Local SEO and Marketing Q&A Session June 3, 2022

Each week, Greg and Ben answer your questions on digital marketing for local businesses … local search engine optimization (SEO), Google Business Profile, social media, email marketing, websites, online advertising and more.

Updates and Questions

Missing reviews survey.
Product post bug.
Justifications are showing up on Google Maps.
WhiteSpark developes duplicate finder.
What more can I do besides optimizing websites and getting good reviews to become more successful?
Is it possible to get a listing to rank in multiple categories?
Should I set up a new GBP for a new service I’m adding to my business?
Has there been an increase in GBP suspensions recently?
Is it possible to merge a business listing and a practitioner listing?
Should I have a separate practitioner listing in addition to an office listing?
Can you run a plumbing business out of your home and show the address or does not showing the address make a difference in ranking?
Can I have multiple GBP listings at different locations with only one website?
Is there a legitimate way to suspend my own GBP profile so it no longer displays anywhere?
How do I rank in nearby cities in addition to the city in which the business is located?
Is there any way to find out what the address is on a SAB when I control the GBP?
Should I have my business name followed by my personal name on GBP when I go by my personal name on LinkedIn?
If I have a template website do I need a different one for SEO?
Would Google allow Real Estate Brokers to own the GBP of their agents?
Should I use a tracking number for a location with two businesses and only one phone number?
At an address with lots of businesses with the same category, should I switch to a home address and SAB?
What should I do if I don’t get confirmation emails of redressal forms when reporting a spam listing?
How do I delete departments in GBP if I have no access?
When updating my listings and key citations after moving locations from a local agency, should I use my home address?
What are the effects if the business changed its name but everything else remains the same?
If a practitioner has a GBP and the practice/business also has a GBP, where would you suggest users place their reviews?
What should I do if GBP keeps directing me to claim a duplicate one?
What should I do if my business doesn’t show up when searching the business name, but does with a generic one?
What should I focus on in my homepage when I have several categories I can rank for?
Does a permanently closed business eventually disappear from the listings?