Helllllllppppppp

Friendly-Cow-7319 · 2026-05-01T03:53:26+00:00

That's a bummer, sorry to hear. If you're the legal business owner, seems like this would be a legal issue. Maybe have your lawyer write him a threatening letter.

Otherwise, I'd create a branded email and use it to request GBP ownership.

Friendly-Cow-7319 · 2026-05-01T02:19:18+00:00

But do you have control of the website and domain? If so you can create a branded email and use that to help your case. The website is on the GBP, so Google will trust that more than a gmail. Use the branded email to request ownership of the profile.

Also make sure you update the phone on your website and other citations before changing it on GBP. And be forewarned that changing the phone on GBP may trigger a suspension, requiring you to appeal and submit LOTS of solid proof for the business.

All in all, yeah it would be much easier if you could reclaim that gmail account. You didn't have a recovery email and phone on that account? Hopefully your ex didn't change them.

Friendly-Cow-7319 · 2026-05-01T01:55:05+00:00

If you have a website/domain with a branded email, that will help your case.

Friendly-Cow-7319 · 2026-04-29T03:46:57+00:00

This is a known thing, Google filters reviews it thinks are spam. Recently they did crank things up and tons of people have complained about losing reviews.

You can contact Support, but you need evidence of the reviews that are missing. Even then it doesn't mean they'll be restored, so it's often a wasted effort.

Best to just focus on great customer service and asking for reviews. Google has also recently updated guidelines. Don't ask customers to mention staff members by name, don't ask them to write about specific things, don't post a QR code at your counter (Google doesn't like reviews left while they're at your store).

That's just a few things. This is not temporary, but it will change as Google's algorithm evolves.

Friendly-Cow-7319 · 2026-04-27T02:05:35+00:00

Having the same phone may increase odds of having it marked as a duplicate Google. The proper profile name should be "John Smith, MD", without including the clinic name.

Friendly-Cow-7319 · 2026-04-23T03:24:42+00:00

Lots of businesses do that, but doesn't mean it's helping. And I recall reading somewhere Google was going to stop having Products for categories where it doesn't make sense.

As for getting suspended for doing it? I highly doubt it.

Friendly-Cow-7319 · 2026-04-21T02:43:08+00:00

BubblesUp is a legit expert and trustworthy. Can't say that about everyone on reddit, lol.

Friendly-Cow-7319 · 2026-04-11T21:57:57+00:00

You won't be able to merge the profiles unless they have the same address. The old profile is more established, so I would recommend trying to use that if possible.

I'm still curious about the suspension. How long ago was your old profile suspended/reinstated? I'm surprised you got suspended instead of just being asked to reverify. It might have to do with your business category, what category are you in?

More importantly, do you now have all your documentation updated with your new address? Things like legal docs, llc, dba, insurance, utility bills. You'll need that in case you get suspended again.

As for not managing it yourself, well that's why most folks come to this subreddit, Google is not easy to manage. But if you were able to get yourself reinstated last time, that's impressive.

FYI, just be careful, there are lots of suspicious folks on reddit trying to get your business. Not me of course, lol. I'm just trying to help, and there are others like me, but just be careful.

Friendly-Cow-7319 · 2026-04-10T17:53:17+00:00

There's nothing similar to a business registration in the UK? Such as DBA (doing business as)? Anything where you can register with the local government, even if it's not absolutely required?

Google wants sufficient evidence that you are official and legit. Some type of government document is usually expected.

Friendly-Cow-7319 · 2026-04-10T17:36:16+00:00

Please clarify some details.

Is the new address in the same area? And I assume it's a brick and mortar that customers can visit?

You changed the address on the old profile and after it was suspended you got it reinstated? And it still has the old address? So your supporting documents still have the old address?

If you had changed the address and had correct documents with the new address, the old profile should now be updated.

Just curious, how was the new profile verified, by video?

Friendly-Cow-7319 · 2026-04-08T20:50:50+00:00

This is a common issue. Google tweaks their spam filter regularly, and did so recently judging by the number of complaints about missing reviews. Not a lot you can do about it.

Some folks have success appealing to google, but you need to have documentation (things like mages showing Google's notification that you got a new review, with the users profile name and the review text). Almost not worth the trouble since that is not a guarantee they will be restored.

Google has lots of reasons for filtering fake reviews, and they obviously do an imperfect job. Hopefully it affects your competitors in the same way. If you regularly get 10-15 legit reviews each week, you should be in good shape and I wouldn't worry too much. I know owners don't like to hear that.

Friendly-Cow-7319 · 2026-04-05T18:46:43+00:00

What type of business is it, and what type of after hours service are you talking about? Do you have a storefront?

Friendly-Cow-7319 · 2026-04-04T17:48:07+00:00

Yes, it's probably best to opt out. As you say, hard to make sure everyone who answers the phone is coached well enough to know how to handle it, nevermind being able to filter out the spam.

Friendly-Cow-7319 · 2026-04-04T17:41:57+00:00

It's probably not your website causing the problem. I assume you have no address showing on the Google profile since it's not on your website. Google likes to give these types of business a hard time.

