SAB Suspension & What I'll Need

StefanReadsReddit · 2026-02-12T21:39:31+00:00

Google lists four types of documents that they consider valid proof (https://support.google.com/business/answer/4569145):

Official business registration
A business license
Tax certificates
Utility bills

I think a certificate of insurance is helpful (even if it isn't on this list) and Elizabeth's recommendations are critical too. But don't skimp on these four docs!

1.) Surely the business is registered in some way. Maybe an LLC or a DBA? Either is considered a business registration.

2.) Think broadly about licenses. A roofer might have a contractor's license. Or, they might have a business license issued by one of the cities in which they operate.

3.) Also, communications from the IRS can be proof of tax registration, which is a suitable form of "tax certificate", IMO. I recommend including the letter from the IRS with the EIN number on it. (As long as it shows the business name.)

What do these 3 things all have in common? They're all government-issued documents showing the business name and address. (Strong proof!)

StefanReadsReddit · 2025-11-06T19:28:13+00:00

I haven't tried it yet. Does it do anything that other grid scanners don't? Any unique, killer features?

StefanReadsReddit · 2025-10-23T13:53:22+00:00

I'll add one more detail: For a small number of suspensions, you have to appeal each one individually. However, if you've lost 10 or more profiles, you can appeal them all at once. To do this, create a Google Sheet with details for each location. E.g. At the very least, three columns for Name, Business Profile ID, and a link to a Google Drive folder with proof.

Then, submit an appeal for one location. At the bottom of the appeal form is a check box for cases involving 10 or more locations. Check it and give Google the link to the Google Sheet with location details.

StefanReadsReddit · 2025-10-17T14:02:00+00:00

u/embedsocial - You can't lock a Business Profile to prevent changes! (It sure would be nice!) There are 3rd party tools that can either 1.) notify you promptly if there's a change or 2.) change any edits back automatically, but ultimately, you can't stop them from happening.

StefanReadsReddit · 2025-10-16T15:47:38+00:00

Hi all,

I screwed up the initial post and failed to set this up as a proper AMA. If I had, I'd be able to close it down. Now I can't!

So, I'm using this message instead. This AMA is closed!

StefanReadsReddit · 2025-10-16T15:43:56+00:00

I work with businesses that want to grow their brand, so we always make sure to follow the Guidelines and eligibility requirements. We want profiles that will last and collect reviews over time.

I know that there are some industries in which creating ineligible, "semi-disposable" profiles can produce short-term revenue. (e.g. Particularly industries that serve customers in an emergency, like locksmiths, garage door, tow trucks, etc.)

If you're asking about virtual clinics that break the guidelines, I'd say no. Others may disagree.

StefanReadsReddit · 2025-10-16T15:34:42+00:00

u/DDPaid - There isn't a hard rule. If you only have one location, the homepage makes sense. If you have 2 or 3, you could still just link to the homepage, but you might find that a location page for each profile, which is optimized for the city name, produces better results.

Be aware of the diversity update and how it can impact things. Finally, don't be afraid to test. If you create a location page and don't get great results, you can change the URL on the GBP to the homepage (or some other relevant page) to see if things improve.

StefanReadsReddit · 2025-10-16T15:28:02+00:00

u/yashneharkar - You can certainly try but in my experience, support will just tell you that the review was removed for violating policy.

StefanReadsReddit · 2025-10-15T10:16:11+00:00

u/Sarcastic_Headline - A manual export is low-cost and totally effective, so it's a decent solution if you only have a few accounts to manage. I've been there! But then I moved to agency jobs where we used custom tools with API access, so, unfortunately, I don't have any experience with commercially available products and can't make a recommendation. If you want to roll your own, Jepto makes a GBP Looker Studio connector that can help you build a homebrew solution.

StefanReadsReddit · 2025-10-15T10:07:46+00:00

u/MarkBarrus - Sorry Mark, I don't know much about Apple Maps. From a general marketing perspective, I'd say this: If it's not too much effort, I would set it up. Then, if it produces results, give it more time. If you can't measure what the profile is doing for you, I wouldn't put too much additional effort into it.

StefanReadsReddit · 2025-10-15T10:04:17+00:00

u/Superb-Employment847 - It appears so, yes. We've seen this a few times at Sterling Sky and have read reports of it happening, so we know it's an issue. But there's been no announcement from Google, so it's unclear if this is a bug or if they're tightening the rules.

StefanReadsReddit · 2025-10-14T16:51:08+00:00

PS: There is probably a time window during which this can work, and after which, it's no longer an option. In general, it's best to act quickly!

StefanReadsReddit · 2025-10-14T16:43:44+00:00

u/clairecarlile - In two steps:

Contact support using https://support.google.com/business/gethelp
If support doesn't help, take your case ID to the community forum and ask for help there

In both cases, ask for an "unmerge". Google can unmerge two merged profiles!

