Hello, digital marketers and business owners. Today, we are going to explore the perilous road of managing multiple Google Business Profile accounts. This post aims to inform you about potential pitfalls and the best course of action to maintain the health of your online business presence.
A Closer Look at Google Business Profiles
Previously known as Google My Business or GMB, the Google Business Profile is a free tool from Google that allows businesses to manage their online presence across the platform. This tool recently underwent a rebranding, but its purpose remains the same: to help businesses connect with customers through Google Search and Maps.
Working with numerous service businesses, we’ve noticed that many attempt to create additional accounts to rank their businesses in various cities. The idea is to broaden their market reach, beyond the specific city where they physically operate. However, such a strategy is fraught with risk.
Google’s Stance on Multiple Accounts
Google maintains a strict policy against businesses opening multiple Google Business Profile accounts, except in cases where they have legitimate commercial addresses. It’s important to note that these must be genuine commercial addresses with offices, signage, and personnel, where clients can visit and interact with your business.
An instance surfaced recently when a business owner created multiple Google Business Profile accounts using residential addresses, all for the same business. Unfortunately, Google suspended all of them, including the original, legitimate address. It’s a stark reminder that attempting to manipulate the system can lead to dire consequences.
The Potential Danger
If your business finds itself in the unfortunate position of having multiple accounts suspended, you can’t merely delete them and expect everything to revert to normal. Google allows you to mark a business as permanently closed, but this doesn’t remove it from the internet. Consequently, potential customers searching for your business may encounter a glaring “Permanently Closed” sign, which can severely damage your online reputation.
Moreover, if you’re able to get your original, legitimate address verified and running again, the likelihood of it ranking high is minimal. In some cases, it can take months, or even years, to regain Google’s trust and escape what we term “Google’s blacklist”.
A Word of Caution
It’s common for businesses to justify questionable practices by pointing to competitors who seem to be benefiting from such actions. However, it’s crucial to remember that just because others appear to be getting away with bending the rules, it doesn’t mean the same will apply to you. The analogy of a successful bank robber may be relevant here: their luck doesn’t guarantee your immunity. It’s advisable to avoid finding yourself in “Google Prison” and instead strive to remain in Google’s good graces.
The Best Approach
To safeguard your business’ online reputation and performance, it’s best to adhere to Google’s guidelines. While the prospect of ranking in multiple cities might seem appealing, there are safer ways to accomplish this through organic search, beneath the local three-pack or map section.
At Big West Marketing, we assist businesses in achieving such goals all the time. If you need help navigating the Google Business Profile landscape or require more in-depth advice, feel free to set up a free consultation with us at (406) 493-1881, or visit our website at bigwestmarketing.com.
In conclusion, when it comes to managing your Google Business Profile, remember that legitimacy and adherence to guidelines are key. It’s always better to play by the rules and enjoy sustainable, long-term success rather than risk the repercussions of shortcut strategies.
Stay tuned to our next post, and until then, keep ranking high – the right way!
