When your Google Business Profile (GBP) is up and running smoothly but your business still doesn’t show up on Google, it’s understandable to feel frustrated. Several factors could be causing this, but the good news is that many of these issues have straightforward solutions.

Similarly to why your google reviews may not be showing up, Google’s Guidelines always play a big role in these issues. Let’s explore some of the most common reasons your business might not be appearing on Google and what you can do to resolve the problem.

Table of Contents

• Reason 1: Your Google Business Profile Isn’t Verified Yet
• Reason 2: Incorrect or Inconsistent Business Information
• Reason 3: Poor Website Structure or Technical SEO Issues
• Reason 4: Lack of Google Reviews And How To Get More
• Reason 5: Wrong Google Business Profile Categories
• Reason 6: Not Keeping Your Online Presence Fresh
• Reason 7: Distance from Searcher (Too Far)
• Reason 8: Listing Filtered Out of Results
• Reason 9: Algorithm Updates and Penalties
• Reason 10: High Keyword And Key Phrase Competition
• Reason 11: Home-Based Business? Consider Showing Your Address
• Reason 12: Your Local Market Is Highly Competitive
• Still Need Help?

1. Your Google Business Profile Isn’t Verified Yet

The first thing to check is whether your Google Business Profile is verified. Google requires all businesses to go through a verification process to ensure that the provided information is accurate and trustworthy.

How to Verify Your Google Business Profile:

• Instant Verification: If you’ve already verified your business with Google Search Console, you may be eligible for instant verification.
• By Mail: Google sends a postcard with a verification code to your business address. This process can take up to 14 days.
• By Phone: Some businesses can verify by phone, where Google sends an automated message with a verification code.
• By Email: Google sends the verification code via email.
• Video Verification: This newer method involves submitting a video that shows your business location and operations to confirm legitimacy.

If your business isn’t verified, it won’t appear in Google’s search results. Verification is essential to ensure your business is accurately represented online.

2. Incorrect or Inconsistent Business Information

Google places significant emphasis on the accuracy and consistency of your business information across the web. If your business name, address, or phone number (NAP) varies across different listings, Google might not trust your business enough to rank it highly—or at all.

How to Fix Inconsistent Business Information:

• Audit Your Listings: Check all your listings on directories like Yelp, Bing, and local directories. Ensure that your NAP information is identical across all platforms.
• Update Outdated Information: If you’ve changed your business name, location, or contact details, update this information across all directories and your Google Business Profile.
• Use SEO Tools: Tools like Moz Local or BrightLocal can help automate the process of correcting and maintaining consistent NAP information.

3. Poor Website Structure or Technical SEO Issues

A poorly structured website or technical issues can prevent Google from properly crawling and indexing your site, which can negatively impact your visibility.

How to Optimize Your Website:

• Ensure Proper Indexing: Register your site with Google Search Console to ensure it’s indexed correctly.
• Optimize for Mobile: Make sure your website is mobile-friendly. Google prioritizes mobile-optimized sites in its rankings.
• Improve Page Speed: Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to check and improve your site’s loading speed.
• Fix Broken Links: Regularly audit your site to fix broken links, which can harm your SEO.
• Optimize Your Content: Ensure your site features high-quality, original content that reflects the services you offer. Avoid duplicate content at all costs.

4. Lack of Google Reviews

Google reviews significantly influence your business’s visibility. A lack of reviews, or too many negative ones, can impact your ranking.

How to Increase and Manage Google Reviews:

• Ask for Reviews: Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews. You can do this through follow-up emails, in-person requests, or by placing QR codes in your business location.
• Respond to Reviews: Engage with both positive and negative reviews. Responding professionally to reviews shows that you value customer feedback and can help improve your reputation.
• Avoid Fake Reviews: Never purchase fake reviews. Google’s algorithms are sophisticated and can detect inauthentic reviews, which can lead to penalties.

5. Wrong Google Business Profile Categories

Choosing the wrong categories for your Google Business Profile can result in your business being excluded from relevant searches.

