Source (AI): https://www.123rf.com/
If you’ve been working on creating a new Google Business Profile (GBP) account—whether for yourself or your clients—you may have already encountered this dreaded issue! The image above perfectly represents how you might be feeling right now.
Here’s an overview of how this situation may have unfolded:
1. You create a Google Business Profile account.
2. You update all the required information.
3. At the end, when prompted, you verify it—either via postcard (now rarely available), OTP on your phone, or a live video.
4. Suddenly, you receive an email or notification from Google, or notice a status update on your GBP, saying your account has been “Suspended!”
What? What the heck did I do wrong?
You check again and dig deeper. The reason? **”Deceptive content.”** Scratching your head?
You review everything, tweak potential issues, and resubmit—but no luck. The account remains suspended.
If you’re advised to complete a live video verification, you do that as well.
Now what?
You do some research (or follow Google’s suspension email instructions) and find the option to **file an appeal**. You discover the **GBP Appeal Form**, gather all the required documents and media, submit them, and now… you wait—hopefully for a positive outcome.
After all, you’re sure this suspension must be a mistake.
You receive an acknowledgment email from Google, but it’s just a copy-paste response asking you to review their guidelines and policies.
Sounds familiar?
This is exactly what many SEOs are dealing with daily—struggling to navigate this frustrating process.
Hang on!
If you missed it earlier, check the **first email** you received after your appeal or when your account was suspended. Towards the end, you’ll find an option instructing you to review all policies or simply **reply to the email** if you’re confident your account should be reinstated.
So, you reply—and now, another waiting game begins.
A few things to expect:
If you receive a reply (eventually), Google will likely ask you to submit:
– Business registration proof (government-issued).
– Photos/videos as evidence to prove your business is legitimate.
You submit everything.
Best-case scenario?
Your request is accepted, and your account is reinstated. 🎉
Worst-case scenario?
You receive the same generic response—your GBP ‘violates guidelines‘ and ‘cannot be reinstated‘.
Now what?
I have a couple of suggestions for you! Let me know.
Or, just hang on there!
