Google Business Profiles Are Broken: Here’s How I Fix Them

Why Most Google Business Profiles Fail (And How It Hurts Your Business)

I have worked with business owners across multiple industries, and the one issue I have repeatedly seen is broken Google Business Profiles. Many assume the job is done once their Google Business Profile is set up, but that is far from the truth.

An incomplete or poorly optimized Google Business Profile results in:

• Lower search rankings, meaning fewer potential customers find your business
• Poor search visibility, causing missed opportunities for organic traffic
• Reduced Google Maps exposure, making it harder for nearby mobile users to locate your physical location

When your Google Business listing is not fully optimized, it directly affects customer trust, local rankings, and lead generation. I have developed a strategy to fix these issues and improve your online presence.

The Biggest Issue Holding Your Google Business Profile Back

One of the most common mistakes I see is inconsistent business information across platforms. Google relies on structured data to determine search engine optimization rankings, and when your business details are mismatched, it confuses search engines and customers alike.

Common Google Business Profile Issues I Fix

• Incorrect or outdated name, address, and phone number information
• Choosing the wrong business categories, affecting search visibility
• Duplicate listings that dilute rankings and trust signals
• Lack of valuable content, such as business updates, offers, or FAQs
• Missing inbound links, reducing credibility in local search rankings

Google Business Profiles play a key role in local SEO, and I have seen businesses experience significant improvements just by fixing these core issues.

Fixing NAP Inconsistencies to Improve Search Visibility

One of the most overlooked ranking signals in local SEO campaigns is consistency across the web regarding name, address, and phone number. If your business info appears differently on your Google My Business profile, business directories, or online business directories, it weakens your local search presence.

How I Fix This

1. Audit your business directories to correct any conflicting name, address, and phone number details.
2. Ensure your Google Business Profile listing matches your website and other business profiles exactly.
3. Update citations on key platforms like Google My Business, Yelp, and industry-specific sites

Google prioritizes business profiles that show consistent and accurate data. Correcting your business location and contact details, I help businesses rank higher in Google Maps and local search results.

Why Customer Reviews and Citations Matter for SEO Rankings

Customer reviews are one of the most crucial local SEO ranking factors, yet many businesses ignore them. As key ranking signals, Google considers positive reviews, review frequency, and business engagement.

How I Fix This

1. Implement a customer review strategy to encourage more happy customers to leave feedback.
2. Respond professionally to both positive reviews and bad reviews to improve engagement.
3. Optimize reviews with relevant keywords, reinforcing local credibility

Citations that mention a business’s name, address, and phone number on other websites strengthen Google My Business Optimization efforts. When citations are missing or incorrect, Google’s algorithm loses confidence in your business listing.

The Right Business Categories Are a Game-Changer

Choosing the wrong business categories on your Google Business Profile can drastically reduce visibility. Google uses categories to determine relevance; if your primary category is incorrect, you miss out on qualified leads.

How I Fix This

1. Analyze competitors’ business categories to determine the best fit
2. Update primary and secondary categories to ensure they align with target keywords
3. Add attributes, like “online booking” or “24-hour service,” to increase relevance for search terms

Fixing business categories often results in immediate ranking improvements because it helps Google correctly position your business in local search results.

Why Regular Google Business Profile Updates and Posts Are Essential

Google rewards active business profiles that regularly publish valuable content. If you have not posted anything on your Google Business listing in months, your competitors who consistently update theirs will have an edge.

How I Fix This

1. Develop an ongoing content strategy with Google Business Profile posts, special offers, and FAQs.
2. Optimize posts with relevant keywords to improve search visibility
3. Ensure the profile stays updated to maintain high local rankings

Keeping a Google Business Profile fresh signals to Google that a business is active and relevant, leading to higher local rankings and increased foot traffic.

Final Thoughts: Why You Need an Optimized Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile is often the first impression potential customers have of your business. You are handing over leads to competitors who invest in local SEO campaigns if not optimized correctly.

I have helped business owners recover lost search rankings, improve search visibility, and increase organic traffic by fixing broken Google Business Profiles.

If your Google Business listing is not ranking where it should be, it is time to fix that. Let’s optimize your profile and get your business seen by more potential customers today.