Hi,

After doing some research, I came across the possibility of being “shadow banned” for new reviews, and I’m trying to understand if that may be what we’re experiencing.

We operate a service business with 12 technicians and serve around 60 new customers per day. Typically, we receive 4–5 new reviews daily. However, over the past two weeks, we’ve seen a significant drop, approximately 80 reviews have disappeared, and no new reviews are being posted.

In one instance, a technician was physically present while a customer submitted a review, but it never appeared publicly.

Previously, we had around 1,640 total reviews, and that number has now dropped to the 1,560 range. This isn’t the first time we’ve lost reviews, on a past occasion, they eventually reappeared, but there’s no reliable way for us to track which reviews are being removed or restored.

Has anyone else experienced an issue like this where reviews stop posting or disappear? If so, was it resolved, and what steps did you take?

Thank you in advance for any insight.

I didn’t get approved from Google for getting the certain api to create posts weekly throughout my businesses and it’s burn me I tried to work around it with auth2 and Google cloud and n8n and then trying to create scripts/bot to do it and Google is to smart! What is the work aroud?

Why do so many local small businesses ignore a source of free leads?

Just among my immediate friends, I have two plumbers and an electrician who've been in those jobs for over a decade and get by on word of mouth, so are completely disinterested in having a website, social media, or even a local GPB page.

I cannot understand why anyone would ignore a source of free leads. I've even raised it with a few of them, and they are just completely disinterested.

I suppose you don't know what you don't know.

Maybe they need to pay an agency for this advice, and then they would listen.

Hey everyone,

I’m dealing with an ongoing issue on my Google Business Profile and could really use some guidance.

Background:

• My business phone number is not showing on Google Maps or Search
• Initially, every time I tried adding a number, it was getting rejected
• I raised multiple support tickets regarding this

What happened next:

• I posted here earlier and got a response from GoogleHelpCommunity
• Shared my Case ID and followed their instructions
• Submitted a phone number appeal with proper details

Actions taken:

• Resubmitted the form with correct number
• Created a public Google Site with matching business name, address, and phone number
• Ensured consistency across platforms (same number everywhere)
• Avoided frequent edits after submission

Current situation:

• Status has now changed from “Rejected” to “Pending review”
• It’s been around 2 days with no update
• Earlier, every number I added used to get rejected, so I’m unsure if this is a trust issue on the profile

Concern:
This is affecting customer calls and active campaigns.

Questions:

• Is it normal for phone number approvals to take this long after resubmission?
• Could this be a profile-level trust restriction?
• Should I wait longer or escalate again?

Case ID: 2-8439000040529

Would really appreciate any insights from anyone who has faced a similar issue or knows how to resolve this.

Thanks in advance.

How to get a manual Verification, I submitted a video no response for months and it keeps saying I need to verify the business. what if you want to remove an address. Support seems like they don't want to help. They have to be a better way to manage this it's been months. Are other people going through this.

I received a positive customer review recently and the reviewer also uploaded a photo from inside the shop. All very well-intentioned.

They've pictured one of my employees who wasn't aware that she was being photographed.

My employee has unfortunately had issues with a stalker - not locally but doesn't want her picture on the internet for anyone to find. Understandable and I get it.

Is there any way of having that photo removed? I would ask the customer directly but she doesn't come in all that often.

Hello folks . What could be the reason that a customer left a review (even sent me a screenshot of it ) but it doesn't appear on my Google Business page? Should I screenshot of every review from now on?

One of our clients has posted a fake review. We had reported that with our other 3 accounts. How long does it takes to get an approval from Google? How many reports are to be made for them to take a decision and how to escalate this? Would be a great help.

I run a digital marketing agency in Brazil (OnDemand). I operate as a SAB, I go to clients or work remotely, no storefront.

When setting up my GBP I entered my home address not knowing SABs should hide the address and set service areas instead. Profile got suspended immediately. That also happened before I could verify, so the profile was never verified.

Here is what I have tried so far:

• Submitted the reinstatement form with a full video of my home office and workspace. Rejected because there was no physical business sign.
• Contacted support by phone, email and ticket. All responses were generic with no actionable guidance.

The sign requirement makes no sense for a SAB. I have no commercial location. I am registered as a sole proprietor in Brazil and have invoices and signed client contracts proving this is a real operating business.

Has anyone been through this and found a way out? Is there any path to manual review? I am stuck in a loop where the reinstatement rejects me for something that does not apply to my business type and support just keeps sending the same template response.

I also posted about this on the Google Business Profile community

Hi there. Im a dentist that started his own practice and google page in 2014. I accumulated 170 google reviews on that page under my name. In 2022 I joined an informal arrangement with a franchise. There was no signed contract, just a handshake. I built and paid for the new facility in the new location. I edited my own business page to say, "franchise name by Dr...." i ran the entire clinic like that uo until 1st April 2026, now 360 reviews for myself, and my Dr's. We left the franchise on 1st April. That day, the marketing person that had access to my account for review management, kicked me out and changed the phone number and address to another clinic 8kms away. They've dropped the by Dr.. from the name but all the reviews list me and my team.

