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As a digital marketing consultant with over ten years of experience helping local businesses grow online, I’ve seen how quickly a Google Business Profile can get suspended due to what Google considers unacceptable practices. In my experience, these suspensions usually aren’t arbitrary—they often result from specific actions that could have been avoided. For anyone looking to understand these triggers, I frequently refer clients to Unacceptable Google Business Practices, which outlines the most common pitfalls I encounter in the field.
One case I remember vividly involved a small home renovation company. They tried to include multiple service areas that were not directly served by their team, thinking it would increase local visibility. Google flagged this as misleading information, and the account was suspended. It took a few days to resolve, providing proof of service areas and removing claims that weren’t verifiable. That incident taught me just how sensitive Google is to inaccurate or overstated business details.
Another example involved a retail client who allowed a third-party marketing agency to post promotional content across several listings simultaneously. Even though the content was legitimate, the rapid activity triggered an automated review, resulting in a temporary suspension. Having clear documentation of the edits, along with proof of ownership, was essential to getting the profile reinstated. I’ve found that unusual activity—even if well-intentioned—can be misinterpreted as manipulative.
I’ve also encountered businesses that unintentionally violated guidelines by creating duplicate listings for the same location, often to try and capture more traffic. One client with multiple offices created separate profiles for each service, but some addresses overlapped. This led to suspension until we consolidated listings and verified ownership. That situation reinforced the importance of keeping business information consistent and transparent.
From my experience, most suspensions linked to unacceptable practices fall into three main categories: misleading information, unusual account activity, and duplicate or inconsistent listings. I advise clients to focus on accuracy, limit bulk changes, and maintain clear documentation. Being proactive in these areas prevents unnecessary suspensions and keeps their visibility intact.
Over the years, I’ve learned that addressing unacceptable practices isn’t just about following rules—it’s about maintaining credibility and trust with Google. Businesses that approach their profiles methodically and honestly rarely face repeated issues, and when they do, reinstatement is typically straightforward if they can provide verifiable evidence.
