If your business isn’t showing up on Google, it can feel like you’re invisible to the world.

With over 90% of internet searches happening on Google, missing out on this platform means fewer customers and lost opportunities.

The good news?

Most issues stopping your business from appearing are easy to fix. Let’s explore why your business might not be showing up and the steps you can take to change that.

What’s Google My Business?

Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is a free tool that helps your business appear on Google Search and Maps.

Reasons Preventing Your Business From Showing up on Google

1) You Haven’t Verified Your Google Business Profile

You could have set up your Google Business Page, but if it’s not verified, then it’s not working for you.

Google requires businesses to verify ownership through its platform. Without verification, your listing won’t appear in search results or on Google Maps.

How to Fix This:

Claim your profile: Visit Google Business Profile to sign up or search for your business online. If you see “Own this business?” under the listing, click it to claim ownership.
Verify your business: Follow Google’s instructions to verify your ownership through methods like a postcard, phone call, or email.

How to Verify your Business Page:

To verify your Google My Business (GMB) page, start by logging in to Google My Business with your Google account or creating one if needed.

Add your business details, including name, category, and address, and indicate whether you serve customers at a physical location or specific service area.

Once your profile is complete, Google will prompt you to verify your listing through one of the following methods:

Postcard: Google sends a postcard to your business address with a verification code, which typically arrives in 5–7 days. Enter the code in your GMB account to complete the process.
Phone: Some businesses can receive a code via SMS or automated call. Follow the on-screen instructions to verify.
Email: Eligible businesses can receive a verification code at the email address linked to the account.
Instant Verification: If your business is verified in Google Search Console, your business will be instantly verified.
Bulk Verification: Businesses with 10+ locations can submit required documents for a single bulk verification process.

Ensure your business details are accurate, including the name and address, to avoid verification issues.

Once verified, optimize your profile with photos, business hours, and updates to boost visibility.

💡 Claiming your profile is the first and most crucial step to improving your business’s online visibility.

2) Your Profile is Incomplete

An incomplete profile can hurt your chances of ranking high on Google.

Search engines prioritize businesses with detailed and accurate information because it helps customers make informed decisions.

Imagine a customer looking for your contact details or opening hours and finding nothing. They’ll likely move on to a competitor.

How to Fix This:

Add essential details: Fill in every field, including your name, address, phone number (NAP), business hours, website, and description.
Upload photos: High-quality images of your storefront, products, or services make your profile more engaging and trustworthy.
Be accurate: Ensure the details on your Google profile match those on your website and social media accounts.

📌 According to BrightLocal, businesses with complete profiles are 70% more likely to attract location-based searches.

3) Your Website isn’t Optimized For SEO

Search engine optimization (SEO) helps Google understand what your website is about. Without proper optimization, your site may fail to rank, making it harder for customers to find you.

For example, if you run a florist shop in Manchester but don’t include relevant keywords like “flower delivery in Manchester,” Google might not connect your site to local searches.

How to Fix This:

Use keywords strategically: Research phrases your customers are likely to search for and include them in your website’s content, meta descriptions, and headings.

Tools like Google Keyword Planner can help.
Make your site mobile-friendly: Over half of internet traffic comes from mobile devices, and Google prioritizes websites that work well on phones and tablets.
Speed matters: Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to check and improve your site’s loading speed.

📈 Investing in SEO pays off in the long term by driving organic traffic to your site.

4) Your Business is New

New businesses often take time to appear on Google because the platform needs to collect enough data to rank them.

Google uses algorithms that rely on credibility signals, such as customer reviews and backlinks, to determine where to place a business in search results.

If your business is just a few weeks or months old, this delay is normal.

How to Fix This:

Be active online: Share updates, add photos, and post news about your business on your Google Business profile and social media.
Encourage reviews: Ask happy customers to leave positive reviews on Google. Reviews play a significant role in building trust and improving rankings.
List your business in directories: Platforms like Yelp, TripAdvisor, and local business directories can help establish credibility.

💡 Fact: 46% of all Google searches are seeking local information. A strong online presence can help you capture this traffic.

5) Your Business Information is Inconsistent

Inconsistent information across the web, such as mismatched phone numbers or addresses, confuses Google and potential customers.