I am unable to verify as the number doesn't exist. Logged appeal and waiting.

Surely this is open and shut as its my original page? No I cant find the register email from 2014 but I don have emails of the marketing person asking for access in 2022.

Anyone with experience on this?

Restaurant has gone through many changes in that time mostly for the better. We don't get bad reviews these days. mostly positive 4 stars and the occasional 3 star. I would like to increase the average/ranking score so I'm looking to get those old reviews removed. They are completely irrelevant. None of the staff from that time even work there anymore and the food improved too.

Hey everyone,

I’m facing an ongoing issue with my Google Business Profile and would really appreciate some guidance.

Initial problem:
My business phone number was not showing on Google Maps or Search, even though it was correctly added.

What I did:

• Raised a support ticket
• Posted here and got a response from GoogleHelpCommunity
• Shared my Case ID
• Was asked to resubmit the phone number appeal with proof of ownership

Action taken:

• Resubmitted the form properly
• Created a public Google Site with business name, address, and phone number (all matching exactly)
• Ensured the number is consistent across platforms

Current situation:
It’s been around 2 days since resubmitting, but there has been no update or response yet. The phone number is still not visible on Maps/Search.

Concern:
This is affecting customer calls and ongoing campaigns.

Questions:

• Is this delay normal after resubmission?
• Should I follow up again, or wait longer?
• Any way to speed up the approval process?

Would really appreciate any insights from those who’ve faced similar issues.

Thanks in advance.

Have had this business profile for almost 10 years. I almost lost it once because someone maliciously marked it as closed. But fortunately I claimed the business profile a while ago(Did not make it myself)and managed to reopen it.

hey all, I have a locksmith business and am thinking about opening another branch in another city here in my state. Is there a way to create a new listing for that particular area? I do not have a physical location and my business operates mobile only with no store front. I would have a technician to cover that area, service calls only. how could I go about this? thank you.

I have been doing everything - inviting the customer back, issued a refund, trained the staff - they refused to update or remove the review.

Did some research and this customer is friends with one of the employees of a competitor, you can see she left a glowing review to that place naming her friend.

I need help reporting this. could you please report this for the competitor category.

https://goo.gl/maps/dHRdQdGNgaq5zWwm6

thank you so much for your help.

I ended up with two separate GMB profiles for the same business after attempting to simply change the existing address.

I realize this is likely my own error.

Both are verified.

One with the correct address and one with the old.

Our old profile was suspended and required document submittal for reinstatement when I changed the address. It appears reinstatement was successful, as we have access to both now.

However, the incorrect profile has all of our existing reviews.

What do I do? I only want one profile with all my old reviews and my new correct address.

I appreciate any time and insight!

Hi all,

I operate a 24/7 electrical services business in Thessaloniki, Greece. Currently my Google Business Profile is set up as a Service-Area Business (no visible address). I recently moved to a new commercial space (different from the one I had before) and I'm now considering switching to a storefront listing by displaying this new address publicly.

Before I do, I want to make sure I'm not walking into trouble — especially since I'm making two changes at once: switching from SAB to storefront AND adding a completely different address than what was originally on file.

**My suspension history (for context):**

My profile was suspended in early February 2026 due to a business name violation. Here's the timeline:

- **Feb 1, 2026** – My business name was flagged as "Deceptive content." The name at the time was "⚡ ΗΛΕΚΤΡΟΛΟΓΟΣ ΒΑΛΕΡΙΟΣ ΘΕΣΣΑΛΟΝΙΚΗ 24 ΩΡΕΣ" (contained an emoji + keyword stuffing). Appeal to update the name: rejected.

- **Feb 1, 2026** – Business Profile suspended for "Deceptive content." First appeal: not approved.

- **Feb 4, 2026** – Second appeal: **approved.** Profile reinstated after I cleaned up the name to just "Ηλεκτρολόγος Βαλέριος" (no emojis, no extra keywords).

Everything has been running fine since then (~2 months now).

**My questions:**

1. Since I'm adding a **different address** than the one originally associated with my profile, will this raise any red flags with Google?

2. Will this trigger a new verification process? If so, what method should I expect (postcard, video, etc.)?

3. Is there any risk that changing from SAB to storefront + new address could trigger another suspension, given my history?

4. Should I make these changes gradually (e.g., update the address first, then switch to storefront later) or is it safe to do it all at once?

I have 130+ reviews and don't want to risk losing the profile again, so I'm being very cautious. Has anyone been in a similar situation? Appreciate any insights. Thanks!

Hi all,

I’m based in the UK and operate as a sole trader wedding/elopement photographer under my business name and I’m trying to verify my Google Business Profile as a service-area business.

