As a business owner, you want to make sure your customers can easily find your store or office location. One of the most important ways to achieve this is by listing your business on Google Maps. However, if you’ve noticed that your business isn’t showing up on Google Maps, it can be frustrating. There are several reasons why this might be happening, and here, we will explore them in detail. By the end of this article, you should have a better understanding of what might be causing the issue and how to fix it.
Your Google My Business Listing is Incomplete or Inaccurate
One of the most common reasons why businesses don’t appear on Google Maps is because their Google My Business (GMB) listing is incomplete or inaccurate. GMB is a free tool that allows businesses to manage their online presence on Google Maps. You need to make sure that all the information is accurate and up-to-date, including your business name, address, phone number, website, business category, and business hours. If any of this information is inaccurate or incomplete, Google may not show your business on Google Maps.
Your Business Information is Inconsistent Across the Internet
Another reason why your business may not be showing up on Google Maps is due to inconsistent business information across the internet. Google uses several sources to determine the accuracy of your business information, and if they find discrepancies, they may choose not to show your business on Google Maps. This is why it’s essential to ensure that your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are consistent and up-to-date across all online directories, review sites, and social media platforms.
Your Business is Too New or Doesn’t Have Enough Reviews
If your business is relatively new, it may not appear on Google Maps right away. Google’s algorithms prioritize businesses that have been around for a while and have established a strong online presence. Additionally, businesses with plenty of positive reviews are more likely to appear on Google Maps. If you’re just starting, make sure to encourage your customers to leave reviews on Google, and aim to establish an online presence by creating social media profiles, maintaining your website, and listing your business on online directories.
Your Website Does not Have Enough Links
Google Maps is designed to show businesses within a particular service area. If your website however does not have enough links pointing to it, it may not be showing up on Google Maps. Why? Because Google has issues with figuring out, if you are indeed a reputable business or not. You need to check with an SEO consultant or use one of the free tools that show you how many links are pointing back to your website domain. If your business shows up on Google Maps, this is not the issue. However, if it doesn’t, you may need to hire an SEO agency or start building some backlinks yourself.
Your Business Has Been Suspended or Removed from Google Maps
In some cases, Google may suspend or remove your business from Google Maps. This can happen if your business violates Google’s guidelines or policies. Some common violations include keyword stuffing, fake reviews, PO boxes or shared office addresses, and misrepresenting your business location.
If you see that your business has been suspended or removed from Google Maps, you need to take action immediately. You can start by reviewing Google’s guidelines and policies and correcting any violations. If you’re not sure what to do, you can reach out to Google’s support team for help. Hiring an SEO agency can help you resolve such matters swiftly.
Local SEO Matters
As you can see, there are various reasons why your business might not be showing up on Google Maps. However, the good news is that most of these issues can be easily fixed. To ensure that your business appears on Google Maps, make sure your Google My Business listing is accurate and up-to-date, your business information is consistent across the internet, encourage your customers to leave reviews, check if your business location is within Google’s service area, and follow Google’s guidelines and policies.
By doing so, you can increase your chances of appearing on Google Maps and improve your online visibility, which can drive more customers to your business. If you need help, reach out. We can always take care of this for you.
