Changing Website Link on GBP Can Trigger Re-verification?

[dnp]

Hello all,

This may be a dumb question but thought to ask anyway. Could changing the website address on a GBP profile potentially trigger re-verification? I was thinking to UTM tag my client’s site and replace the current one.

Thank you!

 

[Colan Nielsen]

It's possible but unlikely. It depends on a bunch of factors but mostly the category that the business is in. Some categories are under more scrutiny from Google.

 

[JS Girard]

If you're not changing the domain, I would be EXTREMELY surprised if this caused trouble

 

[dnp]

Thanks @Colan Nielsen, do you have some examples of these categories?

@JS Girard I know yeah, I believe it shouldn't be an issue, but with so many suspension cases it always gets me overthinking lol

 

[JS Girard]

Usually, GBPs are most sensitive on NAP, and not the website. Google can take issue with a given URL. For example if it goes through multiple redirects or is a frame around a different domain, but I've never seen it clearly trigger a suspension. Google will just remove a URL it doesn't like.

Sometimes Google has an itchy trigger finger in general in the first 2-4 days after validation (especially around core updates), but again, clearly not an issue here.

 

[Colan Nielsen]

do you have some examples of these categories?

Locksmiths, garage door, plumbers, mostly verticals that have an SAB element to them. There's no official list, so these are just based on experience.

 

[keyserholiday]

I

If you're not changing the domain, I would be EXTREMELY surprised if this caused trouble

I have seen it happen a few times and a buddy just had it happen at his agency.

 

[dnp]

I

I have seen it happen a few times and a buddy just had it happen at his agency.

What kind of issue was that?

 

[Tim Colling]

What kind of issue was that?

They were talking about a suspension occurring after the website address was changed to add UTM codes to it.

 

[dnp]

Thank you for clarifying @Tim Colling! And you’re right @keyserholiday I saw people tweeted just a few hours ago that some GBP profiles got suspended for adding UTM tags (they used hashtag #localseo on Twitter if yall want to look them up). Very strange.

 

[chadkimball]

also you should know that everyone is getting suspended for the smallest changes to their GMP right now. I would hold off making ANY changes to a gmp no matter how small.

 

[dnp]

also you should know that everyone is getting suspended for the smallest changes to their GMP right now. I would hold off making ANY changes to a gmp no matter how small.

I've been holding off creating posts on my clients' profiles today because of the sheer number of profiles that are getting suspended. This is just unbelievable.

 

[Marcin Karwowski]

More about the increase in suspensions is mentioned in this forum thread

Uptick in suspensions occurring (not related to reinstatement response times)

Hi All, Is anyone else experiencing an unprecedented amount of GBP suspensions? I had 3 separate profiles suspend after doing a post on the account. Other accounts are suspending after making changes to business hours or main categories. These are across 3 different countries and listings are...

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