspension: Causes and Remedies
At Identity Dental Marketing, we understand how crucial your online presence is, especially your Google My Business (GMB) listing. Occasionally, a listing may be suspended, and while this can be concerning, it is important to know that many suspensions are temporary and can often be resolved without lasting effects on your rankings.
Common Causes of GMB Listing Suspensions
Spamming Results: This includes practices like posting fake reviews or creating duplicate listings at the same location, which can mislead potential patients.
Keyword Stuffing: Adding unnecessary keywords to your business name, such as "Best Dentist in Elmhurst - Affordable Dental Care," can trigger a suspension for manipulating search results.
Misuse of Business Address: For mobile or home visit services, listing a physical address instead of a designated service area is a common error.
Misuse of Website URL: Linking directly to booking pages ("www.dentalpractice.com/book-now") rather than your primary website ("www.dentalpractice.com") can be flagged.
High-Risk Industries: Dental practices must strictly adhere to Google’s guidelines, as violations like fake reviews or keyword stuffing are scrutinized closely.
Fake Listings and Reviews: Creating multiple listings for the same practice under various names, or posting inauthentic reviews, can lead to suspension. This can occur while we're in the process of trying to merge your pre-existing duplicate listings.
Inaccurate Information: Providing incomplete or incorrect details, such as inconsistent business names or missing phone numbers.
Misrepresenting Business Info: Using misleading names like "Best Dentist in Elmhurst" that overpromise services.
Inaccurate Address or Service Area: Using PO Boxes or vague descriptors like "Chicago area" instead of specific locations.
Overloading Categories: Selecting unrelated business categories, such as adding “Chiropractor” to a dental listing.
Duplicate Listings: Having multiple listings for a single location with different contact information.
Violating Content Policies: Using misleading photos or posting fake reviews can lead to significant penalties.
New Businesses Not Yet Open: Google may suspend listings of businesses that are listed before they are officially open to the public.
Our Commitment to Resolving Your Suspension
While these issues may seem daunting, many are often the result of misreporting by competitors or misunderstandings. It's rare for a suspension to have permanent effects on your SEO performance. Our team is dedicated to advising and advocating on your behalf with Google. Should your listing be suspended, Google may request documentation to appeal the suspension, including:
- Utility bills
- Business licenses or registration
- Lease agreements (if no utility bill is available)
- DBA documentation
All documents provided must accurately match the business name used in your SEO efforts on the listing.
At Identity Dental Marketing, we stand ready to support you through this process, ensuring your documentation is in order and your appeal is handled efficiently. Remember, we're here to help navigate these challenges and maintain your practice's visibility online.