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Google Business Profile Suspensions Rise, But Appeals Are Delayed

Google Business Profile Suspensions Rise, But Appeals Are Delayed

  • 21.03.2025 18:52
  • searchenginejournal.com
  • Keywords: Google, Small Business

Google Business Profile suspensions have surged since January, with appeals delayed from five days to nearly five weeks. Many small businesses rely on Google for leads, making these suspensions particularly challenging. The cause remains unclear, and experts advise avoiding changes to listings until the issue is resolved.

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Google is causing issues with suspensions and delays in appeals for small businesses.

Context

Analysis of Google Business Profile Suspensions and Market Implications

  • Suspension Increase: Google Business Profile (GBP) suspensions have steadily risen since January.
  • Appeal Delays: Appeal resolution times have increased significantly, from ~5 days to nearly 5 weeks.
  • SMB Impact: For many small businesses (SMBs), Google is a primary lead driver. Suspensions disrupt their operations and revenue.
  • Support Burden: The weekly influx of suspension-related posts in support forums has accelerated, peaking on Mondays or Tuesdays.
  • Unclear Cause: The exact reason for the increase in suspensions remains unknown.
  • Recommendation: No changes to listings (individual, API-managed, bulk) are advised until Google clarifies issues or addresses the appeals backlog.
  • Competitive Dynamics: Other local search platforms may gain market share as SMBs seek alternatives due to GBP disruptions.
  • Long-Term Effects: Delayed appeal resolutions could harm business reputation and customer trust in Google’s verification process.
  • Regulatory Concerns: Potential regulatory scrutiny if the suspension issue persists, impacting Google’s dominance in local search.