By GMB Fox Team
Google Business Profile (GBP) suspensions should be reserved for major issues, right? You’d think so. But for a few wild weeks in October, it felt like even breathing near your GBP could get you suspended. And now, even though Google claims to have fixed the bug, the reinstatement chaos continues—leaving businesses and marketers frustrated and waiting.
What Happened: A Bug Sent GBP Suspensions Skyrocketing
Imagine this: you’re just updating your business hours or tweaking your description, and BAM—suspended. That’s exactly what happened to countless businesses. According to Ben Fisher, a Google Diamond Product Expert, simple actions like hitting the verify button or editing your address could trigger an instant suspension.
“Normally, when editing GBP, you either wait for a review, get it accepted, or trigger re-verification. But a few weeks ago, the number of false positives grew exponentially,” Fisher explained. This led to a Twitter storm of local SEO experts sharing their horror stories.
The Local SEO Community’s Experience
Take Harmony Huskinson, a Local SEO Specialist at Portent. She was on a screenshare with a client, making a simple category update, when their listing got suspended—an agency nightmare. “We’ve been waiting three and a half weeks for reinstatement, and we’re only halfway through the backlog. They’ve lost a lot of business because of this,” she shared.
Ashley Romer of PaperStreet had a similar experience with a law firm client. “One of their locations was suspended immediately after adding it. We’re now four weeks in without a resolution. For smaller law firms, Google listings are a lifeline—waiting weeks to get back online is a massive strain.”
Bug Fixed, but Reinstatement Times Still Lagging
On October 21, Google finally confirmed that the bug causing these suspensions had been resolved. But here’s the kicker: reinstatement times are still dragging on, with some cases taking up to 30 business days.
Tim Capper, a Google Platinum Product Expert, shed light on the reinstatement process: “The current response time is around 25-30 business days. The bug kicked in when you replied to a reinstatement request, putting cases in a reinstatement loop.”
What Can You Do to Avoid Reinstatement Issues?
So, what can you do if you’re stuck in this nightmare? The experts agree: double, even triple-check your GBP and the reason for suspension. Build a solid case for reinstatement and provide Google with thorough documentation proving your business’s legitimacy.
Amy Toman, a Local SEO at Digital Law Marketing, emphasizes preparation: “Because responses are slow, prepare your case thoroughly before submitting. Make sure your listing complies with Google’s guidelines and that your supporting documents are consistent and correct.”
Joy Hawkins, owner of Sterling Sky, offers advice on preventing future suspensions: “Don’t make too many changes at once, especially in spammy industries. Spread out your edits over time—don’t risk triggering a suspension by doing everything at once.”
In Summary
The GBP suspension saga has been a rough ride for local businesses and marketers. Here’s what you need to remember:
Hold Off on Non-Critical Updates: Before the suspension fix, experts advised against making any changes unless absolutely necessary.
Be Cautious with Edits: Suspensions were happening for all sorts of reasons—sometimes just for clicking ‘verify’ or making basic edits.
Prepare for Long Waits: Reinstatements are still taking at least 22 days, often longer. Be prepared for a slow process.
Build a Strong Case: When submitting a reinstatement request, make sure your listing follows Google’s guidelines to the letter.
The suspension bug might be fixed, but the fallout is still real. Staying within Google’s guidelines is more crucial than ever, especially given the ongoing delays in reinstatement.
In a digital world where visibility is everything, GMB Fox ensures your business isn’t just online—it’s the first choice customers make. Let us handle the complexities of digital marketing, so you can focus on what truly matters: growing your business.
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