Why did Google suspend my business account? [And How to Fix It]

A Google Business Profile (GBP) suspension can come as a shock and be completely unexpected. One day, you’re showing up in local search, receiving calls, reviews, and leads. The next day, your business vanishes from Maps like it never existed. No warning. No clear explanation. This happens more than you would think. Thousands of business owners face Google Business Profile suspensions every day, often with zero warning and confusing explanations.

If you’re a doctor, salon owner, restaurant owner, or any local service provider, then this problem can turn out to be a hazard to your career. That’s because Google is your digital representative. Once it’s closed, your customers won’t be able to find you anymore.

The top SEO Services in Kolkata have helped hundreds of businesses across India recover from GBP suspensions after finding out what got their Google My Business profile suspended. So in this blog, we will be breaking it down for you:

• Why would a Google Business Profile be suspended?
• Different types of Google My Business profile suspensions (yes, there’s more than one!)
• How to fix it and get reinstated quickly
• And most importantly, how can you prevent this from happening again?

Before we find out the answer to “Why Google suspended my business listing?”, you need to understand how Google works and what the profile suspension means.

"Your Profile is Suspended" - What Does That Mean?

When your Google Business Profile is suspended, your listing is:

• Removed from Google Search and Maps
• No longer visible to customers
• Not allowed to collect reviews, calls, messages, or visits

You may also come across a message inside your Google Business dashboard that says:

“Your Business Profile has been suspended due to quality issues.”

Recommended: How Does Google Business Profile Work for Local Businesses?

8 Common Reasons Your Google Business Profile Gets Suspended

After your Google Business Profile gets suspended, you can submit an appeal to reinstate your account. Before that, you need to find the reason behind the suspension to submit the appeal. The most common reasons include:

1. Your Profile Contains Misleading Information

Google takes strict measures against inaccurate or misleading information. If your business name includes keywords instead of your actual name, or if you are claiming to provide services you don't actually offer, then you're asking for trouble. People will leave negative reviews on the GBP, leading to Google noticing what’s going on. Ultimately, it will lead to a suspension of your Google Business Profile.

2. You Have More Than One GBP Profile For Your Business.

You may think multiple GBP can boost your business, but unfortunately, that’s not the case. Duplicate listings can confuse customers and are not good for the algorithm in Google's search results. Whether you created another profile by mistake or tried to gain more exposure through more than one listing, Google will suspend it. You should keep only one profile to keep your GBP safe.

3. Your Profile’s Content Violates Google's User Guidelines

Following Google's guidelines is essential because Google is strict when it comes to maintaining rules and regulations. Prohibited content like inappropriate images, offensive language, or promoting restricted products can trigger a suspension faster than you can say "oops." Always make sure to review Google's content policies because they update them and bring new changes every now and then. What was okay yesterday might not be today.

4. Sudden Edits or Suspicious Activities Lead to Profile Suspension

If you or someone managing your profile has a history of policy violations across Google products, that baggage follows you. Google connects the dots between accounts, and if it spots a pattern of sketchy behavior, your business profile could pay the price even if that specific listing hasn't broken rules.

5. Too Much Keyword Stuffing in Profile’s Content

Keyword stuffing is so 2010, and yet businesses still try it out. Cramming your business name or description with terms like "best plumber emergency 24/7 cheap fast reliable" makes your listing look spammy. Google prioritizes genuine, high-quality information over keyword-stuffed content that comes off as robotic or overly promotional.

6. Invalid Address or Phone Number

Fake addresses or phone numbers mislead potential customers and waste their time. Google also needs your business to exist where you say it does. For service-area businesses without physical locations, follow Google's specific guidelines instead of making up an address, because they'll find out eventually.

7. Inaccurate or Out-of-Date Business Information

Phone numbers where no one picks up the call, inaccurate business hours, or wrong addresses will frustrate customers and damage your profile’s credibility on Google. If users report that the information provided on your profile is inaccurate or if Google's verification finds inconsistencies in the information on your profile, then your business might be suspended until the issues are fixed.

8. Your Google Business Profile has Fake Reviews.

Faking your reviews is like playing with fire. Buying fake reviews, having employees pose as customers, or creating review-exchange arrangements with other businesses violates Google's policies. Google algorithms can detect unnatural review patterns, which eventually leads to a suspension.

Read Also: The Importance of Google My Business: Why Every Business Needs It

Types of Google Business Profile Suspensions

There are two types of Google Business Profile suspensions. After you figure out which one applies to you, you can find the answer to “why did my Google Business account get suspended?” and reach out to a local SEO expert in Kolkata to work towards the recovery of your Google Business Profile.

