In the coming weeks, Google will bring the EU version of the Google Business Profile reinstatement process to the US. Local SEOs are buzzing about it because it converts the process into a wizard that walks you through the steps but more importantly, it seems you get one chance at reinstatement and that is it.
Ben Fisher wrote about this in great detail on his blog saying, "The old process was simple." "This is an improvement in process and transparency about what policy was violated," he says about the new process but you have one chance to be reinstated and you have 60 minutes to provide business proof, which many small businesses do not have handy when they first go through the process.
You can likely access this new appeal process directly over here, here is a screenshot of parts of the process. Most of the time, you'd probably act right off of an email notification from Google Business Profiles.
You can select your account first, then it asks you which business you want to manage appeals for:
Here are some more screenshots of the process from Ben:
Again, check Ben's post for more details.
Here is some of the reaction to this:
If you work with Google listings at all, you need to bookmark this article. Ben outlines major changes to the reinstatement process that affect first EU listings, then global in the coming weeks. This is not a drill, it's already rolling out. Be ready, all. https://t.co/lnILOmPrlR
— Amy Toman 🐚🩴🐚 (@BubblesUp) September 8, 2023
Wow is right. This should make a lot of local SEOs pay more attention to their listings' activities and documentation. Only one shot at reinstatement. Then forum. 😲
— Amy Toman 🐚🩴🐚 (@BubblesUp) September 9, 2023
A new and improved Google Business Profile Suspension process is rolling out in the EEA that improves transparency on why your GBP listing was suspended. This is a new suspension/appeal workflow - no new policy updates. It will roll out worldwide eventually. @rustybrick pic.twitter.com/Xh56xAO11A
— Sherry Bonelli (@sherrybonelli) September 8, 2023
Since this process seems to give you one shot at a reinstatement, Google Product Experts may see more requests for help in the forums...
Forum discussion at X.