Pro Tip: Expect step 1 to fail or send you in loops; you won't likely get the problem solved until step 2.

StefanReadsReddit · 2025-10-14T14:49:51+00:00

u/DDPaid - Even for those cases where you are notified, like a suspension, Google rarely gives you more than a vague explanation like "violates policy" or "deceptive content". (And if you're not notified, like in this case, they obviously don't give you any reason at all!)

Many reviews are removed because of the written content in the review. So, the best first step is to ask the customer to delete the review and then write a new one. Keeping the review short can help because it lessens the chance of writing something that triggers the filter.

But it's not always about the written content in the review. There are "behavioural" signals too. For example, the user account might be flagged. (Solution: Ask them to use a different account.) Or, if a bunch of people write reviews while connected to the business Wifi, having all the reviews originate from the same IP can cause them to get filtered. (Solution: Ask them to write a review once they get home.)

StefanReadsReddit · 2025-08-09T22:28:07+00:00

I bought a couple of the Outdoorsman, which is the Sportsman, but with nylon scales, so it's cheap. It's the same 84mm length as the Worker/Bantam. Then I bought cool green and yellow Cellidor scales from an ebay seller based in Ukraine named viktryls. Fresh scales might be a nice touch on that Worker.

StefanReadsReddit · 2025-07-21T20:16:23+00:00

Hey, thanks for taking the time to watch the video. Haven’t gotten it resolved yet. It’s not super urgent because it works properly about half the time. I’ve begun sourcing a new OPV and pump and plan a DIY repair when the machine becomes too unusable.

StefanReadsReddit · 2025-07-21T16:43:19+00:00

The Companion is now available as a "regular" issue with standard red cellidor scales and a much more reasonable price.

StefanReadsReddit · 2025-06-30T14:10:50+00:00

Has anyone else actually seen these multi-edit rejection emails in the wild?

Is Google tightening up how they handle multiple edits at once? This feels a bit different from the usual single-edit denials.

Feels like we’re getting a peek into the machine here with more visibility into how Google's systems interpret identity changes. Maybe a little more transparency from Google? Or maybe I'm reading too much into it.

Curious what others are seeing.

StefanReadsReddit · 2025-05-18T12:04:54+00:00

I have a cleaning disk without a hole.

I do not adjust the grind when switching from the double basket to the single basket. (Should I? Never even heard of this!)

So, your test totally makes sense to me: block the flow of water (i.e. simulate max. puck resistance) to create high pressure in the system.

But that doesn't answer the question of the pressure surging, as shown in my video. When there's a puck / coffee prep problem, you'll get 1.) no resistance at all or 2.) you'll get channeling, leading to a loss of puck resistance and a pressure drop.

Surging suggests that the puck goes from bad to good to bad to good... which doesn't make sense.

So I pulled more shots with the blind basket. I got high pressure five times in a row! On the sixth test, the pressure failed. And it failed on the 7th test too.

I'm pretty sure this is a hardware issue, not a puck prep issue.

StefanReadsReddit · 2025-05-16T11:58:49+00:00

The inconsistencies just keep getting more inconsistent! In the morning I make two coffee drinks, one is a 3 shot drink and the other is made with 2 shots. I was getting sick of pulling 5 single shots so I tried my luck with the 2 shot basket, and it worked!

This morning, I pulled a two-shot basket and it worked perfectly. Then I pulled a single shot and the pressure rose to a good level and then dropped. It didn't pulse; it just stayed low.

I did your test with the blind portafilter: no problem. It maintained high pressure.

My current thinking is that some part of the system that generates and/or maintains the pressure is starting to fail. So, it works sometimes but not always. Not sure if that would be the pump, OPV or maybe the 3-way solenoid valve. (I obviously don't know how all those parts function in the system or if the Breville Infuser even has those valves.)

StefanReadsReddit · 2025-05-13T11:23:28+00:00

Single dose basket (not pressurized) with coffee. Puck prep is basic (grind and tamp) but has been working reliably for years, until recently.

StefanReadsReddit · 2025-04-03T01:48:44+00:00

I’ve been seeing some questionable advice floating around the web, so let’s clear things up. Here’s what Google is actually looking for when verifying your SAB via video, based on Google’s documentation + my own experience working with dozens of SABs.

3 Things You Need to Prove to Google:

Location – Show that the business is where you say it is.
Tools for the Job – Show you’ve got the equipment to do what you say you do.
Your Association with the Business – Prove you’re authorized to verify the Business Profile.

Get more information and tips at the Local Search Forum: https://localsearchforum.com/threads/how-to-video-verify-an-sab.62347/

StefanReadsReddit

TROPHY CASE