Google My Business (GMB), or rather Google Business Profile, is a crucial business tool for businesses wishing to increase online visibility. GMB enables customers to find businesses, view contact information, see reviews, and locate business operating hours. However, numerous entrepreneurs experience challenges with their business failing to show on Google, challenging phone number modifications, cover photo size issues, and confusion related to Google My Business call reporting disappearing.
This article explains in-depth fixes for these ubiquitous issues and helps your business be correctly listed and optimized for Google Search and Google Maps.
What is Google My Business?
Google My Business (GMB), now rebranded Google Business Profile (GBP), is a free application from Google for businesses to control and build their digital presence across Google Search and Google Maps. GMB enhances business local discoverability, visitor traffic, and distribution of useful details like place, contact number, working time, and customers’ reviews.
Why is Google My Business Important?
If you are a local business owner, an active Google Business Profile is needed to bring people into your market. Here’s why:
Boosts Local Visibility: When individuals seek out businesses of your type, your Google Business Profile shows up in local results and Google Maps, allowing probable customers to be able to see you more readily.
Builds Trust and Credibility: A properly optimized profile with good reviews, images, and correct business information assists in establishing credibility and trust among possible customers.
Increases Website Traffic and Sales: By listing your business, you invite more individuals to go to your site, call your company, or drop by your physical location, resulting in greater conversions.
Offers Important Insights: Google My Business provides insights on how customers locate your business, where they’re coming from, and what they do (like visiting your site or calling your business).
Fosters Customer Engagement: Customers are able to leave reviews, pose questions, and engage with your business directly via your profile. Answering questions and reviews generates engagement and customer loyalty.
Why Is My Business Not Showing Up on Google?
One of the most annoying issues that business owners have is their business not showing up on Google. There are various reasons why this can occur, such as verification problems, false information, or policy breaches
Your Business Is Not Verified
Google demands businesses be verified before they are listed in search results. In the absence of verification, your profile will not be visible.
Solution:
- Log in to your Google Business Profile account.
- Go to the verification area under “Account Settings.”
- Select a verification option, like postcard, phone, or email verification.
- Adhere to the guidelines and finalize the verification process.
Your Business Listing Goes Against Google’s Guidelines
Google has stern policies for business listings. If your business is not adhering to their policies, your listing will be suspended or deleted.
Solution:
- Refer to Google’s Business Profile Guidelines to confirm compliance.
- Don’t use irrelevant keywords in your company’s name.
- Make sure that your address, phone, and category are correct.
- If your listing was suspended, request reinstatement.
Your Business Information Is Incomplete
Google favors complete and current profiles. If your business is missing key information, it will rank lower or not appear at all.
Solution:
- Complete all fields in your business profile, such as categories, services, and a business description.
- Upload high-quality photos of your business.
- Make sure your business hours are correct.
Your Business Is New or Recently Updated
New business listings can take a while to show up in search results. Likewise, recent updates can take a few days to show up on Google.
Solution:
- Wait for as long as two weeks after updating or creating your profile.
- Keep adding new updates, posts, and photos to drive engagement.
- Ask customers to leave reviews since this enhances visibility.
- Google My Business Call Reporting Going Away – What’s Next?
- Google has recently announced to drop Google My Business call reporting. This facility enabled businesses to monitor calls being made directly from their GMB profiles.
Why Is Google Discontinuing This Feature?
Google tends to discontinue features with low usage or which are not part of their future plans. The discontinuing of call tracking within Google My Business implies businesses will have to use other methods to monitor calls.
How Do Businesses Track Calls Now?
- Because the call reporting feature is disappearing, try these alternatives:
- Utilize Google Ads call tracking for campaigns.
- Enroll in third-party call tracking software like CallRail, CallTrackingMetrics, or Twilio.
- Get customers to call directly from your website rather than using Google’s call tracking.
- Look into your phone service provider for call logs and insights.
- This impacts businesses that used Google’s native analytics, but other options mean you can continue to track customer interactions just as well.
- Google Business Manager Keeps Rejecting My Phone Number Change
- If you have attempted to change your phone number in Google Business Manager but get rejected repeatedly, don’t worry, you are not alone. Google has robust security to prevent malicious use, and sometimes valid changes get rejected.
Why Google Can Reject Phone Number Updates
- The new phone number doesn’t match other online listings.
