Why Isn't My Google Business Profile Showing Up?

If you have a physical location or a business that serves clients in a specific geographic area, your Google Business Profile (GBP) is crucial for attracting new customers. If your GBP isn’t appearing in search results, it can be a major setback, affecting your online visibility, customer flow, and ultimately, your revenue. This issue can be caused by several factors, each playing a role in how easily potential customers can find you. Let’s explore these factors and how to resolve them instantly!

#1 Unverified Google Business Profile

Problem An unverified GBP is one of the primary reasons your business might not appear on Google. Verification is essential as it confirms the legitimacy of your business to Google, making your information eligible to display across Google services.

Solution Claim and Verify Your Profile! If you haven't already, claim your business profile by visiting the Google Business Profile Manager. Follow the verification process, which may involve receiving a postcard, phone call, or email to confirm your business details. Verification can take up to 14 business days.

Learn in detail how to verify your Google Business Profile and how to fix common verification issues!

#2 Incomplete or Inaccurate Business Information

Problem Google prioritizes accurate and comprehensive information for its users. If your business details are incomplete or inconsistent, it can negatively impact your profile’s visibility. This applies to both basic information - such as your business name, address, and phone number—and more detailed elements like your website link, opening hours, attributes, and images. While the basic details are required for your GBP to appear at all, the additional information helps improve its ranking in search results and on Google Maps. After all, if your profile is buried on page 150, it might as well be invisible to potential customers.

Solution

• Ensure NAP Consistency: Ensure that your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are consistent across all online platforms, including your website, social media profiles, and online directories. Any inconsistencies can create confusion for both customers and search engines, potentially harming your visibility in search results.
• Complete All Profile Sections: Complete every available field in your GBP, including business hours, categories, services, and attributes. Regularly update your profile with high-quality images, detailed descriptions, and posts about promotions or events. Utilize Google Posts to keep your profile active and engaging, and prioritize review management to improve your ranking and visibility, making it easier for potential customers to find you.

#3 Violation of Google's Guidelines

Problem Failing to comply with Google's guidelines can lead to your Google Business Profile (GBP) being suspended or permanently removed from search results and Google Maps. This can drastically reduce your visibility, limit customer numbers, and ultimately affect your business's revenue negatively.

One common reason for the suspension is providing false or misleading business information, such as using a fake address, stuffing keywords into the business name, or listing a virtual office instead of a physical location. Duplicate listings are another major issue - businesses that create multiple profiles for the same location risk removal.

Engaging in spammy behavior, such as fake reviews or keyword stuffing, can also trigger suspensions. Google strictly prohibits businesses from manipulating ratings or misleading customers. Additionally, certain high-risk industries (like locksmiths and rehab centers) require extra verification, and failure to meet these standards may result in a ban (removal of your GBP).

Solution

• Stick to Google's Guidelines: Familiarize yourself with Google's guidelines for representing your business and ensure your profile complies. Avoid practices like keyword stuffing in your business name, using incorrect addresses, or creating multiple listings for the same business. Prevent fake reviews and report suspicious ones to be sure.
• Check for Suspensions: If your profile has been suspended, review the suspension notice to understand the violation. After making the necessary corrections, you can request reinstatement through Google's appeals process.

Learn step by step how to lift a suspended Google Business Profile.

#4 Lack of Reviews and Engagement

Problem Customer reviews and engagement are crucial for your profile’s visibility and credibility. A GBP with no reviews is not only at a higher risk of suspension - since Google relies on social proof to verify whether a business is legitimate and active - but it’s also unlikely to rank well. Without reviews, your profile may get buried deep in search results, making it nearly impossible for potential customers to find you.

Solution

• Encourage Customer Reviews: Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews on your GBP by making the process as easy as possible. Print a QR code that links directly to your review section and display it on receipts, in-store signage, or business cards. You can also share the review link in follow-up emails or messages. This not only simplifies the review process but also ensures a steady flow of new customer feedback, helping to improve your ranking and credibility.
• Review Responses: Respond promptly to reviews, both positive and negative, to show that you value customer feedback. Active engagement can enhance your profile's ranking in local search results.

#5 Low Local Search Ranking

Problem Even with a verified and fully optimized profile, your business might not appear prominently due to low local search rankings, which we’ve briefly mentioned before. If your GBP ends up buried on pages 10, 15, or even 20, it’s practically invisible to potential customers. In many cases, business owners think their profile isn’t showing up at all when, in reality, it’s just ranking too low to be easily found in search results or on Google Maps.

Solution The solution is simple: Optimize for Local SEO!

