Google Business Profile (GBP) Issues
How to check Google Business Profile ownership
To check the ownership or verification status of your Google Business Profile, you can use one of the methods below.
Method 1: Search on Google or Google Maps
- Open Google Search or Google Maps
- Search for your exact business name
- Look at the business profile panel
If you see “You manage this business profile,” you already have access.
If you see “Own this business?” or “Claim this business,” the profile is unclaimed.
Method 2: Check in Business Profile Manager
- Go to the Google Business Profile Manager
- Log into the Google account you believe manages the business
- Look for the business under your profiles
If the business does not appear, it may be owned or verified under a different account.
Method 3: Attempt to claim the business
If you attempt to claim the business and Google indicates it is already verified, this means:
- Another account currently owns the profile
- You may need to request access or resolve ownership
What should I do if my Google Business Profile is suspended?
If your Google Business Profile (GBP) is suspended, Google requires the business owner to submit an appeal directly.
You can submit an appeal here: https://support.google.com/business/answer/4569145
Once the appeal is submitted:
- Google will review your information
- Resolution timelines vary and are controlled entirely by Google
- Tekmetric Digital Ads can help guide you on best practices, but final approval always comes from Google
What to do if there is a GBP issue
If you suspect a Google Business Profile issue, the most common next steps include:
- Verifying the profile if it is unverified
- Resolving duplicate listings
- Confirming correct ownership and access
- Optimizing profile information and reviews
Our team can help guide you through identifying the issue and the next steps.
Can you help me change photos on my Google Business Profile?
Short answer: No.
At this time, we cannot change photos on your Google Business Profile, even with manager access.
What we can help manage:
- Business description
- Business hours
- Reviews and review responses
Photo uploads and removals are controlled by Google, the business owner, and customers who upload photos publicly.
Why am I not seeing local actions (calls, directions, visits)?
If local actions are missing or very low, it is often related to a Google Business Profile (GBP) issue, not the ads themselves.
Common reasons include:
- The Google Business Profile is not verified
- There are duplicate business profiles
- Access needs to be revoked or corrected
- The profile needs optimization due to low activity or limited information
When this happens, ads may still run, but Google has less information to connect customer actions.
Ad Visibility, Call Behavior & Performance
Why don’t I see my ads when I search?
This is normal.
Google does not consistently show ads to the advertiser. Ads are shown based on:
- Location
- Relevance
- Search intent
- Budget availability
Performance should be evaluated using reporting metrics, not personal searches.
Why Don’t I See My Ads as “Sponsored” in Google?
This is very common and does not mean your ads are not running.
Google does not show ads consistently to the advertiser themselves. Ads are prioritized for users who are most likely to take action, based on relevance, location, search intent, and timing.
You may not see your ad marked as “Sponsored” for several reasons:
- You may not be part of the target audience Google is prioritizing
- Your daily budget may already be spent at the time of your search
- Ad rank can fluctuate based on competition and timing
- Your location, search history, or frequent searching can prevent ads from appearing
- Google rotates ad visibility to test performance and optimize results
Because of this, it’s normal for advertisers to rarely, or never, see their own ads.
Performance should always be evaluated using reporting metrics such as impressions, clicks, calls, direction requests, and store visits rather than personal searches.
Why do I see a lot of phone calls listed as 0 seconds?
This is very common and not a cause for concern.
0-second calls usually happen when:
- A caller hangs up before the business answers
- A call is misdialed
- Someone taps the call button accidentally
- The caller decides not to proceed
These calls are still tracked by Google as call attempts, even if no conversation takes place.
Why am I getting calls for competitors?
This can happen for a couple of reasons. Your ads may show up when people search for competitor names, and sometimes customers also confuse businesses or click the first option they see without paying close attention.
It might seem like the wrong kind of call, but it is actually an opportunity. You already have someone on the phone who is ready to take action. You can explain what you offer, match a deal, or give them a reason to choose you instead.
A lot of customers have not fully decided yet. They are just looking for the best option nearby. This gives you a chance to turn that call into a new customer.
Why are my ads not showing or not running?
There are a few common reasons this can happen:
- Your Google Business Profile needs to be reconnected
- Your profile is not verified
- There is a billing issue
- Your campaign is still in the setup or learning phase
What to do:
- Reconnect your Google Business Profile if prompted
- Confirm your profile is verified
- Check your billing status
- Allow time for the campaign to fully launch
- If the issue continues, reach out to support for assistance
Why is my campaign not improving yet?
Performance improves over time as the system learns.
Typical timeline:
- First 10 to 12 days: Learning phase
- First month: Early signals and directional results
- 6 to 8 weeks: More stable and optimized performance
What to do:
- Avoid judging performance too early
- Allow optimization to continue
- Focus on trends rather than daily changes
What if my performance is still low after a few weeks?
If performance remains low after the learning phase, it is usually related to one or more of the following:
- Low review count or rating
- Limited search demand in your area
- Strong competition nearby
- Google Business Profile optimization gaps
What to do:
- Continue building reviews (15+ recommended for stronger results)
- Ensure your profile is complete and up to date
- Allow more time for optimization to compound
- Contact support for a deeper review of your account
Should I bid on my own name or competitors in Google Ads?
It depends. Both can be valuable when used the right way.
Bidding on your own name helps protect your traffic, especially if competitors are showing up above you. It also lets you control what customers see first, like calls, directions, or promotions.
Bidding on competitors can help you show up when customers are actively comparing options. On Google Maps especially, people are often just looking for a place to go nearby, so they are more open to choosing a different business.
The key is not just bidding on these terms, but using them strategically. With Tekmetric Digital Ads, we focus on showing up in high-intent moments on Maps, where customers are more likely to take action.
Should I add my own name or competitors to negative keywords?
Usually, no.
Adding your own name as a negative keyword can block you from showing up when people are already searching for your business, which is one of the highest-intent moments.
For competitors, it is similar. When people search for competitor names, it is not just about bidding on those exact names. Those searches also help train and inform the AI on when your business should show up, especially during high-intent, decision-making moments.
The goal is to use that data to improve targeting over time, not limit when you can appear.