Answers / Getting Found on Google

Why Is My Business Not Showing Up on Google?

Most of the time Google can see your business. It just cannot confirm what you do and where, so it shows a competitor it can read more easily.

First, which problem do you have?

• Nothing shows up, even when you search your exact business name. That points to verification, a suspension or a duplicate listing. Start with those.
• Your name search works, but you never appear for your service. That is a visibility problem, not a listing problem. Keep reading.

The usual causes

1. Wrong or vague primary category. Google matches searches to categories first. A "Contractor" category will not win "roof repair".
2. Thin profile. Missing services, hours, photos or description give Google less to match.
3. Listings that disagree. An old address or phone number on a directory makes Google less sure you are who your profile says.
4. A website that does not back it up. If your site does not mention the service or the city, Google has less reason to connect you to that search.
5. Distance. Google weighs how close you are to the person searching. You can widen the area you show up in, but not remove distance completely.

How to check it yourself

Search your main service plus your city from a phone, then from a few miles away. Note who shows up in the map results each time. The businesses that keep appearing are the ones Google is most sure about. Compare their categories, review count and website to yours.

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