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Common Google Business Profile Issues & How to Fix Them

Common Google Business Profile Issues & How to Fix Them

SCAN YOUR BUSINESS LISTINGGET LISTED FREE

Have you ever had a customer say to you: “I tried finding your business, but Google sent me to the wrong address”? Or maybe, “I can't find you at all”?

Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is like your digital storefront. If it’s not working right, customers get frustrated, confused, or—worst of all—go to a competitor instead.

This guide breaks down the most common GBP problems and how to solve them quickly. No tech degree required! 

TL;DR: Common Google Business Profile Issues & How to Fix Them

  1. Customers won’t find you if your details are incorrect. Keep your address, phone, and hours updated across all platforms.
  2. Google may not verify your profile due to mismatched info, poor-quality verification videos, or duplicates. Ensure accuracy, follow guidelines, and contact support if needed.
  3. Google suspends profiles for incorrect info, fake reviews, or policy violations. Identify the issue, update details, remove bad content, or appeal the decision.
  4. Multiple profiles confuse Google and customers. Search for duplicates, request a merge, or contact support.
  5. Uploads may fail due to file size, format, or internet issues. Check file specs, clear your cache, or switch browsers.
  6. Reviews may not appear due to profile verification issues, Google’s review policies, or technical glitches. Verify your profile and ensure reviews follow guidelines.
  7. A well-managed Google Business Profile boosts visibility and trust. Fix issues quickly—or let Synup handle it for you.

Incorrect or Outdated Business Information

Imagine a new patient searching for your clinic’s GBP to book an appointment—only to see you’re "closed" on Tuesdays when you’re actually open. Or they call, but the number listed is outdated.

When your business details are wrong, customers get confused, and you lose potential sales. Even worse, Google sees inaccurate information as a red flag, which can hurt your local SEO and push your listing down in search results.

How to Fix Incorrect Business Information

Here’s how to fix incorrect business information:

  1. Update Your Google Business Profile

First, log into your Google Business Profile Manager and check if everything is correct:

  • Business Name: Must match your storefront and website exactly. No extra keywords or variations.
  • Address: If you have a physical location, make sure it’s right down to the zip code.
  • Phone Number: Double-check that it’s correct and includes the right country code.
  • Website: Link to your official site, not a social media page.
  • Business Hours: Update for holidays, special events, or seasonal changes.
  1. Check for Inconsistencies Elsewhere

Google doesn’t just look at your GBP listing—it cross-checks it with other sources. If your details are different on Yelp, Facebook, or industry directories, it can lower your search ranking.

Use a listing management tool like Synup to keep everything in sync. It automatically updates your business details across multiple platforms, so you don’t have to track them manually.

  1. Handle Changes Promptly

Google sometimes allows third-party changes to your business details based on user suggestions or automated data. If you notice an update you didn’t make, go to GBP and correct it immediately.

Pro Tip: Set up alerts for your business name so you get notified whenever something changes. That way, you can fix it before it causes problems. Using a Google Business Profile Post Scheduler also keeps posts in sync.

Google Business Profile Suspension

Source: Google Support 

One day, your Google Business Profile (GBP) is running smoothly. The next, like it was with In House Packers, it’s gone, suspended without warning. No calls, no leads, no online presence. It’s like your business just vanished from Google.

A GBP suspension usually happens due to inaccurate info, duplicate listings, or suspicious reviews. If customers can’t find you, they’ll go elsewhere—but don’t panic. Most suspensions can be fixed. Here’s how to reinstate your profile.

  1. Find Out Why You Were Suspended

Log in to your Google Business Profile dashboard and check for notifications. Though it might be vague, Google usually provides a reason (like “policy violation”). If it's unclear, review your profile details for any obvious issues.

  1. Fix Any Incorrect or Suspicious Information

If your suspension is due to incorrect business details, update them. Ensure your business name, address, phone number, categories, and hours are 100% accurate. Your details should match your website, social media, and other listings.

  1. Remove Any Problematic Content

If your suspension is linked to reviews, posts, or photos, clean up anything that violates Google’s guidelines. This includes fake reviews, excessive self-promotion, or anything misleading. If a customer (or competitor) left a questionable review, report it for removal instead of engaging with it.

  1. Submit an Appeal

If you believe your suspension was a mistake (or you’ve corrected all issues), it’s time to appeal:

  • Go to the Google Business Profile ‘Appeals’ tool.
  • Select the suspended business profile you want to reinstate.
  • Explain why you believe the suspension was incorrect and provide supporting evidence—screenshots, documents, or customer testimonials help.
  • Click "Submit Appeal" and wait.

What Happens Next?

