How to Fix Google My Business Errors: Step-by-Step Guide
Introduction:
Google My Business (GMB) is a powerful tool to manage your online presence, but sometimes errors can prevent your business from appearing properly on Google Search or Maps. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you troubleshoot and fix common GMB errors.
1. Incorrect Business Information
- Problem: Wrong business name, address, phone number (NAP), or hours of operation.
- Solution:
- Log in to your GMB account.
- Click on the “Info” tab.
- Edit the incorrect details by clicking on the pencil icon next to the information.
- Save the changes, which will be reviewed by Google before updating.
2. Business Not Showing Up on Google Search or Maps
- Problem: Your business listing isn’t visible when you search for it.
- Solution:
- Ensure your business listing is verified. Unverified listings do not appear in Google Search or Maps.
- Log in to GMB, and next to your business name, check if you see a “Verification required” label.
- Follow the steps to verify your business via postcard, phone, or email.
- Ensure that your address and NAP details are correctly formatted.
3. Duplicate Listings
- Problem: You have more than one listing for the same business.
- Solution:
- Log in to your GMB dashboard.
- In the left menu, click on “Manage Locations.”
- Identify duplicate listings (they will have the same address or phone number).
- Either merge or delete the duplicate listing by selecting the “Remove” option or contacting Google Support for assistance.
4. Pending Review Status
- Problem: Your business is stuck in “Pending Review” status.
- Solution:
- Reviews can take up to 3 days. If it’s taking longer, double-check that your information complies with Google’s guidelines.
- If everything is correct, contact Google My Business support for a status update.
5. Business Suspended
- Problem: Your GMB listing is suspended and is not showing up in search results.
- Solution:
- Review the suspension email to understand the reason.
- Log in to GMB, and fix any violations such as incorrect business information or unauthorized use of keywords in the business name.
- After corrections, submit a reinstatement request to Google.
6. Photos Not Showing Up
- Problem: Uploaded photos do not appear on your business profile.
- Solution:
- Ensure your photos comply with Google’s photo guidelines (format, size, and content).
- Re-upload the photos with correct specifications.
- It may take up to 24 hours for photos to appear, so be patient.
7. Category Selection Mistake
- Problem: Wrong or irrelevant categories chosen for your business.
- Solution:
- Log in to GMB and click on “Info.”
- Scroll to the “Categories” section.
- Click on the pencil icon and select the correct primary and secondary categories.
- Save the changes.
8. Unable to Verify the Business
- Problem: Not receiving the verification code or unable to complete verification.
- Solution:
- Ensure your address is correct and up-to-date.
- Choose alternative verification options like phone or email if available.
- If the postcard doesn’t arrive, request it again after ensuring your address follows Google’s format.
- Contact GMB support if the issue persists.
9. Reviews Missing or Not Displaying
- Problem: Customer reviews are not visible on your business listing.
- Solution:
- Reviews may be flagged if they violate Google’s review policy.
- Ask customers to edit or rewrite reviews that might include restricted content (e.g., offensive language, irrelevant topics).
- Wait for Google to process the review after updates.
- If legitimate reviews are missing, contact GMB support for further assistance.
10. Map Pin Incorrectly Positioned
- Problem: The pin on Google Maps is not located at the correct spot.
- Solution:
- Log in to GMB and click “Info.”
- Scroll down to the location and map section, then click on the pencil icon next to the address.
- Drag the map pin to the correct location manually.
- Save the changes, and the new pin location will be updated after Google reviews it.
Conclusion:
Fixing Google My Business errors is crucial for maintaining an accurate and effective online presence. Following these steps will help ensure that your business information is correct and visible to potential customers. Regularly monitor your GMB listing to catch and resolve issues before they impact your business.