The Do's & Don'ts Of Google My Business (GMB)

People are still trying to trick Google My business (GMB) by using a post office box as their physical address. One way people try to deceive Google is to use the street address of the post office and their P.O. box as a regular box number. An even more daring trick is to turn the box number into a suite number. Google does not allow business to do this because a potential customer may go to the address, hoping to visit the establishment. Actual suites are acceptable. People try these tricks run the risk of having their GMB account suspended. For a local business, this would be devastating because consumers looking for a local business turn to Google.

When SEO professionals find out that their clients are trying to game the system, they have to decide what to do. A virtual office is an option, as they are indistinguishable from physical address, especially since most offer mail forwarding services. While this is still against Google's terms of service, it is better than using a P.O. box.

Google does allow a GMB account for businesses that travel to their customer's homes, such as a lawn mowing service, as long as they have a physical location and designate a service area. Online only businesses are not eligible for a GMB account. An ATM or other unmanned business is also allowed, as long as there is a phone number for people to contact the business during normal business hours.

SEO professionals need to know GMB's terms before advising their clients or setting up their GMB account. There are other ways to rank in local search results, such as creating city specific landing pages, showcasing reviews from the area or projects completed in the city.

It is always up to the SEO professional to advise their clients about the repercussions of taking shortcuts.