It happens to the best of us. You search for industry-related terms, the different services you provide, or even more so – your business name – and your business is not showing up on google’s results! Bummer, isn’t it? If your Google My Business card is not appearing on Google, whether in Google Search or on Google Maps, several factors might be causing this issue. Let’s delve into five common reasons:

1. Incomplete Google My Business Verification: One of the most common reasons a business doesn’t appear on Google is that the Google My Business (GMB) listing hasn’t been verified. Google requires most businesses to complete a verification process (usually by mailing a postcard with a verification code) to confirm the authenticity and accuracy of the business’s location and ownership.
2. Newly Created or Recently Updated Listing: These take time to ramp up. If the business listing is new or was recently updated, it might not show up immediately. Google often takes a few days to process new listings or updates to ensure the information is accurate and complies with their guidelines.
3. Violation of Google My Business Guidelines: Watch out for this one. If your business listing doesn’t comply with Google’s guidelines, it may not be shown. Common violations include having an inaccurate business address, using a PO Box, adding unnecessary keywords to the business name field, or engaging in other spammy practices.
4. Lack of NAP Consistency (Name, Address, Phone Number): Google values the consistency of your business’s NAP information across the web. If there are discrepancies between the information on your GMB listing and the information on your website or other directories, Google might not display your business prominently due to the perceived unreliability of the data.
5. Poor Optimization and Lack of Local SEO: A business might not show up prominently on Google if its GMB profile is poorly optimized. This includes a lack of relevant keywords, an inadequate description, no operating hours, and a lack of regular updates like posts, photos, or customer reviews. Additionally, the website’s local SEO affects visibility; factors such as mobile-friendliness, loading speed, quality of content, backlinks, and local keywords play significant roles.

Additional Tips to Improve Visibility on Google:

• Regularly update your Google My Business profile with new photos, offers, posts, and respond to reviews to keep it active. I can’t stress enough how beneficial fresh reviews are to your exposure. Don’t hesitate to ask for them; your satisfied clients will likely be happy to spread the word.
• Ensure your website is optimized for search engines, especially for local SEO.
• Build citations for your business consistently across reputable online directories.

Addressing these issues can significantly increase the likelihood of your business appearing on Google Search and Maps, improving your online visibility and potentially attracting more customers. Google My Business is an invaluable tool for enhancing your business exposure. This visibility drives more foot traffic, improves customer interaction, and boosts your local search rankings. Regularly updating your profile with accurate information, engaging photos, and prompt responses to reviews can cultivate a reliable and professional image, encouraging more potential customers to choose your services over competitors. Essentially, Google My Business acts as a critical bridge between you and your customers, directly influencing how your business is perceived online. By effectively leveraging this platform, you can significantly increase your visibility on Google’s services, such as Search and Maps.

What to avoid when setting up you google my business card

Google dislikes misleading information, spammy tactics to get unjustified exposure. Adding misleading keywords to your name, and neglecting to verify your listing can get you off the search results. Take my word, keep information simple, accurate and current. Don’t ignore customer reviews or fail to update photos and operating hours regularly. To get the verification process smooth and fast, avoid using a PO box as your address.