This inconsistency can hurt your rankings because Google relies on accurate NAP details to verify your business.

For example, if your website lists your phone number as 01234 567890 but your social media account has 01284 527891, Google might not trust the information, impacting your visibility.

How to Fix This:

Audit your listings: Check your website, Google profile, social media, and any directories to ensure the same name, address, and phone number (NAP) is used everywhere for the same company, or subsidiary.
Correct errors promptly: If you’ve recently moved or changed your phone number, update all platforms to reflect the new information.

Think of consistency as your digital handshake. It builds trust with both search engines and customers.

6) Your Business Has Few Or No Reviews

Customer reviews not only influence buying decisions but also help your business rank higher on Google.

A lack of reviews or too many negative ones can lower your visibility.

BrightLocal found that 87% of consumers read online reviews for local businesses, and most trust these reviews as much as personal recommendations.

How to Fix This:

Ask for reviews: Politely request feedback from satisfied customers. You can even include a direct link to your review page in follow-up emails.
Respond to all reviews: Thank customers for positive feedback and professionally address negative comments to show you care about their experience.

💬 Reviews are a powerful tool to boost trust and improve your Google rankings.

7) You’re in a Competitive Market

If your industry or location is highly competitive, it can be challenging to stand out.

Businesses in dense markets often need extra effort to appear at the top of search results.

How to Fix This:

Focus on local SEO: Use location-specific keywords, like “hair salon in Leeds,” to target customers in your area.
Engage with the community: Sponsor local events, collaborate with nearby businesses, or run promotions to boost your presence.
Consider Google Ads: Paid advertising can help you appear above competitors in search results.

📈 Fact: Businesses that rank in the top three spots on Google’s local search results receive 44% of clicks.

8) Your Business Has Moved

If you’ve recently changed locations but haven’t updated your address, Google might still show your old one.

This can confuse both search engines and potential customers.

How to Fix This:

Update your address in your Google Business Profile.
Notify online directories and update your information there too.
Add a post on your profile announcing the move to inform your audience.

9) You Haven’t Updated Your Profile Recently

Inactive profiles are often pushed down in search rankings.

Regular activity signals to Google that your business is still operational and relevant.

How to Fix This:

Share updates, such as new products, services, or promotions.
Add fresh photos regularly.
Post events or community involvement to keep your audience engaged.

10) You Have Duplicate Business Listings

Having multiple Google Business Profiles for the same business is often a bad idea, unless you run established subsidiaries.

Duplicate Google Business Profiles can confuse customers, split valuable reviews, and hurt your search rankings.

Effectively identifying and managing these duplicates is key to maintaining a strong online presence.

Reasons for Duplicate Listings

Existing Profiles: If your business already has a verified profile, any new profiles created for the same business will be flagged as duplicates.
Ownership Conflicts: Profiles may appear as duplicates when there are conflicting claims of ownership or if someone else creates a profile for your business.
Spam or Fake Listings: Competitors or bad actors may create spam profiles that mimic your business, causing confusion and harming your reputation.

How to Identify Duplicate Listings

Check Your Account Summary: Log in to your Google Business Profile account and navigate to the “Duplicate Locations” section. Google may flag duplicates here for your review.
Search on Google Maps: Enter your business name in Google Maps to check if multiple listings appear for the same entity.

Steps to Resolve Duplicate Listings

Request Ownership: If a duplicate is owned by someone else, use Google’s “Request Access” feature. Search for your business on Google Maps, click on “Request Access,” and complete the form.
Merge Listings: If you control both profiles, merge them. On the duplicate listing, suggest an edit indicating it’s a duplicate and ensure reviews and information are consolidated into one profile.
Remove Unnecessary Profiles: If duplicates appear in your Google Business Profile account, use the “Duplicate Locations” section to remove the extras.

Reporting Incorrect Duplicates

If two legitimate businesses are mistakenly marked as duplicates (e.g., shared locations or similar names), you can appeal to Google Business Profile Support.

During the application, provide evidence such as signage, websites, or official documents to prove the businesses are distinct.

Why Managing Duplicates Is Important

Ignoring duplicate listings can lead to:

Customer Confusion: Customers may struggle to identify the correct profile, reducing trust in your business.
Diluted Reviews: Reviews may spread across multiple profiles, weakening your overall credibility.
SEO Impact: Duplicate profiles can negatively affect your local SEO rankings, making it harder for customers to find you online.

