5 Things to Include in Your Google Business Profile (GMB) Reinstatement Appeal to Avoid Rejection
GMB Suspension? Don't Let Your Appeal Get Rejected
Learn the 5 crucial elements you must include in your GMB reinstatement appeal to maximize your chances of approval and get your Google Business Profile back online.
Introduction
When your Google Business Profile (GBP) — formerly known as Google My Business (GMB) — gets suspended, it can feel like your business has been erased from the digital map. One day you wake up to find your listing does not show up in Google Search or Google Maps anymore, customers can no longer locate your business, and your calls or leads plummet. To small businesses this suspension can be actually costly.
The positive side of things is that Google offers you an opportunity to apply to be reinstated. Nonetheless, the majority of the appeals are denied due to failure by business owners to provide the correct information. If you want to improve your chances of approval, your GMB reinstatement request must be complete, accurate, and supported by evidence.
In this article, we'll cover five crucial things you should include in your GMB reinstatement appeal to avoid rejection.
1. Provide Clear and Accurate Business Information
The first check that Google makes when a reinstatement request is reviewed is whether your business information can be reliably understood. The difference between your profile and your real business information is any signal of alarm.
Here is what you must refer to:
Business name:
Just like the signage that appears in reality (keyword stuffing is to be avoided).
Business address:
An operational physical address (not a virtual office, UPS box, or co-working space unless you have a business there).
Phone number:
A functional number which is directly connected to your business.
URL of the Web site:
Shows the address of an online functioning site that fits your business information.
Even small inconsistencies — like abbreviations, outdated phone numbers, or a mismatch between your Google Business Profile (GBP) and website — can lead to GMB suspension or rejection of your reinstatement. Cross-check the data to be submitted.
2. Submit Proof of Business Legitimacy
It is not only through the provision of information. Google highly requests providing additional documentation to prove your business to be real. Attaching the right proof increases the credibility of your GMB reinstatement appeal.
Typical examples are:
- Utility bills that have your business name and address.
- Government issuance of licenses or certificates of registration to conduct business.
- Lease contracts of your store or office.
- Pictures of your storefront, interior, signage or company vehicle (in the case you have one).
Include proof that you do serve customers in the covered areas, in case you are a service-area business. To give one example, contractor invoices, fleet vehicle photos, or marketing materials can be used.
Your reinstate request would be more powerful with this documentation and would indicate to Google that your business would be lawfully transparent.
3. Demonstrate Compliance with Google's Guidelines
One of the most common reasons for Google Business Profile suspension is GMB policy violations. When you are filing an appeal, it would be important to state in a clear manner how your business is in compliance with the guidelines of Google.
For example:
In the event that your business name used to include additional keywords such as "Best Plumber in New York- 24/7 Service", change your business name back to your registered name.
In case you recorded a virtual office or shared office space as your spot, make it right to your true physical place.
In case the number of hours or categories you had entered were misleading, fix it before filing the appeal.
In your reinstatement letter, recognize that you are aware of the policies and state what you have addressed. This demonstrates to Google that you are serious about compliance and you are very unlikely to repeat mistakes.
4. Write a Polite and Professional Appeal Letter
The way you structure your GMB reinstatement appeal can make a big difference. Google reviewers have thousands of requests/cases to attend to, thus a polite, courteous, and professional letter stands a better chance of success.
The following is an excellent outline to use:
Introduction:
Give a brief introduction about your business and give a brief explanation about the suspension.
Compliance Note:
Please check that your business is in accordance with the Google terms.
The Evidence:
The list, attach documents (the photos, licenses, utility bills, etc.).
Request:
Kindly ask to be reinstated and be ready to give more information.
Important Note:
Do not come out sounding frustrated, angry or defensive. Rather, be professional and cordial in your tone. Note: you are inviting Google to consider your case, so make their work easier and be brief and organized.
5. Ensure Online Consistency Across Platforms
Before you hit those submit buttons on reinstatement requests, see how well your business is portrayed on the internet. Google does not only check the information on your profile, but in many cases they compare the data with your site and social network, as well as online directories.
Make sure:
Your web site corresponds with the Google Business Profile (GBP) name, address and phone number.
Business hours are the same in all places (website, Facebook, Yelp, etc.).
Redundant or false listings have been deleted.
No deceptive activity is implied in reviews and content.
A consistent presence on the Internet decreases the suspicion in your legitimacy and increases the chances of getting reinstated.
Final Thoughts
A Google Business Profile suspension can be stressful, but the reinstatement process is your chance to prove that your business is legitimate and compliant. Not to be turned away, you should do more than make an ordinary request look through the eyes of the business, come up with good evidence of authenticity, prove that you are not violating the policies of Google, make a request in a professional letter form and maintain a consistency on the net.
By preparing your GMB reinstatement appeal with these five essentials, you give yourself the best chance to recover your visibility, rebuild trust with customers, and get back on Google Maps and Search.
Do not hasten. Spare some time to organize your appeal well, and your chances of success are considerably greater.