Most often, your Business Profile isn’t verified, it’s in the wrong category, or its name, address and phone don’t match your website. Google also favors places that are close to the person searching and well known, so distance and reviews play a part. A suspended profile won’t show at all until you fix it.
What is a Google Business Profile?
It’s the free listing that puts your business on Google Search and Maps. It holds your name, address or service area, hours, phone, website, photos and reviews. Google says that when you add and verify a profile, customers can find your business on Search and Maps (Google, 2026). Adding or claiming one costs nothing.
You can have one if customers visit your premises, or if you travel to your customers (Google, 2026).
How do I get my business on Google Maps?
- Search Google Maps for your business name and town. If it’s there but unclaimed, select “Claim this business” (Google, 2026).
- If it isn’t there, add it at business.google.com/add.
- Verify it. Google says only verified businesses can show their info on Maps and Search (Google, 2026).
- Fill in every field, from your hours to your category.
Then give it time. Google says rankings for new businesses can take up to a month to appear in search results (Google, 2026). If your Google Business Profile isn’t showing up after verification, that wait may be the reason.
Why isn’t my profile verified yet?
Google picks how you verify. It might be by phone, text, email, video or postcard, and you can’t change the method (Google, 2026).
If you got a postcard, Google says most codes arrive within 14 days and expire after 30 days. While you wait, don’t edit your name, address or category, or the code won’t work. Don’t ask for a new code either, because that cancels the one in the mail (Google, 2026).
Once you finish the steps, Google’s review takes up to 5 business days (Google, 2026). If the “Get verified” button shows up again, Google couldn’t fully verify you, so try again.
Could the wrong category be the problem?
Yes. Google says the categories you pick affect your local ranking (Google, 2026). Choose the most specific primary category you can find. Google’s own example is “Nail salon” instead of “Salon.” If you change a category later, Google may ask you to verify again.
Use as few categories as you need, and don’t use them as keywords (Google, 2026).
Do my name, address and phone need to match my website?
Yes. Google says your business name should be the real-world name you use on your storefront, website and stationery (Google, 2026). Don’t add a city or a keyword to it. Google says extra words in your business name could get your profile suspended.
Your website matters here too. Google builds profiles from several sources, including your own website (Google, 2026).
When Google asks you to review a suggested edit, you have 4 days to accept or reject it. If you don’t, Google may publish it when other public info, such as your website, backs it up (Google, 2026). So an old phone number on your site can end up on your profile.
A few address rules catch people out (Google, 2026):
- A virtual office isn’t eligible for a profile.
- P.O. boxes aren’t accepted.
- If you serve customers at their place, like a plumber or a cleaner, hide your address and set a service area.
When Evensteer runs a client’s website and social profiles, we keep the business name, address, phone and hours the same on each one.
Why do other businesses show up before mine?
Google explains local ranking with three factors: relevance, distance and prominence (Google, 2026). It also says there’s no way to request or pay for a better local ranking.
- Relevance is how well your profile matches the search. Complete, detailed info helps.
- Distance is how far you are from the person searching. You can’t change that one.
- Prominence is how well known you are. Google says it includes how many websites link to you and how many reviews you have.
So anyone who promises you the top spot on Maps is guessing. For search beyond Maps, read whether SEO is worth it for a small business.
Do reviews and photos help?
Reviews do. Google says more reviews and positive ratings can help your local ranking, and replying shows you value feedback (Google, 2026).
To get more Google reviews from customers, ask every one of them and send a review link or QR code. Never offer a discount or a freebie in return. Google calls that fake content and strictly prohibits it (Google, 2026). Its rules also ban asking only your happy customers (Google, 2026). Reply to bad reviews too, briefly and politely.
Photos help people spot you. Google says an outside photo helps customers recognize your business when they visit. Your photos only show once your profile is verified (Google, 2026).
Why did my business disappear from Google Maps?
Think about what changed lately. Google says edits can take up to 3 days to show (Google, 2026). If Google asks you to verify again, it’s likely because some of your details were recently updated (Google, 2026).
Check that your business has only one profile. Google says there should be one profile per business, because more can cause problems with how your info shows on Maps and Search (Google, 2026). If none of that fits, check whether the profile has been suspended.
What if my profile is suspended?
Google may suspend profiles that break its guidelines. A suspended profile won’t show to other users until you fix the problem (Google, 2026). You’ll get a notice in the Google Account you use for the profile.
Read the guidelines, fix what’s wrong, then appeal through Google’s appeals tool (Google, 2026). Proof helps, such as a business registration, a license or a utility bill. Check that the name and address on it match your profile. Don’t create a new profile for the same business while you wait.
The short version
- Verify your profile. Unverified profiles don’t show on Maps.
- Pick the most specific category you can.
- Use the same name, address and phone as your website.
- You can’t change your distance from a searcher. You can ask for reviews, add photos and complete your info.
- If you’re suspended, fix the cause, then appeal. Don’t start a new profile.
Questions about getting found on Google? Ask us.