By identifying, merging, or removing duplicate Google Business Profiles, you can streamline your online presence, maintain customer trust, and improve your business’s visibility in search results.

💡 Keeping just one verified and optimized profile helps you maintain a clear and consistent online identity.

11) Your Profile Violates Google’s Guidelines

Google has strict guidelines for business profiles.

Violating these rules — like using fake reviews, keyword stuffing in your business name, or listing an inaccurate location — can lead to your profile being penalized or even suspended.

For example, naming your business “Best Coffee Shop Manchester Open 24/7” instead of its actual name violates Google’s policies. These tactics might seem like a shortcut, but they can severely damage your visibility.

How to Fix This:

Review Google’s Business Profile guidelines.
Correct any issues, such as misleading names or fake reviews.
If your profile is suspended, appeal to Google after fixing the violations.

📌 Fact: Profiles adhering to Google’s guidelines are more likely to rank higher and stay visible long-term.

12) Your Business Category is Incorrect

Choosing the wrong category for your business can result in irrelevant searches or no visibility at all.

Google uses categories to understand what your business offers, so selecting the most accurate one is crucial.

For example, if you run a vegan restaurant but choose “Health Food Store” as your category, Google might not show your business to people searching for restaurants.

How to Fix This:

Log in to your Google Business Profile.
Choose a primary category that best matches your business (e.g., “Vegan Restaurant”).
Add secondary categories for additional services (e.g., “Takeout Restaurant” or “Catering”).

📌 Fact: Businesses with accurate categories rank higher in relevant local searches.

13) Your Business Lacks Backlinks

Backlinks, or links to your website from other reputable sites, are essential for improving your website’s authority.

Google sees backlinks as a sign that your site is trustworthy and relevant.

If your website has few or no backlinks, it may struggle to rank in search results.

How to Fix This:

Partner with local businesses or organizations to get featured on their websites.
List your business in reputable online directories, like Yelp or TripAdvisor.
Write guest posts for local blogs or industry websites to earn backlinks.

💡 High-quality backlinks act as votes of confidence, boosting your website’s credibility.

14) Your Location Pin on Google Maps Is incorrect

An incorrectly placed pin on Google Maps can mislead customers and reduce your chances of being found.

This is especially problematic for businesses that rely on foot traffic, like retail stores or restaurants.

How to Fix This:

Check your location pin on Google Maps.
If it’s wrong, log in to your Google Business Profile, go to:
- Update Profiel
- Click on Adjust to make the map editable
- Drag the location pin to the correct spot
- Click on Done to save the changes, or Reset to revert back.
Test your updated location by searching for your business on Google Maps.

💬 A precise location pin makes it easier for customers to find you and improves your ranking in local searches.

15) Your Content Isn’t Relevant to Your Audience

If your website or Google Business Profile lacks useful and engaging content, it may fail to attract or retain visitors.

Google prioritizes businesses that provide value to their audience, so irrelevant or outdated content can harm your visibility.

How to Fix This:

Write blog posts or articles addressing your audience’s common questions or pain points.
Use clear, concise, and engaging language to explain your products or services.
Add photos, videos, or FAQs to make your content more interactive and appealing.

📌 Fact: Websites with valuable content are more likely to rank higher and convert visitors into customers.

Final Thoughts

Getting your business to show up on Google is essential in today’s digital-first world. Whether it’s fixing your profile, optimizing your website, or gaining more reviews, every small step contributes to your visibility.

Focus on creating a strong, consistent online presence, and don’t forget to regularly update your details and engage with your audience. Over time, these efforts will pay off, helping you attract more customers and grow your business.

💡 Remember, visibility on Google isn’t just about being found; it’s about being trusted.

Final thoughts

To get your business to show up on Google, start with the basics: claim and verify your profile, complete all your details, and keep your information consistent.

Be sure to combine these steps with SEO practices, customer reviews, and regular updates, and you’ll significantly boost your chances of appearing in search results.

💡 Remember, showing up on Google is a journey, not a one-time task. Keep optimizing, stay consistent, and watch your visibility grow.