Why Isn't My Business Showing on Google Maps?

Two people searching the same words can see different results, because they're in different places. You might also be missing because you're not verified yet, you've been restricted, your profile is new, or it isn't filled in.

• Google Business Profile: your free business listing on Google Search and Google Maps.
• Service area business: a business that goes out to customers, rather than customers coming to it.
• Relevance: how well your profile matches what someone searched for.
• Distance: how far you are from the person searching, or the place they searched.
• Prominence: how well known your business is, including links to your website and your reviews.
• Suspended: when Google hides or locks a profile because something broke its rules.
• Appeal: asking Google to look again at a suspension. You can usually only appeal once.

Search your exact business name and town first. If you show up for your name but not for plumber near me, your profile is working; you're just not winning that search yet.

• Not there for your own name: check ownership, verification and restrictions
• There for your name, not for your trade: check your category, services, website, distance and reviews
• There in one town, not another: that's usually distance and competition
• Just changed something: give Google time to check it, and look for messages on your profile

Don't just keep searching for yourself. Sign in to the account that owns the profile and look for messages about verification, suspension, duplicates or rejected changes.

• Are you signed in to the owner account?
• Is verification finished?
• Any emails or notices from Google?
• Are your name, category, website, phone and hours right?
• Does your address or area follow the rules?

Pick the closest main category and fill in your real services. Link to a website that clearly says what you do and where. Don't repeat keywords over and over.

If you're further away than other trades, you may not show up for that customer. A bigger service area doesn't move your base. Google also says you can't ask or pay for a better free ranking.

Google Ads can buy you an advert spot, including at the top of Maps results, but that's separate from your free ranking, and it still doesn't guarantee a call.

Google says how well known you are is based partly on how many websites link to you and how many reviews you have. Keep your profile complete, get honest reviews, reply to them, and keep your website accurate. It's good practice, not a magic formula.

See How to Ask Customers for Google Reviews.

If your profile has been suspended, read Google's notice and compare every detail with its rules. Get paperwork with the same name and address as your profile, then appeal through Google's own tool. Don't make a new profile while you wait.

Note the searches and places that matter to you, but judge your profile by what customers do: calls, website visits, direction requests and real enquiries. They tell you far more than one screenshot.