Recent content by Stefan Somborac

Remember: updating the profile should be your last step. Get the DBA and update everything else first (including your documents). Ideally, you should have the DBA name across all your documents. Say you have an LLC and the DBA shows that it was registered by that LLC. In that case, the...

For the last few months, there have been lots of posts in the Google Business Profile community forum about GBP verification taking a long time. Some users mention wait times of weeks or even months, which is a whole lot longer than the five days suggested by Google! Fig. 1 - The "verification...

Hi @Jessica C - I agree with @adammaxum in that the DBA on its own probably isn't enough. For a suspension, a video might be helpful but isn't required. (Videos are for verification, not suspension cases.) Google lists what they're looking for in Fix suspended or disabled profiles. Official...

@Jessica C - The DBA is helpful if the name edit on your Business Profile triggers a suspension. It won't prevent it. When making a name edit, updating the profile should be your last step. First, update your website, Facebook Page, Yelp listing, etc. Basically, anywhere Google might find your...

@JS Girard raises a good point: If you run into problems and can't complete verification, contact support and request LIVE video verification. The support team can't give you any of the other options for verification but they do have the power to open up LIVE video verification.

I've never documented the cases where I'm confident an edit triggered a suspension. (Obviously, I should have!) Thoughts/opinions: 1.) As @JoyHawkins points out, some categories are more likely to get suspended than others E.g. locksmiths = super-risky, book store = not risky 2.) Also as per...

I see lots of requests for help with verification issues on the Help Community forum. It's clear that the Business Profile verification process is glitchy, but that's only part of the problem, IMO. Another factor contributing to all the forum traffic is the fact that people don't know how to...

As posted above: 1.) When you verify a Business Profile, Google decides which verification options you get. You might not have the option to verify by email. Often, video verification is the only choice presented. It's determined by an algorithm. You won't know what options you've got until you...

@Nafiz - In most cases, you don't have to have a storefront, ss long as you engage with customers face-to-face. However, if the business deals with age-restricted products, like cannabis, it must have a storefront.

@Bryan Bloom - Pleper does provide the full CID URL! There are a bunch of icons across the bottom that all provide useful URLs. (In fact, surprisingly useful. You should explore these!) The map pin icon is the CID URL. Right-click it and copy it.

Hi @Nafiz - Two things: 1.) When you verify a Business Profile, Google decides which verification options you get. You might not have the option to verify by email. Often, video verification is the only choice presented. 2.) Google requires businesses selling age-restricted products, like...

@SilviaWebSEO - Let me offer a different perspective. GBP is a free product. While it helps support Google's money making efforts, it is an expense, not a revenue generator like, say, Google Ads. Providing good support is expensive. So, providing good support for Google Business Profile (GBP)...

Ah! Language settings! Great addition! That's a much less significant concern for North American businesses. I do all my work in English so I totally overlooked the language issue.

In a recent interview with Joy, Toronto SEO Steve Toth answered the question "What is your favorite underrated SEO tool?" without hesitation: Google Search. That's not a new idea. (Not to diminish Steve's response! I think he nailed it.) Local SEO legend and co-host of the gone but not...

@SilviaWebSEO - Speaking specifically to your situation: Only Google support can merge your profiles so focus on your existing thread with the support team. If there is a solution, this is where you'll find it. There is no way to speed up the process, so be patient Google can't move profiles...