Google usually reviews appeals within a few days, but it can take up to two weeks. If your appeal is approved, your profile will be restored. You may need to make further corrections and submit another request if it's denied.

Duplicate Listings

You search for your Google Business Profile (GBP) and find two listings—one correct, the other outdated. Confusing, right? Imagine how your customers feel! Sometimes, a well-meaning employee or previous owner created an extra profile without realizing it. Sometimes, third-party listing services automatically generate duplicate profiles when syncing data across multiple platforms. 

Whatever the reason, duplicate reviews split reviews, mislead customers, and hurt local SEO. Fortunately, you can fix it.

How to Remove or Merge Duplicate Listings

Here’s how to remedy duplicate listings:

  1. Locate the Duplicate Listing

First, confirm that you actually have a duplicate. Open Google Search or Google Maps, type in your business name, and look for multiple listings. Check for slight differences in the name, address, or phone number.

If you see two (or more) profiles that seem to represent your business, you’ll need to merge them. But if one of them belongs to someone else (say, a business with a similar name), you’ll need to report it instead.

  1. Initiate the Merge Process

For duplicate profiles that you own—or can request access to—you must merge them manually. Here’s how:

  • Go to the duplicate listing in Google Maps or Search.
  • Click “Suggest an edit.”
  • Select “Merge with another place.”
  • Choose the correct, verified listing as the primary profile.

Once submitted, Google will review the request. The duplicate will be merged into your main listing if everything checks out.

  1. If the Merge Option Isn’t Available

Sometimes, you won’t see the "Merge with another place" option. This can happen if:

  • One of the listings is already claimed by someone else.
  • The profiles have major discrepancies in business details.
  • Google hasn’t flagged them as actual duplicates yet.

If this happens, follow one of these workarounds:

  • If you can access the extra profile, update its details to match your main business profile, including the correct address, phone number, and website. This may trigger Google to flag it as a duplicate and suggest a merge automatically.
  • If you don’t own the second profile, go to the GBP Help Center and submit a request to remove the duplicate. Include any relevant proof, like a screenshot of your official listing.
  • If someone else owns the listing but it represents your business, click Own this business?” and follow the steps to request access. If the current owner doesn’t respond in 7 days, you can claim it.
  1. Contact Google Support If Needed

If you’ve tried merging or reporting the duplicate and nothing is happening, reach out to Google Business Profile Support. 

If manually tracking down duplicates sounds like a hassle, Synup can help. The platform scans for duplicate listings and helps you manage them across multiple sites so you can focus on running your business instead of fixing Google’s mess. 

Content or Media Upload Problems on Google Business Profile

You’ve got the perfect photo of your storefront. Or maybe a great video showcasing your services. You go to upload it to your Google Business Profile (GBP), and… nothing. The file won’t upload, or worse, it disappears after you’ve added it.

If you're having trouble adding media to your GBP, here’s how to troubleshoot and fix it.

Common Reasons Your Content Won’t Upload

Here are some reasons why your content may not upload correctly:

  1. File Size and Format Issues

Google has strict guidelines for what type of content you can upload. It won't go through if your file doesn’t meet the requirements.

  • Images: Must be JPEG or PNG, at least 720 x 720 pixels, and no larger than 5MB.
  • Videos: Must be MP4, AVI, MOV, or WMV, under 75MB, and no longer than 30 seconds.
  1. Incorrect Image Dimensions

Google prefers square images (minimum 720 x 720 pixels). It might not upload correctly if your image is extremely large (like 4000 x 3000 pixels).

  1. Slow or Unstable Internet Connection

If your Wi-Fi is lagging, uploads can get stuck or fail. Large video files especially need a strong and stable connection.

Fix: Test your internet speed. If it’s slow, try switching to a wired connection, moving closer to the router, or using a different network.

  1. Google Drive Storage Limits

If you’re uploading media from Google Drive, make sure you have enough storage available. The upload may fail if your Drive is full without a clear error message.

Fix: Free up space in Google Drive or upload files directly from your computer instead.

  1. Browser Issues (Outdated or Clogged with Cache)

An outdated browser or one overloaded with cached data can mess with how Google Business Profile functions.

  1. Violating Google’s Content Guidelines

Google has strict rules for what can be uploaded. If your photo or video includes text overlays, excessive filters, watermarks, nudity, violent content, or misleading images, it may be flagged and removed.

Fix: Double-check Google’s photo and video guidelines. If your content violates a rule, tweak it and re-upload.

Troubleshooting Steps to Fix Upload Issues

If your file meets the requirements and still won’t upload, here’s what to do:

Step 1: Check for Error Messages

Google sometimes displays error messages like:

  • “Upload failed”: Could be due to file size, format, or connection issues.
  • “Image rejected”: Likely a violation of Google’s guidelines.
  • “Video processing error”: Your video might need compression or reformatting.

