How to Get Your Law Firm’s Google Business Profile Unsuspended

Having your law firm’s Google Business Profile suspended can be frustrating – your firm might not show up on Google Search or Maps, and new clients could have trouble finding you. The good news is these suspensions are usually fixable without any special services. This guide will walk you through a clear, step-by-step process to get your Google Business Profile unsuspended. We’ll cover why suspensions happen (especially for law firms), how to appeal the suspension, and how to avoid issues in the future. Let’s get your firm’s listing back up and running!

Common Reasons Law Firm Profiles Get Suspended

• Violations of Google’s Name/Info Guidelines: Using a business name that doesn’t match your real-world name – for example, adding extra keywords or city names like “Smith Law Firm – Best Injury Lawyers in Dallas” when that’s not your official name. This kind of keyword stuffing is a common suspension trigger.
• Problematic Address Listings: Listing an address that isn’t a physical, staffed office for your firm. Law firms using a P.O. Box, UPS store, virtual office, or coworking space address (without full-time staff present) often get suspended. Google requires a real-world office where clients can actually visit you.
• Duplicate or Multiple Listings: Having more than one Google Business Profile for the same law firm or location. For instance, if each attorney at the firm created their own listing at the same address, Google might flag it as duplicate/spam. It’s important to follow Google’s rules if you have multiple practitioners (usually one listing for the firm, and maybe individual practitioner listings only if they meet clients separately).
• Service-Area Business Missteps: If your law practice is a service-area business (meaning you travel to clients and don’t serve them at your office), you should not display a public address. Showing a physical address for a practice that mainly operates remotely or from home can violate guidelines.
• Miscellaneous Guideline Violations: Other issues like choosing an inappropriate business category, having a URL or phone number that misleads users, or any content Google views as spammy or false. Law firms should also avoid terms like “Google” or other restricted content in their profile. Essentially, anything that conflicts with Google’s guidelines for representing your business can lead to a suspension.

How to Check Your Suspension Status

• Look for the Suspension Notice: Sign in to your Google Business Profile dashboard (now often managed directly on Google Search or the Google Maps app). Suspended profiles will typically show a red label or banner that says “Suspended” or “Suspended due to quality issues.” This notice means Google has removed your listing from search results pending a fix.
• Check Your Email: Google usually sends an email to the owner account when a profile is suspended, with a subject like “Your Google Business Profile has been suspended.” The email might give a general reason (for example, “due to quality issues” or citing a specific policy). Read this email carefully to understand what Google flagged.
• Soft vs. Hard Suspension: Determine the type of suspension, if possible. A “soft suspension” means your profile is unverified or disabled in your account but might still show up on Google (often resolved simply by re-verifying ownership). A “hard suspension” means the listing was removed from Google entirely – in this case, your only option is to submit an appeal/reinstatement request because the profile won’t be visible to the public at all. In either case, you’ll use Google’s appeal process, but knowing the severity helps set expectations.
• Review for Guideline Breaches: Before you begin an appeal, do a self-audit. Compare your Google Business Profile info (name, address, phone, website, category) against Google’s official guidelines. Spot anything that might be off – e.g. an old address, a nickname in the business name, or wrong category. This will clue you in on what to fix before appealing.

Documentation You’ll Need to Appeal

Gathering a few key documents before submitting your appeal will greatly improve your chances of a successful reinstatement. Google often asks for evidence to prove your law firm is legitimate and located where you say it is. Typical documentation includes:

• Business License or Registration: An official business license, registration certificate, or legal document that shows your law firm’s name and address. This proves the firm is a real entity authorized to operate.
• Utility Bill or Lease Agreement: A recent utility bill (electricity, water, internet, etc.) or a rental/lease agreement for your office. It should clearly show the business name and the office address. This helps confirm that your firm is actually operating at that location.
• Tax Document or Bank Statement: Any official mail from a government agency (like a tax notice) or a bank statement addressed to your law firm at the office address can serve as proof of occupancy and business activity.
• Professional License or Certification: Since this is a law firm, you might include a copy of a relevant professional document (for example, a state bar membership certificate or bar card) if it shows your name and business details. While not always required, it reinforces that you are a legitimate legal practice.
• Photographic Evidence: Though not a traditional “document,” be prepared with photos of your office exterior and interior. Take a photo of your office door or building directory listing with your law firm’s name, and a photo of signage (like your lobby sign or window decal). Google might ask for these in the appeal or in a follow-up (sometimes they even request a video—more on that below). Having pictures ready of your law firm’s physical presence can be very helpful.

