What Should I Do Before Appealing for Google My Business?

Short Answer: Before submitting an appeal for Google My Business, it is important to remove your street address from your website and any other online platforms where it might be listed.

Full Explanation

When preparing to appeal for Google My Business, one key step involves ensuring that your street address is not publicly displayed on your website or any other online directories, listings, or platforms you control. This preemptive action helps align your online information with Google’s guidelines and can influence the outcome of your appeal positively.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

Identify all instances of your street address: Review your website, social media profiles, and any other places online where your business address may be visible.
Remove or hide the street address: Edit your website pages and online profiles to either remove or hide the street address from public view. This might require adjusting contact pages, footer sections, or profile information.
Double-check online listings: Verify that online directories or platforms beyond your direct control do not display your street address, and seek removal if possible before proceeding with the appeal.
Proceed with the appeal: Once the street address has been removed from your online presence, you can then submit your appeal to Google My Business with greater confidence.

Real Examples

For instance, a business owner who had their Google My Business listing suspended decided to successfully appeal after first removing their street address from their website’s contact page and social media profiles. This alignment with Google’s expectations contributed to the reinstatement of their listing.

Common Mistakes

Failing to remove the address entirely: Simply hiding the address in code without removing it from visible sections can still cause issues.
Not checking all online platforms: Leaving the street address on third-party directories can undermine the appeal process.
Appealing prematurely: Submitting an appeal before ensuring the address is removed may lead to repeated denials.

FAQs

Why should I remove my street address before appealing?: Google’s policies may conflict with the presence of a street address if your business is set up differently in your profile. Removing it helps ensure your appeal complies with their guidelines.
Do I need to remove the address from everywhere?: Yes, you should remove the street address from your website and any other online platforms where it could appear, to avoid conflicts during the appeal process.
Can I add the address back after the appeal?: Once your appeal is accepted, you can consider updating your listing as appropriate, potentially adding your address back if it meets Google’s criteria.

Key Takeaways

Removing your street address from your website and online platforms is a crucial preparatory step before appealing for Google My Business.
This action helps align your business information with Google’s requirements and can influence appeal success.
Thoroughly review and adjust all online mentions of your address to avoid common pitfalls.
Prepare carefully to maximize the chances of a successful Google My Business appeal.