Take note of the message and adjust accordingly.

Step 2: Resize or Compress Your Files

If your image is too large, shrink it using tools like:

  • Canva (Free online editor)
  • TinyPNG (Compresses without losing quality)
  • Adobe Photoshop

If your video is too large, compress it using:

  • Handbrake (Free video compressor)
  • Clideo (Online tool)
  • iMovie (Mac) or Windows Video Editor

Once resized, try re-uploading.

Step 3: Switch Browsers or Devices

Sometimes, the issue is browser-related. If the upload won’t work in Chrome, try Firefox or Edge. If that fails, switch to another device (like a mobile phone).

Step 4: Try a Different Upload Method

There are multiple ways to add media to your Google Business Profile:

  • Upload through the Google Business Profile dashboard
  • Add photos directly in Google Search (search your business name while logged in)
  • Use the Google Maps app to add photos from your phone

Trying a different method can sometimes bypass upload glitches.

Step 5: Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

Stored cache and cookies can interfere with uploads. To clear them in Chrome:

  1. Click the three dots in the top-right corner.
  2. Go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Clear Browsing Data.
  3. Select Cookies and Cached Images and clear them.
  4. Restart your browser and try again.

Step 6: Restart and Update Everything

  • Restart your computer or phone.
  • Update your browser to the latest version.
  • Update your operating system (Windows, macOS, iOS, or Android).

Outdated software can sometimes block uploads.

Step 7: Contact Google Support

If you’ve tried everything and the media still won’t upload, contact Google Business Profile Support using the channels provided earlier. 

Reviews Not Syncing

Imagine—a customer tells you they left a Google review, but it’s nowhere to be found. You check your Google Business Profile (GBP), refresh the page, and… nothing.

Source: Google 

It’s frustrating, but you’re not alone. Many businesses run into issues where reviews don’t appear, disappear after being posted, or take forever to show up. And since consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations, missing reviews can mean fewer customers and less credibility.

A common reason is the reviewer’s account. If they used a brand-new Google account, a fake name, or something that looks like spam, Google might remove the review automatically. Reviews that violate Google’s guidelines—like ones with offensive language, self-promotion, or irrelevant content—also get filtered out.

How to Fix Review Syncing Issues

First, check if your Google Business Profile is verified. Unverified profiles are more likely to have issues with missing reviews. If your profile isn’t verified, complete the process immediately.

Next, make sure the review itself follows Google’s review policies. Ask the customer if they used a real Google account and wrote a genuine review (without promotional content, links, or inappropriate language). If a review disappears immediately after being posted, it was likely flagged by Google’s system.

Still not seeing the review? Ask the customer to edit and repost it. A simple tweak—like changing a word or adding more details—can sometimes push it through.

And if none of this works? Reach out to Google Business Profile support. They can check if the review was mistakenly removed and possibly restore it. 

At the end of the day, Google reviews are too important to ignore. If yours aren’t showing up, don’t panic—just follow these steps to get them back on track. To prevent these issues or manage your profile better, use a Google business profile management tool

Summing Up

A well-managed Google Business Profile (GBP) makes it easier for customers to find and trust you. But issues like missing reviews, duplicate listings, and verification problems can slow things down. The good news is that most of these problems have quick fixes; you just need to know where to look. 

Synup makes these fixes easier and prevents the issues in the first place. From keeping your details accurate to tracking reviews, we make managing your GBP effortless. Book a demo today and see how Synup can help.

Common Google Business Profile Issues & How to Fix Them: FAQs

How do I fix a duplicate listing?

Find your business on Google Search or Maps. If there’s a duplicate, click “Suggest an edit” and select “Merge with another place” or request ownership. If that doesn’t work, contact Google Support.

Why aren’t my reviews showing?

Reviews can disappear due to Google’s spam filters, policy violations, or technical glitches. If a review isn’t showing, ask the customer to edit and repost it. If reviews still won’t sync, check if your GBP is verified and contact Google Support.

Can I have two business profiles?

Yes, but only if they represent different locations or separate businesses. You can’t create two profiles for the same location—it’s against Google’s guidelines.

How long does verification take?

Usually 3 to 7 days, but postcards can take up to two weeks. If it’s taking longer, check for errors in your details or reach out to Google Support.

Why was my profile suspended?

Common reasons include inaccurate business details, duplicate listings, fake reviews, or policy violations. 

How do I fix wrong business info?

Go to Google Business Profile Manager, update your details, and save. If Google keeps changing them, it could be pulling data from user edits or third-party sources—lock your info if needed.

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