How to Keep Your GMB Account From Being Suspended
Google My Business (GMB) is a powerful tool that many businesses use as the cornerstone of their marketing strategy. With a GMB listing, it’s easy for potential clients and customers to find and contact your business.
Unpacking recent changes to Google My Business
Recently, Google implemented some quiet changes that could impact businesses that rely on coworking space and other shared office arrangements.
Today, we’re going to take a look at the change and share some tips that you can use to remain compliant with GMB.
This is the new line that Google added to it’s Guidelines for representing your business on Google page:
"Businesses can't list an office at a coworking space unless that office maintains clear signage, receives customers at the location during business hours, and is staffed during business hours by your business staff."
These new guidelines mean that some businesses who use coworking and shared office space are in danger of being delisted.
Is your business in danger of being delisted on Google My Business?
The short answer is, it depends.
If your current business address doesn’t have clear signage for your company, and if you can’t receive visitors during business hours, you aren’t compliant.
However, if you rent a private office in a virtual office suite that displays signage, receives visitors, and is staffed during business hours, you’re safe.
Other reasons for a Google My Business suspension
Using a coworking space address on GMB isn’t the only reason an account can get suspended. Here are some other common reasons for a suspension:
- Using a UPS store address (sometimes an address that’s near a UPS store can trigger a suspension)
- Using a P.O. Box
- Using a virtual office/shared workspace address (though there are exceptions to this rule, as you’ll soon learn)
- A “move suspension” from moving from a shared office to a new location
- Using an address that’s already been used for other GMB listings
- Displaying a residential address for a Service Area Business (SAB)
- The GMB listing is for a business that offers a service or class in a building not owned by the company (for example, a personal trainer offering classes at a local gym)
Steps to ensure compliance with Google My Business requirements
First things first, figure out which requirement you aren’t meeting.
If your business is using an address at a coworking space or virtual office, and that space doesn’t allow you to meet the new rules, that’s the likely culprit behind your account suspension.
That doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of shared workspace, though.
At Intelligent Office, our virtual office spaces make it easy for you to stay compliant:
- Member businesses have clear signage displayed in lobby directory listings.
- Our friendly receptionists greet all visitors during business hours, and they can direct people to your individual office.
- As long as you’re working from your office during the business hours included in your GMB listing, you’ll meet the final requirement, too.
Every Intelligent Office location is a bit different, however, so we strongly recommend getting in touch with a local office near you.
You’ll be paired with a local Business Services Expert who can share everything you need to know about our business address services and how to stay compliant with Google My Business. Just click here to get in touch today.
Disclaimer:
Google is a private company that enforces their rules based on their interpretation. We have designed our dedicated office offering to meet the current requirements for GMB accounts (which are subject to periodic changes). However, dedicated offices may be confused with co-working spaces by Google (particularly on address transfers). As a result Google may suspend accounts even though you meet their published guidelines. In that case, you will need to submit a reinstatement request. Google ultimately makes the GMB account eligibility decision for their private platform. We cannot guarantee your business will not experience an interruption in service for GMB accounts nor can we guarantee that Google will grant a reinstatement of a suspended account (or that they will do so in a timely manner).
Your local Intelligent Office is happy to assist in providing evidence of compliance with the GMB policy — don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions.
