Google Business Profile Suspensions Rise, But Appeals Are Delayed

In recent months, Google Business Profile (GBP) suspensions have been on the rise, with appeal times stretching from just five days to nearly five weeks. This situation has caused growing frustration among small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that heavily rely on Google for lead generation.

A Growing Issue with Suspensions

Since January, reports of GBP suspensions have increased significantly. February marked the highest number of forum complaints since August, and March is expected to surpass that record as well. Experts are warning businesses to refrain from making any profile edits while these issues persist.

As complaints surge, forum activity has intensified, peaking on Mondays and Tuesdays when business owners return to address issues. These forums act as an indicator of the challenges businesses are facing with Google Business Profiles.

Why Are Suspensions Increasing?

The root cause of this spike in suspensions remains unclear, and Google has yet to offer any official explanation. It’s speculated that recent algorithm updates aimed at increasing listing trustworthiness may inadvertently trigger suspensions, even with minor profile changes.

Furthermore, Google’s support is struggling to keep up with the increased volume of appeals, resulting in significantly delayed responses. While appeals once took around five days to resolve, they are now taking four weeks or more.

Bulk and API Accounts Also Affected

Bulk and API account users are experiencing similar issues. These accounts, typically used by large corporate entities to manage multiple locations, are now facing manual re-verification requirements, even after minor edits. This has led to significant challenges in maintaining accurate business information across multiple locations.

Google has acknowledged the issue, but the resolution is still pending. In the meantime, third-party platforms like Yext have reported ongoing problems related to re-verification.