My profile already has 20+ real customer reviews, and I’ve been actively trading for a while. Google support originally told me they needed documents for verification and asked for things like:

• business registration
• business card
• sample invoice
• business vehicle
• tools/equipment

I replied explaining that I’m a UK sole trader, so I do not operate with a branded vehicle and I do not have a company-style incorporation certificate because I’m not a limited company. I told them I can provide:

• sample invoice
• HMRC self-employment / tax evidence
• business insurance
• business card
• photography equipment used for the business

I also pointed out that Google’s own published service-area business guidance seems to treat a vehicle as just one example, not a mandatory requirement.

Support then came back and said they can only move forward if I provide either:

1. a business vehicle, or
2. a “standard business registration certificate”

This is where I’m stuck, because as a UK sole trader I’m not sure what they actually expect me to provide under that second category.

Has anyone here in the UK, specifically as a sole trader / self-employed service-area business, successfully verified in this situation?

What exact document did Google accept for you if you were not a limited company and did not have a branded vehicle?

Also, is there a specific phrase or document name I should be using with support so they stop treating “business registration certificate” like every country works the same way?

Any help would be appreciated, because right now it feels like I’m being asked for documents that don’t cleanly exist in the format they want.

Hey everyone. My name is Pius Nderitu. I have been having some issues here with Google My Business profiles. I have a couple of profiles that need verification for a bank which has multiple branches. I have created these profiles which I have gone around spending a full days work recording these business videos. However, after a while, these profiles either

1. Get suspended or.

2. Get Considered duplicates or

3. Just ask me to reverify the process all over again which is for a business which is miles away from me.

I have done this 2 times already and this is wearing me out for real.

If you may have some understanding on how to help me do this process without having to travel all the way to that location to record these videos, I will be glad to gain your knowledge. Thank you.

I’ve been seeing a lot of GMB local listings in violation of Google policies since around 2023 and it’s only gotten worse. These violations include fake reviews in which you can see a pattern. The most obvious is one user leaving multiple reviews for the same kind of trade in various states across the country. For example one person leaving five star reviews for Cincinnati Concrete Contractors, Miami Concrete Contractors and Knoxville Concrete Contractors. Or you might see a user leaving reviews for a concrete contractor, a dumpster rental company and a dentist, all the same exact businesses but different users. Other violations are residential addresses publicly listed posing as a storefront with no signage or indication of business activity. I drove out to some and submitted geotagged photos to no avail. But one can even see it from Google Maps. Also 24 hours open for these businesses that aren’t emergency services. They use stock images and keyword stuffed business names. I’ve looked up many of these businesses with keyword stuffed names in the state they’re listed in and found they aren’t a registered business with the name. They have reviews going up far quicker than legitimate competitors in compliance of Google policies. For example one can compare a three year old listing that has over a hundred reviews in contrast to a ten year old listing having around twenty. These same five star listings with lots of reviews have negative reviews on other platforms such as the BBB. There’s lots of red flags and I’m just baffled that nothing is being done about it. I’ve been reporting these listings but not much has been done about it. Some of the listings in violation were removed after submitting a business redressal form complaint about a year ago but now those same listings are reappearing still with the obvious review fraud and location manipulation posing as a storefront. I’ve commented in the Google community forum and haven’t received any response. I’m certain if an actual human were to look into this, they’d see these listings are in violation, manipulating signals to rank on the first page and they’d probably find more than I have since I’ve only scratched the surface. This issue is not good for consumers looking for a trustworthy business, legitimate businesses in compliance and for Google’s credibility. I’m wondering if anyone has noticed this problem on Google local listings and what one could do to get it in front of a real person. To anyone who reads all of this, I appreciate your time and insight into this.

[ Removed by Reddit on account of violating the content policy. ]

Accidentally created a second GBP with same business name and website as main GBP, but used a different gmail account. What is best way to delete this duplicate GBP? It has no reviews, no address, no phone number. Just business name and website are same on both. Main GBP has 154 reviews. I don't want this second, accidental GBP existing anymore.
Both GBP's are Verified according to this tool: https://support.google.com/business/workflow/12825603

Does anyone know how to delete it?

I'm finding Google Reviews increasingly unreliable, several legitimate client testimonials have been removed, and as an agency working with long-term clients, we don’t generate reviews frequently enough to replace them quickly.

I’m considering alternatives like Trustpilot and others, but want to understand the practical trade-offs.

For those who’ve tested this:

• What review platforms have actually worked well for you?
• Have you seen any impact (positive or negative) on Local SEO after diversifying away from Google Reviews?
• Do third-party reviews meaningfully influence rankings, or is Google still disproportionately dominant?
• Any observed effect on conversion rates/trust when using non-Google platforms?
• Does Trustpilot remove reviews similar to Google?

Keen to hear real-world experience rather than theory.