Common Google My Business Problems & How To Resolve Them | Vicinus.ai

Although Google My Business is a great tool for local businesses to get found in ‘near me’ searches. This means that when  Google My Business problems occur, it can really be difficult to resolve them.

As GMB (Google My Business) becomes more complicated, it becomes better for your local business. Gone are the days of GMB asking only for a business name, address, phone number, and website URL (also known as NAP+W).

This means that as GMB listings become more and more complicated, there can be more and more problems with the profiles too.

Before creating your GMB profile, it’s best to check the guidelines

so that you can stop some of these errors from occurring.

In this article, we will detail common problems that your business can face with Google My Business and how to resolve them.

Google My Business Problems: What Do I Do About My Competitors Spammy and Fake Listings?

Whether your competitor’s business listings are totally fake, or even just a keyword-stuffed business name, these listings are definitely a problem. 

These types of GMB listings are harmful to so many local businesses. However, they can also be harmful to potential customers too.

However, there are quite a few ways that you can combat these spammy and fake listings. 

Usually, with businesses that have a spammy keyword-stuffed business name, it can be as simple as suggesting an edit on GMB. if you click on the ‘suggest an edit’ link on the business name, you can edit the business’ name which gets rid of those extra keywords.

Although suggesting an edit doesn’t immediately change the listing name- as Google will review these suggestions- it highlights the problem with the business name.

Eleven if no changes are made to the business name via Google, it’s always best to try and make these legitimate changes. 

However, if these changes are unfulfilled, you can always fill out a redressal form

. This is a Google form that should be fully filled out when GMB listing rules are broken.

Some of the rules that GMB have laid out are:

• Displaying a home address on a GMB profile
• Being an online business with no physical address
• Many more- check out Google’s Guidelines for the full list

More formal than a ‘suggested edit’, the redressal form requires more information, so it’s always best to be updated on GMB’s new rules. 

The redressal form has an option for uploading both files and images to back up some of the reasons why the business has violated GMB’s rules. For example:

• Screenshots of GMB violations
• Photos
• Audio files
• & more

On average, it takes Google two weeks to act on these errors reported via the redressal form.

Google My Business Problems: Why Has My Google My Business Listing Been Suspended?

This is a nightmare all local marketers fear. When your GMB profile gets suspended, it can be a major issue for your business. 

We have an article that explains the various reasons why your GMB listing might have been suspended: ‘Why Did My Google My Business Listing Gets Suspended? | Vicinus.ai’

In the article, we suggest that:

‘When your Google My Business Listing gets suspended, your listing is no longer visible to potential customers. This means that your GMB listing is no longer visible either on google searches or Google Maps. 

You may also be suffering from a loss of control of your listing too. This is usually a result of an ‘unverified’ listing which means that you will be unable to make any changes to your profile.’

However, there are lots of other reasons why your GMB listing has been suspended. Some of which can even be for seemingly no reason at all. For more information, please check out Google My Business Help Forum.

My GMB Listing Has Been Suspended: What Do I Do?

The first thing to do is not panic!

Usually, GMB listings get suspended and there are usually quick fixes. I would recommend your first step being to carefully read through Google My Business guidelines to try and find out which rules you have violated.

After this, you have to fill out a reinstatement request

. This is simply a request to Google to reinstate your GMB listing after you have corrected any issues which caused your business listing to be suspended in the first place. 

You may have to show Google that you have a legitimate business by providing:

• Your business signage
• A photo of the vehicle you use for business purposes (this is especially relevant f you have a Service Area Business (SAB)
• Business license image
• Business registration

Google My Business Problems: An Ex-Employee Wrote a Negative Review About My Business

Bad reviews aren’t good to get, it’s even worse when it’s an ex-employee. 

However, thankfully this kind of review violates Google’s Conflict of Interest guideline.

Simply flag this review by logging into your GMB dashboard. Click on the review and then the three dots button to the right-hand side.

If this doesn’t work, contact Google My Business Support.

Can I Bulk Edit Google My Business Listings?

Unfortunately, with GMB alone, you will have to change each GMB listing individually.

However, Vicinus can help with this. Vicinus’s

Bulk Editor allows you to edit and refine business listings en masse.

Vicinus works to simultaneously refine business listing information across multiple platforms. 

This helps you to remove inconsistencies and keep business listings updated by making quick edits all at once.

For more information, please contact us below.