Why is my business not showing up on Google Maps?
The short answer
It's one of two problems. Either Google can't show you, because your profile is unverified, suspended or set up wrong, or Google won't rank you, because a closer or more established competitor wins the search. A 60-second test tells you which one you have.
The 60-second test
Open a private browser window and search your exact business name and your town, for example "Smith Plumbing Peoria IL".
- You show up: Google can see you. You have a ranking problem.
- You don't show up: open your Google Business Profile and read the status at the top. It will say if you need to verify or if the profile is suspended.
If Google can't show you
Finish verification first. For businesses that work at the customer's home, Google's video verification asks you to show the professional tools, equipment or products you use for work, and proof that you manage the business.
If the profile is suspended, fix whatever broke the rules before anything else, then appeal. Google allows an appeal to be submitted only once, so get it right the first time.
Five fixes you can do today
- Hide your home address if customers don't come to you, and list the areas you serve instead. Google allows up to 20, within about 2 hours of driving from your base.
- Use your real business name. Google says adding extra information, like keywords or a city, isn't permitted and could get the profile suspended.
- Pick the one main category that matches most of your work, then add the services you actually do.
- Keep your name, address and phone exactly the same on your website and every listing.
- Ask every customer for a review, the same way, every time.
If Google won't rank you
Google ranks local results on relevance, distance and prominence, and says there is no way to request or pay for a better local ranking. Distance is the one most owners miss: a competitor closer to the person searching starts ahead of you.
Adding service areas tells customers where you go. It doesn't make you rank there. What pushes your reach out is prominence: more reviews from customers across your area, a page on your website for each town you serve, and listings that all say the same thing.