How to Choose the Right Categories:

• Be Specific: Select categories that accurately reflect your business. If you’re a plumbing company, choose “Plumber” rather than a more general category like “Home Services.”
• Avoid Overloading Categories: Don’t select too many categories. Stick to the ones most relevant to your core services.
• Update Categories When Necessary: If your business offerings change, make sure your categories reflect this.

6. Not Keeping Your Online Presence Fresh

Google favors businesses that actively maintain their online presence. If your business profile or website appears stale, your rankings could suffer.

How to Keep Your Profile Active:

• Regularly Post Updates: Use the Google Business Profile updates feature to post about promotions, events, or new products.
• Add New Photos: Upload new photos regularly to keep your profile visually appealing and up-to-date.
• Engage with Your Audience: Respond to questions and reviews to show that your business is active and engaged with its customers.

7. Distance from Searcher

Your business’s proximity to the searcher plays a crucial role in Google Maps rankings. If your business is too far from the searcher’s location, your listing may not appear in their search results.

How to Improve Visibility Despite Distance:

• Monitor Local Rankings: Keep track of how your business ranks in different locations using local SEO tools.
• Create Location-Specific Pages: Develop pages on your website tailored to specific areas you want to target.
• Expand Your Presence: Consider establishing a presence in areas where you want to be found to align better with potential customers.

8. Listing Filtered Out of Results

Google’s local filter might exclude businesses that share the same address and primary category, especially in densely populated areas.

How to Address Listing Filters:

• Check for Filtering: Search for your business using its name and address on Google Maps, then use the “search nearby” feature.
• Analyze Competitors: Examine your competitors and consider strategies like reporting guideline violations, altering your primary category, or enhancing your website’s content and authority.
• Relocate if Necessary: If you’re in a highly competitive area with many similar businesses, relocating might be a drastic but effective solution.

9. Algorithm Updates and Penalties

Google frequently updates its algorithms, which can affect your business’s visibility. Additionally, any violations of Google’s guidelines can result in penalties that impact your ranking. Try and locate your Google Business ID Number in your Settings before contacting support to facilitate the process.

How to Stay Compliant:

• Avoid Keyword Stuffing: Use keywords naturally in your content and avoid overloading your profile or website with them.
• Represent Your Business Accurately: Ensure your business name, address, and other details reflect how your business is known in the real world.
• Follow Google’s Guidelines: Regularly review Google’s guidelines for representing your business and avoid practices that could be seen as manipulative.

10. High Keyword And Key Phrase Competition

If your business operates in a highly competitive market, you may find it challenging to rank for popular keywords.

How to Improve Keyword Strategy:

• Conduct Keyword Research: Use tools like Google Trends or the Google Keyword Planner to find less competitive keywords that still attract significant traffic.
• Use Long-Tail Keywords: These are more specific and less competitive, which can help you rank higher in searches.
• Optimize Your Content: Ensure your website and business profile use these keywords naturally throughout the content.

11. Home-Based Business? Consider Showing Your Address

If you run a home-based or service-area business, displaying your address in your Google Business Profile can improve your local search visibility.

When to Display Your Address:

• Enhance Trust: Displaying an address can help build trust with potential customers, showing that your business is legitimate.
• Improve Local Ranking: Google often prioritizes businesses with verified addresses, even if they are home-based.
• Privacy Concerns: If privacy is an issue, you might want to reconsider, but know that showing an address can significantly impact your visibility.

12. Your Local Market Is Highly Competitive

Sometimes, the issue isn’t with your business but with the level of competition in your area.

How to Stand Out in a Competitive Market:

• Focus on Niche Markets: Identify and target specific niches within your industry where competition might be lower.
• Increase Content Quality: Regularly produce high-quality, relevant content that addresses the specific needs of your target audience.
• Utilize Social Media: Engage with your audience on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to build a strong online presence.
• Monitor Competitors: Keep an eye on what your competitors are doing and look for opportunities to differentiate your business.

Still Need Help?

If you are still struggling to make your business show up on google then consider working with experts. Vortex Ranker offers free consultations. Book a free call with the person who wrote this article by clicking here.

Looking forward to talking soon!