• Find relevant local keywords and use them in your business description and posts—terms that potential customers might use to find services like yours.
• Ensure your business is listed in appropriate categories and that your location details are accurate.
• Get listed on business directories and claim citations (mentions of your NAP across the web) to strengthen your online presence.
• Build local backlinks and maintain consistent NAP information across various platforms to improve your local search rankings.
• Optimize your website for local SEO by:
• Using local keywords in your content
• Ensuring mobile-friendliness
• Creating location-specific pages
• Implementing local business schema markup
• Producing locally relevant content (e.g., blog posts)
• Optimizing images for local search
• Post fresh content regularly on Google Posts to show engagement and activity.
• Use local keywords in your captions to help Google better understand your business, making it easier to match you with relevant local search queries.

Discover in detail how to optimize your online presence for local SEO and how Obenan can help you reach the top of the local search results!

#6 Recent Changes to Business Information

Problem If you've recently updated your business details, it may take some time for these changes to appear in search results. While certain updates are processed immediately, others can take weeks or even months before they positively impact your visibility. Google’s algorithm needs time to recognize and index the changes, especially if they involve significant modifications like a new address or business name.

However, frequent or major updates can also trigger Google’s security measures, potentially flagging your profile for suspicious activity. In such cases, you may be required to re-verify your GBP, which can temporarily affect its visibility until the verification process is completed.

Solution

• Be Patient: Understand that updates to your GBP can take up to three days to appear in search results. During this period, avoid making further changes, as frequent modifications can delay the process.
• Re-verification: If indeed you need to re-verify your GBP make sure to follow all necessary steps shown on screen. While your GBP is not verified, it is not visible to potential customers. Make sure you solve this issue promptly and get in contact with Google Support if necessary!

#7 Business Relocation or Closure

Problem Moving to a new location or temporarily closing can impact your Google Business Profile’s visibility. In these cases, Google may require you to re-verify your business to confirm that your new address is legitimate. This verification process ensures that businesses are accurately represented and prevents fraudulent listings. Until re-verification is complete, your profile may not appear in search results or on Google Maps.

Solution Update your address promptly! If your business relocates, update your address in your GBP immediately and complete any required verification processes to avoid disruptions in visibility. For temporary closures, mark your business as temporarily closed instead of deleting the profile - this keeps customers informed while preserving your local SEO efforts.

Additionally, ensure that your new address is updated everywhere - including all business directories, social media profiles, and your website - to prevent NAP inconsistencies which can negatively impact your search rankings.

#8 Duplicate Listings

Problem Having multiple listings for the same business can confuse customers and dilute your online presence. Duplicate GBPs can occur very quickly, sometimes due to your own or a colleague's mistake in creating a new profile, ownership issues, or even automated systems!

Solution

• Merge or Delete Duplicates: Regularly audit Google Maps and other platforms for duplicate listings of your business. Merge or remove any duplicates to consolidate reviews and improve your profile's authority.
• Delete Duplicate Listings from your GBP Manager: Most duplicate listings are not visible on search results or maps. Thus, avoid editing the wrong listing by deleting the duplicate listing from your GBP Manager.

Learn how to remove duplicate Google Business Profiles!

#9 High Competition in Your Area

Problem In areas with many businesses offering similar services, standing out can be challenging. Even if you rank relatively high on Maps and search results, this does not immediately mean you will always be the first choice for potential customers.

Solution Differentiate Your Business: Highlight unique aspects of your business in your GBP description and posts. Ensure high-quality images are uploaded that represent your business and your offerings best. Engage with the local community through events or sponsorships and showcase these activities on your profile to build a distinct local presence. Maintain Keyword Relevance: Regularly check your keywords to ensure they accurately reflect your offerings. If coffee isn’t your main business, why try to rank for it? Targeting irrelevant keywords attracts the wrong audience, who will quickly move on to the next GBP when they realize your business doesn’t offer what they were looking for. Choose the Right Business Categories: The same applies to business categories. If you’re a restaurant that serves a few breakfast options but primarily focuses on dinner, don’t select “breakfast restaurant” as your main category. Choosing the most accurate category helps Google match your business with the right customers.

Let Your Google Business Profile Show Up With Obenan

No worries, you don’t have to do it alone! At Obenan, we understand the challenges businesses face in managing their online presence. Our suite of local SEO tools makes this process simple, ensuring your business stands out in local searches. From managing your GBP to optimizing for local SEO, Obenan offers comprehensive solutions tailored to your needs. Let us handle the complexities of local SEO so you can focus on what you do best—running your business. Whether you're looking to improve your online visibility or need help with verification, suspension issues, or overall profile management, we’re here to support your entire online presence!