Common Reasons Google Will Suspend Your Account
Why Business Profiles Get Flagged - and How to Stay Visible

Getting your Google Business Profile suspended is more than inconvenient. It can tank your online visibility overnight.

If you rely on Google Maps and local search to drive business (and most companies do), you need to know what Google looks for and what triggers suspensions.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common (and avoidable) mistakes that get businesses flagged.

1. Using Legal Suffixes Like “LLC,” “Inc.,” or “Corp.”

Unless these suffixes are part of your publicly visible business name, leave them out.

Google wants your profile to match what customers see on:

• Storefront signage

• Business cards

• Vehicle wraps

• Your website

Using “Smith Roofing LLC” when your trucks and website just say “Smith Roofing” can raise red flags.

2. No Visible Signage at Your Business Address

If your business claims to operate at a certain location - but has no visible signage - Google may suspend the listing.

This is especially important for:

• Home-based businesses

• Shared office spaces

• Low-traffic commercial spaces

✅ If you have a physical office, make sure you post permanent signage visible from the street or building entrance. Google may ask for photo evidence.

3. Using a P.O. Box or Virtual Office Address

Google requires you to list an address where real-world interactions occur.

Addresses that can trigger suspension:

• Virtual offices (e.g., WeWork, Regus, etc.)

• Mailboxes at The UPS Store or similar

• P.O. Boxes

If you're a service-area business (like HVAC, plumbing, pest control), you can choose to hide your address and specify your service area instead.

4. Keyword Stuffing Your Business Name

Adding keywords like “Best,” “#1,” or your location into your business name might help you rank - until you get caught.

Examples:
❌ “Bob’s Plumbing – 24/7 Emergency Services Phoenix AZ”
✅ “Bob’s Plumbing”

Google wants real, not optimized. Keyword stuffing leads to hard suspensions.

5. Creating Duplicate Listings

Only create one profile per location. You cannot:

• Make a new listing for the same location just to “reset” bad reviews

• Create separate listings for each service

• Claim the same location under multiple businesses (unless they are legally distinct and separately branded)

Duplicates cause confusion for users and automatic suspensions from Google.

6. Inconsistent Business Information Across the Web

If your business has different:

• Names

• Phone numbers

• Addresses

• Categories

…on different directories (Yelp, Facebook, BBB, etc.), Google may treat your listing as suspicious.

✅ Keep your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) consistent everywhere.

7. Unverifiable or Fake Listings

Your listing can be suspended if:

• Google suspects it’s fake

• You don’t verify it through their PIN process

• The location doesn’t exist or operate as claimed

Photos, utility bills, and signage can all help prove legitimacy during reinstatement.

8. High-Risk Industries or Categories

Certain business categories receive extra scrutiny due to past abuse. These include:

• Locksmiths

• Garage door repair

• Pest control

• Addiction treatment centers

• Legal and bail bond services

Make sure every aspect of your listing is squeaky clean - including reviews and photos.

9. Review Spam or Suspicious Activity

Sudden review spikes, obvious fake reviews, or incentivizing reviews can trigger suspensions or review removal.

⚠️ Google doesn’t allow businesses to offer discounts, money, or gifts in exchange for reviews.

If you use third-party tools to generate reviews, make sure they follow Google’s review policies.

10. Incorrect Business Category or Hours

Choosing an inaccurate category (e.g., listing a nail salon as a “beauty school”) or posting hours that don’t align with your real operation can confuse users - and lead to suspension.

Always list your primary service and accurate business hours.

Bonus Tip: Keep Visual Proof Handy

If you ever need to appeal a suspension, having the following will speed things up:

• Photos of storefront and signage

• Utility bills showing your business name and address

• State business license

• Screenshots of your website and online listings

Google may ask for this during reinstatement, especially for hard suspensions.

Final Thought

Most Google suspensions aren’t personal - they’re algorithmic. But once triggered, they can delay your growth and create massive confusion for your customers.

Stay in compliance. Keep your listing clean and honest. And when in doubt, refer to Google’s official Business Profile guidelines.

Prevention is easier than reinstatement.