When Google Suspends Your Law Firm’s Business Profile: A Plain-English Survival Guide

A Quick Reality Check

You’ve hung your shingle, met your deadlines, and built a practice with your name on the door. Maybe you’ve even earned a few five-star reviews and show up on Google Maps for the kinds of cases you care about most.

But then — out of nowhere — your firm vanishes from Google.

It’s not just your listing that disappears. It’s your visibility. Your reviews. Your credibility. You search your firm’s name and… nothing. No pin. No sidebar. No profile.

It feels like the floor has dropped out from beneath your business. Phones go quiet. Leads dry up. You might even wonder if you’ve been hacked, flagged, or reported by a competitor.

If this sounds like a nightmare, you’re not alone — and you’re not crazy. But you do need to act fast. Let’s walk through why this happens, what Google actually wants from you, and how to get your listing back up — stronger than before.

What’s a Google Business Profile (GBP)?

Think of your GBP as your digital storefront — it’s the snapshot people see when they Google your firm on Search or Maps.

It shows your hours, contact info, reviews, address, and photos. For many potential clients, this is your first impression — and often your last chance to earn a call.

Most people won’t click through to your website. They’ll make a judgment based entirely on what they see on Google. If your GBP is solid and verified, they’ll call. If it’s gone or suspended, they’ll assume the worst.

So when your profile disappears? That’s not just inconvenient. It’s like someone padlocked your front door, turned off your sign, and erased your name from the building.

Why Does Google Suspend Profiles?

The frustrating truth: Google suspensions aren’t always logical. There’s no friendly warning email. No strike system. No “click here to fix it.”

But in most cases, you didn’t do anything unethical — you just tripped an algorithmic wire.

Here are the most common triggers:

1. Name Inconsistencies

Your signage says “Smith & Associates,” but your business license says “The Law Office of J. Smith PLLC.” To you, that’s normal branding. To Google’s system, it’s a mismatch — and potential fraud.

2. Stale or Inactive Listings

If your profile hasn’t been updated with fresh photos, posts, or reviews in a while, it can look abandoned or fake. That makes you a suspension candidate.

3. Shared, Virtual, or Coworking Addresses

Even if you’re a legitimate firm, if you list an address shared by other businesses — like a Regus suite, WeWork desk, or mail drop — Google may flag it as a non-real location.

4. Too Many Edits Too Quickly

Made a bunch of rapid-fire changes to your profile name, category, phone number, or location? That can signal manipulation — even if you were just trying to fix typos.

Step One: Gather Your Proof

Before we appeal the suspension, we need to show Google that you’re real, legal, and operating from a legitimate location.

Don’t worry — this isn’t a courtroom. But it is evidence-based. Think of this as building a file that says: “We’re real. Here’s proof.”

Collect at least 2–3 of the following documents:

• A recent utility bill showing your firm’s name and address

• A signed lease or property rental agreement

• Your bar license or business license

• Articles of incorporation

• Proof of insurance

• A business bank statement (you can redact financial details)

• Any official mail from a government agency sent to your location

All documents should be scanned clearly or photographed, and names and addresses must match your GBP profile exactly.

Bonus points if you include photos of your office signage, building, waiting area, or even a team member working onsite.

Step Two: Tell Google Your Side — Politely

Once you’ve got your documents ready, it’s time to file a reinstatement request.

Here’s the key: Google isn’t a person. It’s a process. There’s no one to yell at. No help desk with empathy. Just a form, a script, and a queue.

When you submit your appeal, be clear, brief, and professional. Think like a lawyer, but write like a human.

Explain:

• Who you are

• What your business does

• Why your business name/address might look inconsistent

• That you’re a legitimate local firm and would appreciate their help

Attach your documents. Check your spelling. Avoid angry language. Then hit “Submit.”

Now… wait. It may take 3–7 business days (sometimes longer). In the meantime, don’t submit multiple appeals or make changes to your profile — that can reset the clock or get your case flagged.

Step Three: Make Your Profile Look “Lived-In”

Once your profile is reinstated (or you’ve launched a new one), treat it like a living space — not a static directory listing.

Google rewards profiles that look active and maintained. You don’t need to go overboard, but here’s what makes a difference:

• Add recent photos of your office, signage, and staff

• Post occasional updates — even quick blurbs about awards, speaking engagements, or community events

• Ask clients for honest reviews, and respond to each one with a short, professional note

• Keep your hours, phone number, and categories accurate at all times

Think of this as evidence of life. If your profile looks vibrant and real, it’s less likely to be suspended again — and more likely to show up in front of prospective clients who need exactly what you offer.

Need Help? You're Not Alone.

Law firms get suspended all the time — not because they’ve done anything wrong, but because Google runs on automation and overcorrection.

If you’re stuck, overwhelmed, or just don’t want to deal with the red tape, I can help.

I’ve reinstated dozens of law firm profiles, walked attorneys through compliance steps, and optimized GBP listings to help drive real, local leads — not just rankings.

Reach out if you want a pro to handle the process for you. Otherwise, use this guide to go step-by-step, and remember: it’s fixable.

You didn’t vanish. You just got caught in the gears. Let’s get you back in the spotlight.