You might be making one of these common but costly local SEO errors. This guide reveals the top GBP mistakes and how to fix them to reclaim your lost customers. Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is your most powerful tool for attracting local customers. Yet, many businesses unknowingly sabotage their own efforts with simple, fixable mistakes. These errors can make your profile invisible in search results, create customer frustration, and directly send business to your competitors. Let's dive into the biggest GBP mistakes and how you can correct them today.
Mistake #1: Inconsistent NAP Information
The Problem: Your business's Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) are not identical across all online platforms (your website, GBP, Yelp, Facebook, etc.). A slight variation like "St." vs. "Street" or "(555)" vs. "555" can confuse Google's algorithm.
Why It's Costly: Inconsistent NAP data erodes Google's trust in your business. If Google isn't confident about your location or contact info, it won't confidently show your profile to searchers. This is a primary reason why a Google Business Profile might not be showing up in search results.
The Fix: Conduct an audit of your online listings. Choose one official NAP format and meticulously update every single mention of your business online to match it. Consistency is key.
Mistake #2: Wrong or Incomplete Categories
The Problem: You've either chosen a primary category that doesn't accurately represent your main service, or you haven't selected any secondary categories.
Why It's Costly: Categories are the primary way you tell Google what your business does. If you're a "Pizzeria" but your primary category is just "Restaurant," you'll miss out on searches specifically for pizza. Failing to add "Catering" or "Italian Restaurant" as secondary categories means you won't appear for those searches either.
The Fix: Review your categories. Your primary category should be the most specific and accurate description of your core business. Then, add as many relevant secondary categories as possible to cover all the services you offer.
Mistake #3: Ignoring Your Reviews
The Problem: You aren't actively encouraging new reviews and, even worse, you're not responding to the ones you do get.
Why It's Costly: Reviews are a massive local SEO ranking factor. A steady stream of positive reviews signals trustworthiness to Google. Ignoring them—especially negative ones—tells both customers and Google that you don't value feedback. This lack of engagement is a red flag for the algorithm.
The Fix: Create a simple process to ask every happy customer for a review. More importantly, commit to responding to every single review. Thank positive reviewers and professionally address negative feedback. This engagement is a powerful signal that your business is active and customer-focused.
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Mistake #4: A Barren or Outdated Photo Section
The Problem: You have few to no photos, or the photos you do have are low-quality, unprofessional, or years out of date.
Why It's Costly: Photos are the first thing a potential customer looks at to judge the quality and legitimacy of your business. A profile with no photos looks abandoned or untrustworthy. It also misses a key opportunity to showcase your products, services, and team.
The Fix: Commit to uploading at least one new, high-quality photo every week. Showcase your storefront, interior, products, services in action, and friendly team members. A vibrant photo gallery keeps your profile fresh and engaging.
Conclusion: Turn Your Mistakes into Strengths
If you're asking "Why is my Google Business not showing up?", the answer likely lies in one of these common local SEO errors. The good news is that every mistake is a fixable opportunity. By systematically correcting your NAP, optimizing your categories, engaging with reviews, and building a strong photo gallery, you can resolve these GBP mistakes and turn your profile into a powerful tool for attracting local customers.