Reinstating Suspended/Disabled GBPs

Reinstating Suspended/Disabled Listings

Step By Step - Reinstating Suspended/Disabled Listings

Step 1: Identify Why Google Suspended Your Listing

Use Guidelines for representing your business on Google to attempt to identify any guideline breaches.

Correct the issue on the GBP.

Step 2: Submit For Reinstatement

Inside the GBP account click ‘support’ bottom left hand corner. Follow the prompts to request reinstatement.

Submit ONLY ONE request at a time until you received feedback from Google.

Once You Receive Email From Google With Decision

Approved: Great job! Keep in mind the listing will need time to settle. Google will watch the listing closely for some time. Continue to add branded supporting online presence until you feel comfortable editing the listing.

Denied: Continue to Step 3.

Step 3: First Attempt To Reinstate Denied

Often Google won’t give you a reason why your listing was suspended which is frustrating. Attempt again to identify any breaches of Google's guidelines and correct them.

If you can’t find anything, you may appeal the decision.

For a client listing it’s easiest to ask your client for business documents supporting the business address being at the listed address. I.e. utility bill, business registration, business license etc. Attach this to your appeal.

Note: You can submit these documents if you have them the first time you request reinstatement for a better chance of approval

For lead gens I have seen people forge these documents which can work.

I am not advocating this, and am uncertain of any legal ramifications this may hold.

To do this, scan a relevant document to your computer. Most new mobile phone cameras come with a scan feature which is fine for this. Send the file to your computer via email or Facebook messaging yourself.

Use Canva or other image software along with Windows snipping tool to cut/paste new information onto the document you uploaded.

Request for reinstatement and attach the documents.

Step 4: Second Attempt To Reinstate Denied

If for some reason Google still won’t reinstate your listing after a second attempt, it’s likely Google suspects the listing is a lead gen.

For a client listing you can request a video call between your client and Google to verify the listing is a real local business.

For a lead gen you don't have many options.

If you submitted forged documents in your second attempt, move on to a new address/phone number and start the process fresh.

You can attempt the video call yourself. However, you will need to be physically present at the business listing address to take the call so for some GBPs this is not a viable option.

The Google representative you speak to will only ask basic questions (business hours, what you do etc), but may request to see evidence the business is real such as tools, equipment, documentation etc.

Keep in mind the person conducting the interview likely doesn't care in the slightest about your listing or if it’s fake.

Once you have had the conversation they should reinstate the listing.

Note: Sometimes the Google algorithm will sandbox (prevent from ranking) your listing for a period of time I've seen it last 6 months.

Usually this happens in spam niches where your listing was suspended 'due to suspicious activity' or something similar.

If the listing was previously ranking, it may take some time for your rankings to come back.

If it’s been more than a few weeks you can contact support again to ask if there are any issues.

Always continue to build out your online presence as per normal regardless of suspensions/sandboxed listings.