Why Your Google Business Profile Isn't Showing Up (and How to Fix It)

Your Google Business Profile is often the first thing a local customer sees, sometimes before your website. If it's not showing up, you're invisible in the map pack. Here's how to work out why.

1. Is it verified?

Unverified profiles don't show reliably. Log in and check for a verification prompt. If verification failed, request it again.

2. Has it been suspended?

Suspensions happen for things like keyword-stuffed business names, virtual office addresses or policy issues. Look for a warning in your dashboard and follow Google's reinstatement process.

3. Are you searching the right way?

Searching your exact business name is different to searching "web designer near me." You may show for one and not the other. Test the searches your customers actually use.

4. Is your primary category right?

Your primary category is one of the strongest signals. Choose the most specific one that matches your main service, then add secondary categories.

5. Address vs service area

If you work from home or visit customers, set a service area and hide your address. Make sure the areas you list are realistic.

6. Thin or inconsistent details

Fill in everything: services, hours, description, photos, website link. Make sure your name, phone and address match your website and other listings exactly.

7. Reviews and activity

Profiles with regular genuine reviews and fresh photos and posts tend to perform better. Ask happy customers for reviews and reply to them.

8. Your website matters too

Google cross-checks your profile with your website. Clear service and location pages, fast mobile performance and consistent details all help your profile rank.

Still stuck?

Local SEO is a big part of what I do, from fixing profiles to building pages that help you rank. See my SEO service or get in touch for a quick check.