1. Don't panic, and don't make a new listing
The first instinct is to create a fresh profile. Google's appeal instructions say plainly not to create a new Business Profile for the same business while an appeal is under review. A duplicate can make things harder to sort out.
Also avoid editing the name, address and category over and over while you wait. Change only what you know is wrong.
2. Find out what exactly happened
There are two different situations, and they are fixed in a different order:
- The profile is suspended or disabled. The listing has been taken down or limited. You appeal the profile.
- Your Google account is restricted. Google says that when an account is restricted, the Business Profiles it manages are suspended and it cannot create or claim new ones. You appeal the account first, from your Google account's "My accounts" page, and then the profile.
Google's appeals tool shows the restricted profile, the reason for the action and a link to the policy it says was broken. Read that before doing anything else.
3. Check the usual causes against your listing
These come straight from Google's guidelines for representing a business. Any one of them can lead to a suspension:
- Extra words in the business name. The name should be your real-world name, as on your signboard and stationery. Adding keywords or locations ("Best Dental Clinic Hyderabad") is not allowed.
- An address you don't really operate from. Virtual offices are not eligible. A coworking address only counts if it has clear signage, receives customers and is staffed by your business during business hours.
- A home-based business showing its address. If you go to your customers rather than them coming to you, Google expects you to hide the address and set service areas instead.
- A service area that is too big. Google says it shouldn't go much beyond about two hours' drive from where you are based.
- No in-person contact. To qualify, a business has to meet customers in person during its stated hours. Online-only businesses are not eligible.
Google's appeal page asks you to make sure the profile follows all the guidelines before you appeal. So fix what is genuinely wrong first.
4. Gather evidence that matches your listing
Google lists the kinds of documents that can strengthen an appeal: official business registration, a business licence, tax certificates, and utility bills for the business (electricity, phone, water, internet). The business name and address on them should match the profile you are appealing.
That matching matters. A bill in a family member's name at a different address does not match, and matching is what Google asks for.
5. Submit the appeal, and the evidence in time
- Open Google's Business Profile appeals tool while signed in to the Google account connected to the profile.
- Pick the profile, submit the appeal, then choose to add evidence.
- Once the evidence form is open, Google says you must submit it within 60 minutes or it won't be attached. Have your documents ready before you start.
- Google reviews the appeal and emails you the decision.
6. Track it, and know what the status means
The appeals tool shows one of: Submitted, Approved, Not Approved, Can't be appealed, or Eligible for appeal. If your appeal is denied, Google offers an additional review, where you can add evidence you didn't include the first time.
7. Be careful who you pay
Nobody outside Google can guarantee a reinstatement. Be wary of anyone who promises one for a fee, asks for your Google password, or suggests creating a new listing to get around the suspension.