Step-by-Step: Submitting a Google Business Profile Suspension Appeal

If you’ve fixed any obvious issues and gathered your documents, it’s time to fill out Google’s reinstatement (appeal) form. Follow these steps to submit your appeal:

1. Log in to Google Business Profile: Use the Google account that manages your law firm’s Business Profile. It’s important to be logged into the right account so that Google knows which business is yours.
2. Access the Reinstatement Request Form: Navigate to the official Google Business Profile Appeal (Reinstatement) form. You can find this via the Google Business Profile Help Center or the link provided in your suspension notice email. The form will prompt you to select the business profile that was suspended.
3. Fill in Required Details: The form will ask for information like your business name, address, website, etc. (some fields may auto-fill if you selected your business). There will be a section to explain your situation – keep your tone professional and factual. Briefly state that you believe your profile complies with guidelines now and you’re requesting reinstatement. If you identified a mistake (like you removed a prohibited term from your name or updated your address), mention that you’ve corrected it.
4. Upload Supporting Documents: This is critical. The form allows you to attach files – here’s where you upload the PDFs or images of the documents you gathered (business license, utility bill, etc.). Ensure that each document clearly shows your law firm’s name and address as listed on your profile. You can usually upload multiple files; follow the instructions on the form. (Tip: do this step promptly, because the form session can timeout after about 30-60 minutes. It’s a good idea to have all your files ready to go before starting the form.)
5. Submit the Appeal: Double-check that all info is accurate and your documents are attached, then hit “Submit.” You should see a confirmation message that your appeal was received. Google will also email you a confirmation. Take note of any case ID or reference number given – this will help if you need to follow up.
6. Await Confirmation: After submission, avoid the urge to submit multiple appeals or tinker with the profile. Google’s team now has what they need. You’ve done everything right up to this point, so it’s time to be patient and let Google review your case.

Tips for a Smooth Video Verification (If Requested)

Sometimes Google will require additional verification after you submit your appeal – often this can be a video verification. This means you might need to either join a live video call with a support agent or upload a recorded video showing your business location. It’s becoming more common as a fraud prevention step. Here’s how to ace the video verification for your law firm:

• Prepare Your Office Environment: Treat a video verification like an on-site inspection. Make sure your office signage is visible (e.g., your law firm’s name on the door or lobby wall). Tidy up the reception area and any conference rooms – you want to project the image of a real, professional law office.
• Start Outside: If doing a recorded video, begin filming outside your office to establish the location. Show the building exterior, the street and building number, and any outdoor sign with your firm’s name. For example, capture the front door with your suite number or the marquee listing businesses in the building. This helps Google match your location to Google Maps and Street View.
• Show Interior and Proof of Business: Walk inside and give a quick tour of the office. Show things that only a real law firm would have. For instance, film your reception area with your firm’s logo on the wall, the office directory that includes your firm’s name and suite, and maybe a glimpse of a meeting room or office space with legal books or a diploma on the wall. The goal is to demonstrate that this is a functioning workplace, not an empty room or fake address.
• Identify Your Business Name Clearly: During the video, make sure your law firm’s name is clearly visible at least once or twice (on a sign, on a certificate, etc.). If a Google rep is on a live call, they may ask you to point the camera at business documents or your computer screen showing your management of the business profile.
• Keep the Video Steady and Fulfilling Requirements: Whether live or recorded, speak clearly and explain what you’re showing (“Here’s our law firm sign on the door, here’s the lobby with our logo,” etc.). Keep the video around the length Google requests (often just 1-2 minutes for an upload). Avoid shaky camera movements – have someone help film if needed so you can focus on pointing out the important details.
• Follow Any Instructions Given: Google might send specific guidelines for the video. Follow them closely. If it’s a live verification call, follow the representative’s requests (they might ask you to show your ID, or pan to the street to verify the location). If it’s an upload, ensure you cover all points mentioned in their email (for example, showing street signage, interior, proof of business operations).

Being thorough in a video verification can significantly speed up your reinstatement. It essentially proves to Google that your law firm exists exactly where and how your profile says it does.

After Submitting Your Appeal: What to Expect

Once you’ve submitted the appeal (and completed any verification steps like video, if required), the ball is in Google’s court. Here’s what happens next and some tips on handling the wait:

