Google Business Suspensions Are More Common Than You Think

Picture this: You go to check your Google Business Profile (GBP), and instead of seeing your business front and center, you see a suspension notice. No warning. No explanation. Just… gone.

If that sounds like a nightmare, you’re not alone. Every year, thousands of legitimate businesses experience sudden and unexpected suspensions, completely removing them from Google Search and Maps.

Here’s the kicker—Google doesn’t disclose how often this happens, but industry estimates suggest that 35% of business profiles face a suspension annually. That means hundreds of thousands of real businesses could be impacted each year.

Now, Google’s goal is good—they’re trying to fight spam and fake listings. In 2021, they removed over 7 million fraudulent business profiles. By 2023, that number jumped to 12 million. But in their effort to clean up the platform, a lot of real businesses get caught in the crossfire.

And when that happens? It’s not just frustrating—it’s a huge risk to your revenue and visibility. If customers can’t find you, they can’t call, visit, or leave reviews. That’s a problem.

Why Do Legitimate Businesses Get Suspended?

Google’s systems aren’t perfect. Many businesses are suspended without cause and without explanation. Here’s why it happens:

🔹 Algorithm Mistakes (AKA, Google Got It Wrong)

Google’s automated systems sometimes suspend profiles incorrectly—especially when they roll out mass suspension sweeps.

For example, in 2019, Google accidentally suspended tons of businesses in industries known for fake listings, like locksmiths and plumbers.

And in 2024, reports showed Google mass-disabled profiles in industries like:
✔️ Garage door repair
✔️ Dumpster rental services
✔️ Tree services
✔️ Personal injury law firms

Even businesses that follow all the rules are sometimes caught up in these suspensions.

🔹 Competitor Sabotage (Yes, This Actually Happens)

Some unethical competitors falsely report legitimate businesses as “spam” or “non-existent.”

Since Google’s system is automated, these false reports can trigger an instant suspension—and YOU are left scrambling to prove you exist.

🔹 Sudden Changes to Your Business Info

Making updates to your GBP—like changing your hours, adding a location, or updating your phone number—can sometimes trigger an automated suspension.

Why? Because Google flags inconsistencies, and frequent edits can make your business look suspicious (even if you’re just keeping things up to date).

🔹 Accidental Policy Violations

Google’s guidelines are strict, and if you unknowingly break a rule, your profile could get suspended. Some common mistakes include:

❌ Using a P.O. Box or virtual office instead of a real address
❌ Keyword stuffing your business name (e.g., “Joe’s Plumbing – #1 Best Cheap Plumber in New York”)

❌ Using your home address as your location instead of listing your business as a service area (if you are doing this, you are living on borrowed time)
❌ Listing services that don’t match your actual business

Using a Coworking Space for Your Google Business Profile (Without Getting Suspended)

If you run your business out of a coworking space or shared office, you might have heard that Google doesn’t allow these addresses for Business Profiles—but that’s not entirely true.

As mentioned above, Google prohibits the use of virtual offices, P.O. Boxes, and mail-receiving services like UPS Stores as business addresses. However, legitimate coworking spaces that offer dedicated office spaces, signage, and commercial accessibility can be used—if you set up your profile correctly.

Here’s how to ensure your coworking space business address is Google-compliant and (hopefully) won’t get flagged for suspension.

✅ What Google Allows

• Dedicated, private office space with a lease – Your business must have a physical office where customers can visit you during stated business hours.
• A unique, verifiable address – Your business should have a distinct suite number or office designation within the coworking center.
• Permanent signage – Google prefers businesses that have clear branding or signage at the location.
• Staffed office hours – If your business is listed as a location customers can visit, you need to be there during your published hours.

If your coworking space, like the coworking space we own and operate (Highland Business Center & Coworking Space), provides commercial-grade office spaces with private addresses and client access, then your Google Business Profile should be safe—as long as you follow best practices.

🚫 To Reiterate, Here's What Google Does NOT Allow:

• P.O. Boxes – You cannot use a P.O. Box or USPS mail-forwarding service as your business address.
• UPS Store or Virtual Mailboxes – Even if a UPS Store gives you a "Suite #" for mail, Google still considers this a mailbox—not a real office.
• Unstaffed virtual offices – If your business is in a coworking space but you don’t actually work there or meet clients there, Google may flag your listing as ineligible.

