If you’ve recently logged into your Google Business Profile (GBP) and found a red banner saying your listing is suspended… you’re not alone…
In 2025, business owners across the country are running into this same issue — and no, you’re not doing anything “wrong” (at least not intentionally). This isn’t totally new — GBP suspensions have been a pain point for years — but the volume of reports in early 2025 is the highest it’s been since mid-2023. According to Mike Blumenthal, a recognized expert in local SEO and Google listings, appeal wait times have increased from 5 days to up to 5 weeks, and forum complaints have surged dramatically in Q1.
At Ceemi Agency, we work with hundreds of small and local businesses every month, and the number of GBP suspensions we’ve seen lately has skyrocketed. It’s frustrating, confusing, and can literally cost you leads while you wait in limbo for Google’s support.
So let’s break it down — what’s going on, what you shouldn’t do right now, and how to bounce back if your listing gets flagged.
Wait, Why Is Google Suspending So Many Business Profiles Right Now?
Short answer: nobody knows for sure — not even the experts. But here’s what we do know:
- GBP suspensions have gone way up since January 2025.
- Appeals, which used to take 5 days, are now taking 4–5 weeks (seriously).
- Even tiny edits to your profile — like changing a phone number or updating your hours — could trigger a suspension.
- Bulk-managed and API accounts (for multi-location brands) are also feeling the pain, with re-verification issues popping up like wildfire.
Google hasn’t been super transparent (shocking, right?), but the current theory is this: They’ve updated their algorithm to crack down on spammy listings, and it’s catching a lot of legit businesses in the crossfire.
Real Talk: What Should You Do Right Now?
❌ Don’t Touch Anything
We know it’s tempting to log in and polish up your profile. Maybe your business hours changed, or you got a new phone line. But right now, editing your GBP is like poking a sleeping bear — it might wake up and suspend you.
Our advice? Until Google sorts this out (and shortens that appeals queue), don’t make changes unless it’s absolutely critical.
✅ Make Sure Everything Is Accurate… But Quietly
You should audit your listing (and your other online info) without necessarily editing it just yet. Make a list of things that might trigger Google’s filters:
- Is your business name formatted exactly the same across directories?
- Do your address, phone number, and website match everywhere online?
- Are you using a real, physical address (not a P.O. Box or virtual office)?
- Do your business categories and services make sense for what you actually do?
You can run these checks or work with a digital marketing agency (ahem like Ceemi 😎) to handle it without putting your GBP at risk.
So What If You’re Already Suspended?
First: Don’t panic. It’s annoying, yes. But it’s fixable.
Here’s what you should do:
1. File an Appeal Immediately
Head to Google’s Reinstatement Request form and submit all your legit business info — licenses, photos of your storefront or signage, utility bills, etc. (Avoid sending in irrelevant materials like flyers, invoices, or screenshots that don’t verify your address or legitimacy.)
2. Be Patient (and We Mean Really Patient)
Unfortunately, there’s a long line right now. Google support teams are backed up, and you could be waiting weeks to get your listing back. It’s brutal, especially if your GBP is your main source of leads.
3. Stay Visible Elsewhere
While you wait, you need to stay visible! This is the time to lean into your website, SEO, paid ads, and social media to make sure people can still find you.
At Ceemi, we help suspended businesses set up Google Ads and strengthen their SEO footprint so they’re not just sitting in limbo waiting for the GBP gods to respond.
What You Can Do to Protect Your Business Long-Term
It sucks that this is happening. But it’s also a wake-up call.
If your entire marketing funnel relies on one platform, it’s risky. That’s why we recommend a multi-channel approach:
- Local SEO: So you show up in search results, even without GBP.
- Google Ads: Get leads fast — and you’re not dependent on an algorithm update.
- Email & Social: Stay connected with past and future customers, no matter what.
And of course… keep your GBP updated, but carefully. Having a solid partner (like Ceemi!) manage it for you can help you avoid future suspensions by keeping everything compliant.
Don’t Have a Physical Location? Set Up as a Service-Area Business (SAB)
If your business doesn’t have a storefront or office that customers visit — no problem. Google actually has a solution for you, and it’s called a Service-Area Business (SAB).
This is the right setup for:
- Home-based businesses
- Mobile service providers (like lawn care, cleaning, repair, consulting, etc.)
- Anyone who travels to clients instead of serving them at a set location
What’s a Service-Area Business?
Instead of displaying a physical address, you select the areas you serve — think neighborhoods, ZIP codes, or cities. Your profile still shows up in local search and on Google Maps, just without a pin drop on the map.
Bonus: This keeps your listing eligible for the local 3-pack without risking suspension for using a non-compliant address.
How to Set It Up the Right Way
- During your GBP setup, enter your real address (like your home or HQ), but check the box that says “I deliver goods and services to my customers.”
- Choose the option to hide your address from the public.
- Select the cities you serve — focus on areas you actually do business in.
- Keep it updated, but avoid making lots of changes at once (Google may see that as suspicious).
Pro Tip: If you already have a public-facing listing but don’t serve customers at that location, you can switch to a service-area model — just be careful and do it in stages to avoid triggering a re-verification or suspension.
Real Suspensions from Real Businesses: What’s Actually Getting Flagged?
Google isn’t out here suspending shady spam accounts only — legit, hardworking businesses are getting caught in the crossfire. And it’s often because of small details they didn’t even realize could be a problem.
Here are a few real examples we’ve seen recently:
🧱 Chimney Cleaning Business with a P.O. Box
This business didn’t have a storefront, so they used a P.O. Box as their listed address. It worked for a while, but then—suspension. Google’s system flagged the listing because it didn’t meet the requirement for a physical location customers can visit or a valid service-area setup.
Takeaway: If you’re using a P.O. Box or virtual office address, it’s only a matter of time before Google pulls the plug. Service-area businesses should use a legitimate address (like your home or warehouse) and hide it from the public listing if needed.
🌳 Lawn & Tree Care Business with Duplicate Listings
This company had one Google Business Profile for lawn services and a second for tree care — both tied to the same address. It seemed logical to them (different services, right?), but Google saw it as duplicate content and suspended both.
Takeaway: Unless you’re legally operating as two separate businesses with distinct licenses, website, phone number and branding, running multiple GBPs at one location can easily lead to suspension.
🛠️ Construction Company’s Promotional Post Got Flagged
One construction business posted an update promoting a seasonal offer: “Free drink rail with any deck installation.” It was a legit promo — no fine print, no tricks — but Google’s AI likely interpreted the “free” language as potentially misleading or spammy, and the listing was suspended shortly after.
Takeaway: Be extra cautious with promotional language. Words like “free,” “guaranteed,” or “limited-time” can sometimes trigger Google’s spam filters — especially when paired with generic terms like “deck installation.”
📄 Business Owners Submitting the Wrong Appeal Documents
After getting suspended, many business owners rush to appeal — which is a smart move — but we often see them upload the wrong kind of documents. Things like marketing flyers, screenshots of their website, or utility bills with mismatched info don’t help (and sometimes make things worse). Google’s support team won’t tell you what’s wrong — they’ll just move on.
Takeaway: When appealing, your docs must clearly match your GBP info — business licenses, tax documents, signage photos, or utility bills tied to the exact address listed. If you’re not sure what to send, ask for help first.
Bottom Line?
Google suspending your listing isn’t the end of the world — but it can slow things down if you’re not prepared.
Be cautious, stay visible, and don’t go it alone. Need help figuring out what triggered your suspension or how to get leads while you wait? Let’s talk.
👉 Contact Ceemi Agency and we’ll help you bounce back stronger than ever.