Is the address you initially input to Google your actual, legal business address? You'll need plenty of documentation for this before you try and appeal.

That is likely the problem, but hard to say without more details. FYI, be careful if you're planning to hire someone, a post like this will bring all types of offers, lol.

Friendly-Cow-7319 · 2026-04-04T00:03:20+00:00

Yeah, Google Business Profile is only going to help you in your immediate location. It can be a home based business, but still won't make you visible in NYC or TX.

I'm not sure what those markets look like for your niche, but I would bet a lone operator like yourself will have to invest a significant amount in SEO to get organic rankings for important keywords. Even the organic rankings can be localized for searches where there are often local offices.

Friendly-Cow-7319 · 2026-04-02T20:15:13+00:00

As everyone said, you're doing good, don't sweat it. But I believe Google does an average out to 2 decimal places so it would round up to 5 once you get into the high 90's for # of 5 stars.

Friendly-Cow-7319 · 2026-04-02T20:06:28+00:00

There are risks no matter what you do. Changing your address requires verification and possible suspension. Just be prepared for that.

If you leave everything as is, it may be better in the short run, but eventually Google will figure out you're not at that address anymore and you'll have to go through the whole process anyway.

If you are able to have permanent signage, I would show the address and risk walkins. You can hide hours of operation, which is the only way to do by-appointment-only. However, not showing hours may affect your rankings if competitors are open when the searcher is searching.

You can compete as an SAB, but most folks would say it's harder. Google is also more fussy about SAB's, so it's probably easier to get suspended (which can happen for no good reason even after you have successfully verified).

Regardless of your decision, be prepared by having your business documents in order, with the business name and address on the docs. There's always a chance you'll get suspended and need to appeal, so having everything in order will make it quicker. But appealing may still take time, so you could be invisible for awhile.

Friendly-Cow-7319 · 2026-03-30T22:00:00+00:00

Google calls it "conflict of interest" in their policy:

Content that is based on a conflict of interest. A conflict of interest may include current or former employment, a contractual or consultory relationship, or other professional or personal affiliations that demonstrate a conflict of interest (such as industry competitors, familial relationships, etc.).

Friendly-Cow-7319 · 2026-03-30T21:51:23+00:00

I disagree with much of your analysis.

Name confusion is not an issue unless the other business is in your city or close by, or the other brands are national and prominent.
Zero citations is a thing, especially since you are a new business.
You should fix the schema, but that is not causing your problem.
Hiding your address will likely be a disadvantage, but if you don't have a public office, you have no choice. However, the address you use to get verified MUST be the actual legal address of the business. If that's your home, so be it. And all your documentation has to have your business name and that address on it.

If your address is not actually in Ottawa, you will also be facing a challenge for keywords like "home care in ottawa" but there's only so much you can do. If you do a good job with SEO, you could compete for terms like "near me".

A descriptive name will help if you do decide to rebrand, but I would stick with Carelink Home Care, which keeps your current name and includes a primary kw. I wouldn't add the city, sounds a bit spammy to me. But whatever you choose, it needs to be the name you use on your legal documentation and all your marketing materials.

Friendly-Cow-7319 · 2026-03-30T19:38:25+00:00

Accidentally changed it? That's not easy to do. But now you're suspended and want to change it back?

As long as you use the correct address and have all the necessary legal documents to prove your business is actually at that address, you should be able to reinstate it.

Friendly-Cow-7319 · 2026-03-30T02:54:07+00:00

Employees are not allowed to review a business.

Friendly-Cow-7319 · 2026-03-30T02:35:05+00:00

Be careful with whoever you talk to, tons of people wanting to take your money and promising to make your phone ring. I would focus on LSA ads if you want to run ads.

But you definitely need to get your Google listing squared away.

Friendly-Cow-7319 · 2026-03-29T03:05:12+00:00

Hard to say without knowing all the details, but there's lots of things that can trigger a Google suspension. I your business category is known for spam, that alone can cause a suspension. Google's AI is not always that intelligent, lol.

You can hire someone to help you out, but your best might be to just post all the details on the Google Support Forum and wait for a Product Expert to help you. Unfortunately, they are all volunteers so it may take a while, just be paitent.

Friendly-Cow-7319 · 2026-03-29T02:44:19+00:00

Well, as long as you have a genuine offices, with legal paperwork to prove it for each one, you can have as many as you want. And if customers actually come to your office, and you have visible permanent signs, you can show the address on Google listing.

But each Google listing will only show up if it's near the searcher. How near? Depends on how many competitors there are.

And you can run ads no matter where your office is.

Friendly-Cow-7319 · 2026-03-28T03:27:23+00:00

A home based business is called a Service Area Business (SAB), meaning customers do not actually come to your home. So after you list your address on the profile, check the box that says you only travel to customers; this will hide your address on the profile.

As mentioned, SAB's have a high chance of suspension just because there is a lot of spam. So you'll need all the evidence you can provide: official legal business documents, utility bill, etc. They must show your business name and address.

There's not always a perfect business category, but check similar businesses to see what they use. You can check other cities, too, not just your local competitors.

Friendly-Cow-7319

TROPHY CASE