Google My Business

Information could be needed: 

1. Basic Business Information 

• Business Name (Must match your real-world business name) 

• Business Category (Primary and additional categories) 

• Address & Service Areas (For physical stores or service-based businesses) 

• Phone Number (Main and additional contact numbers) 

• Website URL 

2. Business Operations 

• Hours of Operation (Regular, holiday, and special hours) 

• More Hours (For specific services like delivery, takeout, or senior hours) 

• Attributes (Pet-friendly, wheelchair accessible, etc.) 

• Service Options (Dine-in, takeout, delivery, etc.) 

3. Media & Branding 

• Profile Photo (Logo or storefront image) 

• Cover Photo (Highlight your brand identity) 

• Additional Photos (Interior, exterior, products, team, services) 

• Videos (Short clips showcasing your business) 

4. Posts & Updates 

• Google Posts (Announcements, offers, events, new products) 

• Special Offers & Discounts (Limited-time promotions) 

• COVID-19 Updates (Temporary changes, safety measures) 

5. Customer Interaction 

• Business Description (Up to 750 characters explaining your business) 

• Q&A Section (Answer customer questions) 

• Messaging (Enable chat for direct customer inquiries) 

• Reviews (Respond to customer feedback) 

6. Products & Services 

• List of Services (Specific to your industry, like “Haircut” or “Plumbing Repair”) 

• Products (Images, descriptions, prices, purchase links) 

7. Appointment & Booking Integration 

• Booking Button (Link to scheduling systems like Calendly, OpenTable, etc.) 

8. Insights & Performance 

• Monitor Profile Analytics (Views, searches, customer actions) 

• Ad Campaigns (Run Google Ads directly from your profile) 
   

Creating new profile not already on Google 

1. Sign in to Google Business Profile 

• Go to Google Business Profile Manager. 

• Sign in with your Google account  

2. Search for Your Business 

• If your business is already listed, search for its name and select it. 

• If your business is not listed, click “Add your business to Google” and enter your business name and category. 

3. Enter Business Details 

• Provide accurate business name, category, address, phone number, and website. 

• If you don’t have a physical location, select “Yes” or “No” for customer visits. 

4. Verify Your Business 

Google requires verification to confirm you are the owner. The methods may include: 

• Postcard (Mailed to your business address in 5-14 days) 

• Phone Call/Text (If available) 

• Email Verification (If eligible) 

• Instant Verification (For some verified businesses) 

• Video Recording (Newer verification method) 

5. Complete Your Profile 

• Add business hours, services/products, photos, and other details. 

• Enable messaging so customers can contact you. 

6. Optimize Your Profile 

• Post updates, offers, and events regularly. 

• Respond to customer reviews and questions. 

• Use Google Insights to track profile performance. 

 
If your Google My Business (GMB) (now called Google Business Profile) account has been suspended, you can appeal the suspension by following these steps: 

1. Identify the Type of Suspension 

Google usually suspends accounts for violations of their guidelines. There are two types of suspensions: 

• Soft Suspension: Your business listing remains visible, but you cannot manage it. 

• Hard Suspension: Your listing is removed from Google Search and Maps. 

2. Review Google’s Guidelines 

Before appealing, review Google’s Business Profile Guidelines to ensure your business complies. You can find them here: 
🔗 Google Business Profile Guidelines 

3. Fix Any Issues 

• Ensure your business name, address, phone number (NAP), and website match across all platforms. 

• Remove any prohibited content (e.g., keyword stuffing, fake locations). 

• Verify that your business is eligible for a Google Business Profile. 

4. Submit a Reinstatement Request 

If you believe your account was wrongly suspended, appeal it by filling out the reinstatement form: 
🔗 Google Business Profile Reinstatement Request 

5. Provide Supporting Documents 

• Business license, utility bill, lease agreement, or official documents proving your business location. 

• Photos of your storefront, signage, or office interior if applicable. 

6. Wait for Google’s Response 

• Google typically responds within a few days to a couple of weeks. 

• Keep an eye on your email for updates. 

7. Follow Up if Needed 

• If denied, carefully review the reason and make necessary changes. 

• Submit another appeal only after resolving the issues. 

Already on google business 
1. Find the Business on Google 

• Search for your business name on Google Search or Google Maps. 

• Click “Own this business?” or “Claim this business” on the profile. 

2. Sign in and Request Access 

• Sign in with your Google account (preferably a business email). 

• Follow the prompts and click “Request Access.” 

• Choose your role (Owner, Manager, etc.) and explain why you need access. 

3. Wait for Approval 

• The current owner will receive an email to approve or deny your request. 

• If they approve, you get immediate access. 

• If they don’t respond within 3 days, you might get an option to verify ownership yourself. 

4. Verify Ownership (If No Response or Denied) 

If the current owner doesn’t respond or denies access, you can request manual verification via: 

• Phone (if eligible) 

• Email (if eligible) 

• Video verification (Google may request a live video tour of your business) 

5. Manage Your Business Profile 

1. Identify the Type of Suspension 

Google usually suspends accounts for violations of their guidelines. There are two types of suspensions: 

• Soft Suspension: Your business listing remains visible, but you cannot manage it. 

• Hard Suspension: Your listing is removed from Google Search and Maps. 

2. Review Google’s Guidelines 

Before appealing, review Google’s Business Profile Guidelines to ensure your business complies. You can find them here: 
🔗 Google Business Profile Guidelines 

3. Fix Any Issues 

• Ensure your business name, address, phone number (NAP), and website match across all platforms. 

• Remove any prohibited content (e.g., keyword stuffing, fake locations). 

• Verify that your business is eligible for a Google Business Profile. 

4. Submit a Reinstatement Request 

If you believe your account was wrongly suspended, appeal it by filling out the reinstatement form: 
🔗 Google Business Profile Reinstatement Request 

5. Provide Supporting Documents 

• Business license, utility bill, lease agreement, or official documents proving your business location. 

• Photos of your storefront, signage, or office interior if applicable. 

6. Wait for Google’s Response 

• Google typically responds within a few days to a couple of weeks. 

• Keep an eye on your email for updates. 

7. Follow Up if Needed 

• If denied, carefully review the reason and make necessary changes. 

• Submit another appeal only after resolving the issues. 

Duplication

Step 1: Check for Overlapping Information 

Google might see them as duplicates if they share: 

• Similar names 

• Same address or phone number 

• Same category or services 

If there are any overlapping details, try differentiating them (e.g., unique suite numbers, distinct business descriptions). 

Step 2: Claim Both Listings 

If you haven’t already: 

1. Go to Google Business Profile. 

2. Claim each business separately. 

3. Verify each listing. 

Step 3: Report to Google 

If one listing is incorrectly marked as a duplicate: 

1. Sign in to Google Business Profile. 

2. Select the affected business. 

3. Click on Support (bottom left corner). 

4. Choose Fix duplicate listing issue or Appeal (if provided). 

5. Explain that these are separate businesses and provide evidence (website, different business licenses, unique phone numbers, etc.). 

Step 4: Contact Google Support Directly 

If the issue persists: 

• Contact Google Business Profile support here. 

• Explain the situation clearly. 

• Attach photos of storefronts, different addresses, or documents proving separation. 

Step 5: Ensure Proper Business Information 

• Each business should have a unique name, category, phone number, and website. 

• If they are at the same address, use suite numbers if applicable. 

• Add distinct photos and descriptions to differentiate them. 

Once Google verifies the distinction, they will reinstate the second business. Let me know if you need help with drafting a request!