WHY IS MY BUSINESS NOT SHOWING UP ON GOOGLE?

It can be frustrating to set up your business on Google only to find that it is not appearing in search results or on Google Maps. Visibility on Google is essential for attracting local customers, increasing footfall and building online authority. When your business fails to show up, it can affect trust, sales and brand awareness. Understanding the reasons behind this issue is the first step towards fixing it and ensuring that your business is discoverable.

Google uses a combination of algorithms, data signals and verification steps to determine which businesses appear in local results. If your business is missing, it may be due to incomplete information, a pending verification, policy violations or simply not meeting local ranking criteria yet. Thankfully, these issues can usually be resolved with the right adjustments and a clear understanding of how Google Business Profiles work.

Your Listing Might Not Be Verified

One of the most common reasons a business does not show up on Google is that it has not been verified. Verification confirms that you are the legitimate owner of the business and gives you the ability to manage the profile. Until this step is completed, your listing will not be publicly visible.

Verification usually involves receiving a postcard from Google at your business address with a code. Once you enter the code in your Google Business dashboard, the listing becomes active. In some cases, you may be offered verification by phone or email. If you have requested a code but have not received it, check that the address you entered is correct and formatted according to postal standards. If too much time has passed, you may need to request a new code.

Information May Be Incomplete or Inaccurate

Even if your listing is verified, it will only appear in search if it contains the right information. Missing or inconsistent details can prevent your business from ranking well or appearing at all. Your profile should include a valid business name, full address, phone number, business category, website link and accurate opening hours. If this information is vague or contradicts details found elsewhere online, Google may choose not to show the listing.

It is also important to ensure your business name does not contain extra keywords or promotional text, as this violates Google’s guidelines and can result in the listing being suspended or filtered out. Matching your business name and contact details with those on your website and other directories helps strengthen your profile’s trustworthiness.

Your Business Category Could Be Incorrect

Choosing the right category is essential for local visibility. Google uses your business category to match your listing with relevant search queries. If you select a category that does not accurately reflect your services, or if it is too broad, your business may not appear for the searches you are targeting.

Take time to review which categories are available and choose the one that most closely describes your primary service. You can also add secondary categories to reflect additional offerings. For example, if you run a café that also sells baked goods, listing both categories increases the chances of appearing in related search results.

You Might Be Outside the Local Ranking Radius

Local search results are influenced heavily by the user’s location. If your business is not showing up, it might be because the person searching is not physically close to your location. Google prioritises proximity when delivering results, especially on mobile devices. This means your listing may be visible to users nearby but not to those further away.

This issue is especially relevant for service area businesses that do not have a storefront. If your defined service area is too small or not clearly stated in your profile, it may limit how often your listing appears. Adjusting your service area settings and ensuring your website includes location-based keywords can help extend your visibility.

Your Listing May Be Suspended

If your business listing does not appear at all, and you have received a notification from Google, it may have been suspended. Suspensions usually occur when a listing violates one or more of Google’s guidelines. This could include using false information, operating from a virtual address, keyword stuffing in the business name or duplicate listings.

In the event of a suspension, log in to your Google Business Profile account to review any alerts or messages. You will usually be told what the issue is and given instructions for resolving it. Once corrected, you can request reinstatement through Google’s appeal process. During this time, your listing will not appear in search or Maps.

It Could Be a Case of Low Authority or New Listing Delay

New business listings do not always appear immediately. Even after verification, it can take several days for your profile to be indexed and start appearing in search results. If your listing is new, try waiting for a short period and continue updating the profile with quality information, images and posts.

Another possibility is that your business does not yet have enough trust signals to rank for competitive searches. These signals include website authority, positive reviews, backlinks and user engagement. Over time, as your online presence grows and users interact with your listing, your visibility should improve. Linking your listing to an optimised website and gaining mentions from trusted directories can help speed up this process.

Duplicate Listings Could Be Causing Confusion

Sometimes, businesses create more than one listing by accident. Duplicate entries can confuse Google’s algorithm and reduce the visibility of the correct profile. You can check for duplicate listings by searching your business name and address directly in Google. If you find multiple entries, claim ownership of all and either merge them or remove the outdated ones.

Having multiple unverified listings or listings with conflicting information can trigger suppression. Maintaining a single, consistent and well managed profile is always better than attempting to manage several at once.

Final Thoughts on Improving Your Visibility

If your business is not showing up on Google, there is usually a clear explanation and a path to resolution. It may take a little patience and attention to detail, but ensuring your Google Business Profile is complete, verified and aligned with Google's best practices will help you stand out in local search results.

Make sure your information is consistent across the web, choose the right category, respond to reviews and regularly update your profile with fresh content. If needed, consult Google’s guidelines or contact support to clarify any issues. A visible, active and accurate listing will not only improve your digital footprint but also help your business grow in the long term.