1. Soft Suspension

You can still access your dashboard, but your listing won’t be visible on Google Maps or Search. This is caused by guideline violations or minor inconsistencies present in your profile.

2. Hard Suspension

You lose full access to your Google Business Profile, and your listing is completely removed. Hard suspension only happens in case of serious violations (fake locations, fake reviews, keyword stuffing).

What's the Difference Between a Google Suspension and a Google Ban

Before you ask yourself, “Why my Google Business profile is suspended?”, you need to find out whether Google suspended or banned your account. The difference between the two is:

1. Your Account has Been Suspended.

When Google suspends your business profile, it's like getting a timeout, not a lifetime ban. Your listing disappears from Google Maps and Search temporarily. You might feel stressed out while thinking about, “Why would my Google business account be suspended?”. The good news? You can still fix the issues that triggered the suspension and have your business profile reappear online after you submit an appeal.

2. Your Account has Been Banned.

A Google ban is the same as of being blacklisted. Unlike suspensions, bans are permanent and can happen from serious violations or repeated offenses. Your business data is completely removed, and you won’t be able to create new listings with the same information. Recovery options are limited in such cases.

Real Client Case: Local Clinic in North Kolkata

A women's health clinic contacted the best local SEO company in Kolkata in panic because their profile was suspended overnight.

After a quick audit, we found:

• Business name had “Best Gynecologist Kolkata” added to it
• Their address had changed recently without re-verification
• They had two duplicate profiles (old and new)

We guided them to:

• Remove keywords from the name
• Merge duplicate listings
• Upload proper address proof

Result? The Google Business Profile was reinstated within 5 days. You can reach out to the leading digital marketing company in Kolkata if you require any assistance with Google Business Profile.

Fix Your Google Suspension in 4 Steps

1. Submit a Reinstatement Request

Don't panic when your listing gets suspended. Head straight to your Google Business Profile dashboard and look for the reinstatement option. Google will inform you about the reason behind your account’s suspension. Read it carefully before you submit your request and attach any required documentation.

2. Submit an Appeal

If your initial request is denied by Google, make sure to not give up. The appeal process gives you another chance to state your case. Provide additional evidence like business licenses, utility bills, or photos of your store. Be honest about any policy violations and explain how you plan to fix them.

3. Respond to the Google Support Email

Google's support team will contact you after it reviews your case. Reply promptly with any additional information that they may request within the email. Keep your responses clear, professional, and focus on addressing the specific concerns mentioned within the email.

4. Stay in Contact with Google Support

Follow every instruction from Google Support. Keep a record of all your communications and check your email daily for updates. 

How to Prevent Future Suspensions

Once your Google Business Profile is reinstated, make sure to review and optimize it.

Do’s:

• Keep all information on your GBP up-to-date. This includes business hours, address, and other relevant information.
• Use photos of your office, shop, and team. Avoid using stock images or images that are fake. Customers will recognize them immediately, leading to more distrust and negative reviews.
• Respond to reviews professionally. Be polite, and address them with care. Provide them with contact details to address queries and issues.
• Follow all guidelines when you rebrand your business. Outdated information can harm the image of your business, ultimately increasing the chances of being reported on Google.

Don’ts:

• Don’t add extra keywords to your name. Keyword stuffing will alert Google and lead to suspensions.
• Don’t buy fake reviews. Google finds out about fake reviews by tracking inconsistencies in your profile’s reviews.
• Don’t use a fake address. Customers may report your profile if they reach the given address on the profile and don’t find your business there.
• Don’t create multiple listings. This creates inconsistencies in the algorithm of Google, where your multiple listings are eventually discovered and then taken down by Google.

Read More: Benefits of Google Business Profile: How It Helps You Get Leads

Final Words

Getting your Google Business Profile suspended can be frustrating, but understanding the common reasons, from guideline violations to inaccurate business information - is the first step toward resolution. The good news is that most suspensions can be resolved by following our four- step process: identifying the issue, fixing the problem, requesting reinstatement, and implementing preventative measures for the future.

Remember that maintaining a compliant and optimized Google Business Profile is essential for local SEO success. By staying current with Google's updates, focusing on authentic business information, and implementing proper optimization strategies, you can transform your local presence from invisible to indispensable. Don't let a suspension derail your local marketing efforts, use the guidance in this article to get back on track and outrank your competition in local search results.

Get Expert Help with GBP Suspensions

As one of the leading SEO service providers in Kolkata, we at Favfly have helped 450+ clients recover from GBP issues, fix profile errors, and gain visibility on Google Maps again.

Whether you're a doctor, salon owner, architect, or service-based business, if your GBP faces suspension, our team will help you out:

• Audit your GBP for issues
• Collect the right documents
• Submit a reinstatement request that works