📌 Best Practices for Listing a Coworking Space Address on Google

• Use a Specific, Verifiable Suite or Office Number
  • Example: Instead of “123 Main Street,” list your full address with suite number (e.g., “123 Main Street, Suite 400”).
• Provide Business Verification Documents
  • Google may ask for proof of your physical presence at the location. Be ready to provide:
    ✔️ A lease agreement or business license
    ✔️ Mail with your business name & address
    ✔️ Photos of your office space and signage
• Make Sure Your Business Hours Are Accurate
  • If you list your business as open to walk-ins, someone must be present during those hours to avoid suspension.
• Use High-Quality Photos
  • Upload pictures of:
    📌 Your office entrance
    📌 Your business signage
    📌 The interior of your workspace
• Avoid Using Shared Reception Phone Numbers
  • Use your own dedicated business phone number instead of a coworking space’s general contact line.

Coworking spaces can be a great home base for your business—as long as you set up your Google Business Profile correctly.

By ensuring your business has a dedicated, verifiable address with real client access, you can avoid suspension while still taking advantage of the flexibility and community benefits of a coworking space.

What Happens When Your Google Profile Is Suspended?

🚨 Your business disappears from Google. No search results, no Maps listing. Customers won’t be able to find you.

📉 Calls & Leads Drop—Fast. Some businesses report up to a 90% drop in phone calls and inquiries when suspended.

❌ Your Reviews Vanish. Since your profile is hidden, your Google reviews become invisible, making you seem less trustworthy.

💰 Lost Revenue. If your business depends on Google for leads, a suspension can cost thousands of dollars in lost sales—sometimes in just a few weeks.

Some businesses have lost tens of thousands of dollars before getting reinstated. That’s why having a backup plan is non-negotiable.

Getting Your Profile Reinstated: What to Expect

Let’s be real—dealing with Google’s support system is frustrating. Here’s what you should know:

👉 Google Will Notify You That You Were Suspended, and you’ll get an email stating their reason.

👉 The Appeals Process Takes Time. So you'll want to get started right away.  It's a smoother process than it used to be, but you'll likely work with overseas support, which isn't quick.

👉 Support Is Limited. Google doesn’t offer phone support for GBP issues—only online forms and email.

👉 Appeals Are Often Rejected. Many business owners find that their first appeal is denied—with no real explanation.

👉 Some Business Owners Have to Submit Multiple Appeals. If your initial request gets rejected, you may have to keep applying. But, at that point, it may be in your best interest to work with a professional- I'm happy to share a referral if you ever need one!

How to Prevent (or Recover from) a Suspension

✅ Prevention Tips

✔️ Double-Check Your Business Info – Make sure your name, address, and phone number (NAP) match exactly across all listings.

✔️ Avoid Virtual Offices, P.O. Boxes or using your Home Address as your Business Address – Google prefers physical locations or clearly defined service-area businesses.

✔️ Make Gradual Changes – If you need to update your profile, change one thing at a time to avoid triggering an auto-suspension.

✔️ Stay Active on Your Profile – Respond to reviews, post updates, and engage regularly to show Google your business is legit.

🚑 If You Get Suspended

📌 Submit a Reinstatement Request ASAP – Gather proof (photos, business license, lease agreement) and appeal immediately.

📌 Be Persistent – If your first appeal is rejected, don’t stop—submit more documentation and keep pushing.

📌 Hire an Expert if Needed – Some SEO professionals specialize in GBP reinstatements and can help you navigate the process. I know a great one- so please reach out if you need help!

📌 Diversify Your Marketing – DO NOT rely solely on Google for visibility. Build a strategy that works even if Google disappears tomorrow.  This is something I am SOOOO passionate about and the FREE tool at THIS LINK can help you get a great start!

Why You MUST Diversify Your Marketing (and How to Do It)

Too many businesses rely 100% on Google for leads—but what happens when Google takes your profile down?

Smart business owners build multiple marketing channels to keep customers coming in from multiple sources. Here’s how:

✔️ SEO-Optimized Website – A strong website with high-ranking blog content brings in organic traffic, no matter what Google does.

✔️ Email Marketing – Your email list is an asset you OWN. Start building it now so you’re not at the mercy of search engines.

✔️ Social Media Marketing – A strong Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn presence helps keep your brand top of mind.

✔️ Claim Your Business on Other Platforms – Yelp, Apple Maps, and Bing Places (yes, we think Bing is just as annoying as you do, but if it's popping up on your computer, it's popping up on everyone else's, too, and you want to be in their listing when it happens!) are great backups in case of a Google suspension.

Final Thoughts

A Google Business Profile suspension doesn’t have to ruin your business—but only if you’re prepared.

By taking preventive steps, knowing how to recover, and building a marketing strategy that doesn’t rely solely on Google, you can protect your visibility and revenue—no matter what happens.