- Changes that are too frequent could be seen as suspicious activity.
- Google can’t confirm the legitimacy of the number.
- The number is a VoIP or a temporary number, which Google might reject.
How to Update Your Phone Number Successfully
- Make sure the new phone number is the same throughout your website, social media, and other directories.
- Avoid making frequent changes within a short timeframe.
- If your update is rejected, attempt to contact Google Support for help.
- Use a verified local business number rather than a toll-free or VoIP number.
- Google may need additional verification, so ensure your business email and other contact information are up to date.
- Modifying Temporary Hours in Google My Business
- Temporary business hours come in handy during holidays, special events, or unplanned closures. If your hours are inaccurate, customers will come at the wrong time, resulting in a poor experience.
How to Modify Temporary Hours
- Sign in to Google Business Profile.
- Click on “Edit Profile” > “Hours”.
- Choose “Add special hours” for holidays or temporary closures.
- Update and save the changes.
Why Your Hours May Not Be Updating
- Google processes updates within 24 hours.
- If the update is declined, look for policy violations.
- Make sure your website and social media show the same hours.
- Google My Business Cover Photo Size & Best Practices
- Your cover photo is the first thing customers will see when they discover your business on Google. It should be high-quality and correctly sized to prevent display problems.
Recommended Google My Business Cover Photo Size
- 1024 x 576 pixels
- JPG or PNG format
- Less than 5MB in file size
Common Cover Photo Issues and Fixes
If your photo is not showing, ensure that it complies with Google’s guidelines.
If the image is fuzzy, upload a higher resolution version.
If the incorrect image is showing, Google might have auto-chosen it—upload multiple images to be able to choose what’s displayed.
Having a professional-looking cover photo boosts engagement and makes your business more attractive to potential customers.
How Do I Update My Business Hours on Google?
Having your business hours up to date means customers are always aware of when you’re open.
How to Update Business Hours in Google My Business
- Log in to Google Business Profile.
- Click “Edit Profile” > “Business Information”.
- Click “Hours” and change your operating hours.
- Click Save, and Google will update the changes.
Why Google May Reject Your Business Hours Update
- Too many recent updates could trigger Google’s security filters.
- If the hours are significantly different, Google will ask for more verification.
- The update might not exactly fit your website or social media, so Google will hold up approval.
Conclusion
Keeping your Google Business Profile updated is essential for maintaining visibility and attracting customers. If you experience issues such as not appearing in search results, difficulty updating phone numbers, or problems with cover photos, follow the step-by-step solutions outlined in this guide.
By keeping your profile accurate and optimized, you can enhance your online presence, customer trust, and local SEO rankings. Monitor your business information regularly, reply to customer questions, and update your listing so that it stays active and helpful.
A well-updated Google Business Profile results in greater engagement, improved customer experiences, and business growth.
FAQ’s
Why isn’t my business appearing on Google despite verification?
Your business might not show up because of incomplete data, policy infractions, or recent changes. Make sure all information is correct and in accordance with Google’s policies. Check whether your listing is suspended or pending. It can take a few days for updates to be visible in search results.
How do I monitor calls now that Google My Business call reporting is disappearing?
You can monitor calls with Google Ads call tracking or third-party tracking tools such as CallRail, Twilio, or CallTrackingMetrics. Alternately, monitoring call logs on your phone carrier can also aid in monitoring calling activity. Even calling from the website can contribute to monitoring activity calls.
Why won’t Google update my phone number change in Google Business Manager?
Google can decline changes due to excessive updates, verification problems, or inconsistent details between directories. Make sure your phone number is uniform in all web platforms. Utilize a verified local business phone number rather than a VoIP or temporary number. If the problems continue, reach out to Google Support for help.
How do I modify my temporary business hours on Google My Business?
Sign into Google Business Profile, navigate to “Edit Profile” > “Hours”, and click on “Add special hours” for holidays or temporary business closure. Add new hours and update the changes. Make sure that your website and social media posts the same hours for consistency. Changes will show up in up to 24 hours.
What size is a correct Google My Business cover photo?
Recommended size for a cover photo is 1024 x 576 pixels in JPG or PNG and should be less than 5MB. The image should be high quality and portray your business effectively. If your selected photo doesn’t appear, attempt uploading more than one picture. Consult Google’s guidelines to check for requirements of photo quality.