How-to guide
Why Isn't My Business Showing on Google Maps?
Written by the Web Design Lab NYC team · Published
You search for your own service in your own town and your business isn't there. It's frustrating, and it's more common than you'd think. Most of the time the cause is one of a handful of fixable problems. Go through them in order.
1. The profile isn't verified, or it was suspended
An unverified profile won't show up properly. A suspended one disappears. Log in to your Google Business Profile and check its status first.
2. The wrong primary category
If your primary category is too general, or describes something else, Google may not show you for the searches you care about. Pick the most specific category that matches your main service.
3. You're searching from the wrong place
Map results depend heavily on where the person searching is. If you search from home in another town, you may not see what customers near your office see. Search from inside your service area, or ask someone there to check.
4. Competitors have more reviews and activity
In busy categories, businesses with steady reviews, photos and posts tend to rank higher. If yours has gone quiet, it can slip below them.
5. Missing services and details
If your services, hours and description are empty, Google has less reason to match you to a search. Fill in everything that applies.
6. A weak website, or none at all
Google also looks at the website your profile links to. A page that clearly says what you do and where you do it helps the map. A slow or empty page doesn't. Not sure if yours needs work? Read new website or SEO first.
7. Your details don't match across the web
If Yelp, Facebook, Bing or old directories show a different name, phone or address, it can confuse Google. Make them match.
8. The search is just very competitive
Sometimes everything is right and the search is simply crowded, like "dentist Jersey City". That's when steady work on reviews, content and links makes the difference over time. Read how long local SEO takes.