Google Business Profiles (GBPs) might look simple on the surface, but behind the scenes, they’re like a giant game of Jenga. One seemingly harmless change can cause unexpected ripple effects like disabling key features, hiding your business from search results, or, in some cases, getting your profile suspended altogether.
Want an example? Imagine adding an “online appointment” option to your profile. Sounds pretty benign, right? Well… That change will actually disable showing local justifications in the search results. Didn’t see that coming, did you?
And that’s just one of the many hidden quirks in Google’s system. If you’ve ever wondered why your GBP doesn’t seem to be performing as well as it could—or worse, why it’s been suspended—you’re not alone. Let’s break down how the wrong configuration choices can lead to unintended consequences, and why navigating Google Business Profiles is a lot trickier than it seems.
When Turning One Thing On Turns Another Thing Off
Google’s GBP system has a lot of interdependencies, meaning that turning one feature on can inadvertently turn something else off—or even cause bigger problems down the line. Let’s dive into a couple of examples to show how this works.
- Online Appointment Blocks Local Justifications
As we mentioned earlier, enabling the “online appointment” or “online services” attribute might seem like a smart move, especially for service-based businesses. However, this choice will block your profile from showing local justifications. What’s a “local justification” you ask? We covered a lot of that in a previous post, but it’s those helpful little snippets that highlight things like recent reviews, services, or promotions in search results. Local justifications can be a powerful trust signal for potential customers. Losing them could mean fewer clicks and less business. While this setting might be appropriate for some businesses, it’s not ideal for most home service pros. The good news? If you’ve made this mistake, removing the attribute usually reactivates justifications within 48 hours. - Service Area Business? Say Goodbye to the Map Pin
If your business operates as a service area business (SAB) (anyone who goes to the customer rather than the customer coming to your location) your physical address will be hidden on Google Maps. Instead, you set a service area, which is perfect for mobile businesses that don’t have a brick-and-mortar address for customers to visit. But here’s the trade-off: When you designate your company as an SAB, you’ll lose your map pin on Google Maps. While this is fine for businesses that truly operate without a physical location, it could confuse customers who are searching for someone nearby. On the flip side, if you try to game the system by showing a physical address even though you don’t actually have one, you’ll likely face Google’s wrath in the form of a profile suspension. Google doesn’t mess around when it comes to enforcing its rules, and recovering from a suspension can be a lengthy and frustrating process.
Google Business Profiles Are Full of Landmines
These examples highlight a broader truth about GBPs: They’re deceptively tricky to manage. From the outside, it looks like a simple tool to help your business show up in local search. But dig deeper, and you’ll find all kinds of quirks, hidden rules, and potential pitfalls that can hurt your visibility.
The reality is, Google’s system isn’t just about adding your business name and calling it a day. It’s about knowing how different features interact, understanding the trade-offs of each choice, and navigating the ever-changing guidelines to avoid missteps.
For example:
- Enabling the wrong setting might cause important features to disappear.
- Trying to “cheat” the system (e.g., adding a fake address) can get your profile suspended.
- Missing key updates or making the wrong changes can hurt your local search rankings.
It’s like walking through a minefield. If you know where the traps are, you can avoid them and get to the other side safely. But if you’re unsure (or unaware of the dangers) it’s easy to make a mistake that could cost you valuable visibility.
Why You Need an Expert
This is why working with a professional is so important when it comes to managing your Google Business Profile. At Prospect Genius, we specialize in optimizing GBPs for small businesses. We’ve seen firsthand how small missteps can lead to big problems, and we know how to avoid them. Whether you need to set up a new GBP, or to recover a suspended Google Business Profile, we’re here to help. And yes, you can even sign up for these services online.
Don’t let Google’s hidden quirks hold your business back. Let Prospect Genius guide you through the minefield so you can focus on what you do best: running your business and serving your customers.