• Review Timeline: In many cases, Google will review and process your appeal within 3-5 business days. Simple cases can be resolved faster, while more complex issues (or high volume of appeals in Google’s queue) might take up to a couple of weeks. Try not to repeatedly check every hour – give it a few days, though it’s fine to monitor your email closely during this period.
• Status Updates via Email: Google will usually communicate the outcome by email. You might see an email that says your Google Business Profile is reinstated (hooray!) or one that says something like “Not approved” or “We were unable to reinstate your business at this time.” Also, if you check the appeal form link after a few days, it might show an updated status for your case. Keep an eye on spam/junk folders too, just in case the response email lands there.
• Potential Follow-Up Requests: Sometimes, instead of an outright approval or denial, Google might email asking for more information. They might seek additional documents or clarifications. Respond promptly if they do – for example, they could ask for a clearer copy of a document or additional proof of your address. Treat it as a second chance to provide what’s needed.
• If Your Appeal is Approved: You’ll get confirmation that your profile has been reinstated. Your law firm’s listing should reappear in Google search results within a short time (it can be nearly instant or take a day or two to fully propagate). Log back into your Google Business Profile dashboard – the suspension notice should be gone. Take a moment to ensure all your business info is correct and up-to-date. You’re back in business!
• If Your Appeal is Denied: Don’t panic – not all is lost. Google may allow you to submit one additional appeal (an “additional review”) especially if you have new evidence to support your appeal. First, carefully read the denial message. It might give a reason or indicate what’s still wrong. Maybe a document was insufficient or they still have doubts about your location. Fix any remaining issues if you can. Then, gather any new or stronger evidence. For example, if you didn’t include a photo of your office signage before, include it now. When you fill out the additional appeal, be very detailed and attach the new evidence. This is essentially a second chance to prove your case to Google.
• Escalation Paths: If after a second try you’re still suspended, you might need to seek help from the Google Business Profile Community Forum (where product experts can give advice or sometimes escalate issues) or reach out to Google Business Profile support on social media (like Twitter/Facebook support channels). Hopefully it doesn’t come to this, but the community forum can be useful if you’re stuck – often, volunteer experts there have experience with law firm listings and can spot things you might have missed.
• Common Hangups and Issues: Many unsuccessful appeals are due to missing or blurry documentation, or not fully addressing Google’s concerns. Ensure your documents are clear and that you’ve rectified all guideline violations. For example, if you removed a keyword from your business name but still have a virtual office address listed, the appeal will likely fail. Double-check everything. Another hangup can be impatience – submitting multiple appeals or making profile changes while an appeal is in progress can confuse matters. It’s best to sit tight until you get a definitive response.

Best Practices to Avoid Future Suspensions

After you go through the hassle of reinstatement, you’ll want to make sure your Google Business Profile stays in good standing. Here are some best practices, especially relevant for law firms, to prevent getting suspended again:

• Use Your Real Business Name: Always use your law firm’s official name on the profile – exactly as it appears on your signage or legal documents. Do not add extra keywords, taglines, or city names to the business name field. For example, if your firm is “Smith & Doe LLP,” list it exactly like that, not “Smith & Doe LLP – Best Divorce Attorneys in Oregon.” Keeping the name authentic avoids the appearance of spam.
• List a Legit Physical Address (No Virtual Offices): Only input an address where your firm truly operates and can receive clients or mail. Using P.O. boxes, mailbox rentals, coworking spaces without a dedicated office, or fake addresses will almost certainly lead to suspension. If you work from home or are purely virtual, use the service-area business option (hide your address and list service regions) according to Google’s rules.
• One Profile per Location: Generally, maintain a single Google Business Profile for your law firm per physical location. If multiple attorneys in the firm want their own listings (which is allowed in Google’s guidelines for professionals), ensure each listing has distinct info to avoid looking like duplicates – for example, “Jane Smith, Esq. – Smith & Doe LLP” with her direct phone number, versus the main firm listing with the main number. Duplicate listings or overlapping info can trigger suspensions, so manage these carefully.
• Keep Information Consistent: Consistency is key in local SEO. Make sure your law firm’s name, address, and phone number are consistent across your website, the state bar directory, and other online listings. Discrepancies (like one address on your website and another on Google) can sometimes cause Google’s system to flag your profile. Plus, consistency builds trust with Google’s algorithm.
• Avoid Frequent, Major Edits: Don’t constantly change your business name, address, or category on Google. Significant edits may require reverification and could trigger a suspension if done improperly. Of course, update info when it’s genuinely needed (e.g., you moved offices or added a new branch), but try to do it carefully and one change at a time. After an update, be prepared that Google might need you to verify again by mail or other methods.
• Follow Google’s Guidelines and Policies: It sounds obvious, but many suspensions happen simply because the business owner wasn’t aware of a rule. Google’s guidelines cover things like not having misleading content, properly using the Lawyer or Law Firm category, etc. Every so often, review the guidelines to ensure your profile content (photos, posts, even review responses) all align with the rules. For example, avoid asking clients for reviews in a way that violates policy, and don’t post content on your profile that’s overly promotional or inappropriate.
• Stay Engaged (Legitimately): Having an active, well-maintained profile can actually help your standing. Encourage happy clients to leave honest reviews (but don’t buy or filter reviews). Respond to reviews professionally. Post updates about your firm occasionally. A profile that’s obviously cared for and represents a real business is less likely to get flagged by Google’s algorithms.
• Monitor for Changes: Google sometimes updates categories or makes changes that could affect your listing. Also, very rarely, malicious actors might suggest edits to your listing. Keep an eye on your profile for any unexpected changes (like if you suddenly see a weird phone number or a different name, correct it). Use the Google Business Profile dashboard or app to routinely check that everything is as it should be.

By following these best practices, your law firm’s Google Business Profile should remain healthy and visible, so you can focus on serving your clients without interruptions.

Getting your Google Business Profile unsuspended can take a bit of effort and patience, but it’s definitely doable with the right approach. For a law firm, maintaining an online presence is crucial – you want clients to find you easily. By understanding why suspensions happen and carefully following the appeal steps, you can get your listing back up. Remember to keep your business information honest and consistent to avoid future issues. Hopefully, this guide helps you navigate the process and you won’t have to deal with a suspension again. Good luck, and here’s to seeing your law firm shining on Google once more!