Filing DBA to use keywords in business name for GBP

[Jessica C]

If I am an existing photography business (14 years) that wants to add keywords to my business name and file a DBA to reflect this. What is the process on changing business name over on GBP? Meaning, once I get the DBA, do I just make the edit in GBP and hold on to that DBA in case my profile gets suspended? Or do I somehow show the DBA to GBP at the time of changing? Can anyone shed light on the process of this? I've watched quite a few YT videos saying filing a DBA is the "safe" way to do this, but is it "safe" because you have the DBA in hand in case your GMP profile gets suspended? At what point do you use your DBA?

 

[Stefan Somborac]

@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 business online, it should find the new DBA name. That way, when you update your profile, Google is more likely to believe that the name edit is correct.

 

[Jessica C]

@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 business online, it should find the new DBA name. That way, when you update your profile, Google is more likely to believe that the name edit is correct.

thank you so much- I really appreciate your help!

 

[Jessica C]

@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 business online, it should find the new DBA name. That way, when you update your profile, Google is more likely to believe that the name edit is correct.

sorry one follow up question. If I do these steps, then lastly update the GBP with new DBA name- and it triggers a suspension. What are the steps to then "prove" your business name with your DBA? Is that a difficult process? Have you/your client ever gone through this process? Using the DBA for a suspension.

 

[adammaxum]

sorry one follow up question. If I do these steps, then lastly update the GBP with new DBA name- and it triggers a suspension. What are the steps to then "prove" your business name with your DBA? Is that a difficult process? Have you/your client ever gone through this process? Using the DBA for a suspension.

the usual process.

the DBA alone is not going to be enough

they are going to require you to submit a utility bill and likely do the dumb video recording of your location where you have to record yourself outside and inside the location with signage and proof that the business exists at the address and that the name/location match.

 

[Stefan Somborac]

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.

1. Official business registration (LLC and/or DBA, S-Corp)
2. A business license
3. Tax certificates
4. Utility bills for the business such as:
   • Electricity
   • Phone
   • Water
   • Internet

"Business license" is pretty broad. This could be a business license issued by the city or county, a professional license issued by the state (e.g. a contractor's license, master plumber's license, real estate or insurance agent's license, state bar registration, etc.) or licensing required for the facility (e.g. rehab clinic, dispensary, etc.) In short, I believe Google is looking at any type of license as government-issued proof of the business name, address and type.

So, if you were to get suspended, you'd want to collect as many of those 4 types of documents as possible.

 

[Jessica C]

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.

1. Official business registration (LLC and/or DBA, S-Corp)
2. A business license
3. Tax certificates
4. Utility bills for the business such as:
   • Electricity
   • Phone
   • Water
   • Internet

"Business license" is pretty broad. This could be a business license issued by the city or county, a professional license issued by the state (e.g. a contractor's license, master plumber's license, real estate or insurance agent's license, state bar registration, etc.) or licensing required for the facility (e.g. rehab clinic, dispensary, etc.) In short, I believe Google is looking at any type of license as government-issued proof of the business name, address and type.

So, if you were to get suspended, you'd want to collect as many of those 4 types of documents as possible.

ok thank you very much. Does this mean that if I added keywords to my business name, filed a DBA with 'keyworded" business name, I would then have to change my business license, utility bill, tax certs, etc.- and possibly signage too? Just thinking through the steps here.

 

[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 documents could show either name. (IMO. Opinions may vary on this!)

Also, Google appears to ignore small variations in the name. So, even if the name matching isn't perfect, it can work. The problem is that we don't know how much wiggle room Google allows. So, the closer you can get to perfect name matching across all your documents, the better.

 

[Jessica C]

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 documents could show either name. (IMO. Opinions may vary on this!)

Also, Google appears to ignore small variations in the name. So, even if the name matching isn't perfect, it can work. The problem is that we don't know how much wiggle room Google allows. So, the closer you can get to perfect name matching across all your documents, the better.

@Stefan Somborac ok got it- thank you. I appreciate your insight so much. If it's allowed, I wanted to ask you- I have a business name on GBP that does not match my website url. Is that ok? Example: GBP business name is Silverleaf Photography and website is Juliesilverleafphotography.com. I noticed on my GBP, if I scroll down to "web results", it is pulling the wrong web results- they are all web results for a different Silverleaf Photography business that is in a different state. So I took that as a bad sign. Any advice?