Addresses For GBPs

Virtual Mailboxes & PO Boxes

These are 100% a breech of Google's guidelines. You can see here in the second line under Address.

However, we can SOMETIMES use them to set up a listing knowing there is a risk of suspension. Another thing to be careful of is sometimes (rarely) more than one account can be suspended if the GBPs are somehow linked. Such as using the same email to set up & manage multiple listings.

If you choose to use one of these methods to create your listing/s, try to make sure there is no way of Google identifying the listing address is not a staffed location. ALWAYS hide the address, and choose locations the UPS/Regis or other remote mailbox service can't be easily seen from street view on Google Maps.

Be aware people from the public can make suggestions on Google Business Profiles to alert Google of these accounts (or any other breach of guidelines) if they suspect the listing. This can happen regularly in some competitive locations/industries.

Showing Your Address

If you are creating a service area business only. Ie. one that does not serve customers at the listing address location, you should choose to hide your address to avoid the risk of suspension.

Google does not like home/household addresses being displayed on GBPs.

If the business legitimately serves customers at their home location (ie. in home massages) you may choose to show the address.

Be prepared in advance with documentation (ie. utility bill showing address + business name, etc) to send to Google to prove the business is real to reinstate the listing if it becomes suspended.

Unfortunately, GBPs rank better/faster/easier when the address is shown. This can be tough for service area business

This does not mean you NEED to show your address. It means it will be more difficult/take longer to rank in a map pack against 3 competitor businesses who ARE displaying their address.

You can find more info here under Address.

Finding Addresses For Lead Gens & Multiple Client Listings

Google Business Profiles are made for "local" businesses only. Lead generation websites/business are not deemed local business by Google so it can be difficult to create listings for them without the required preparation. Follow these steps for preparation.

Here are two methods currently working to find & set up remote GBP listings:

1. Find friends and family in areas you would like to set up a lead gen.

   1. If the person you have asked is concerned, let them know their address will not be displayed on the listing itself but may be seen on directories used for citations. These are rarely seen by anyone.

   2. It is up to you & your friend/family member if you still want to use an address if the person is concerned.

2. Using the Facebook Job Method seen here

   1. People tend to overthink this method so keep it as simple as possible.

   2. I have set up more than 50 GBPs using this method

NOTE: No other method is working consistently at the moment despite what someone might tell you in a Facebook message asking you to purchase listings from them. There are other methods for verifying remote GBP accounts but unfortunately Google continues to 'tighten the screws' on what listings qualify for these.