Two Google My Business accounts for two companies at same address

[Donsimong]

I have a client (flat roofing) with two registered businesses both of which are based from the same address, upon trying to create a new GMB account for the second business, it was immediately suspended by Google. So somewhat unsurprisingly one address one business, but is there a way around this?

[TimHolmes]

Where I work we currently have two profiles for the same address and we have not been penalised. Have you made sure the account content is totally different and also verified the listings?

[Donsimong]

Thanks Tim thats good too know, from what I had seen so far it seemed to be assumed that Google will not allow two GMBs at the same address, when my client set up the second listing, it was instantly suspended by Google, its god to know that its possible, nearly everything Id read had said Google is set against it.

[TimHolmes]

Could it be related to this?

https://www.seroundtable.com/rumors-shortnames-google-my-business-suspensions-27861.html

[Donsimong]

No Im pretty sure not, interesting though I hadn"t even noticed the GMB shortname yet...

[MiriamEllis]

Hi Simon!

Some questions:

1. Are both of the businesses that the client is running in the same business category? Are they both roofers? If not, what is the model of the second business?

2. Are they both using the same phone number, or unique phone numbers?

3. Do they have separate websites or the same website?

4. Are they legally registered as unique businesses with county/state/fed credentials?

5. Did Google provide any messaging regarding the suspension?

[Donsimong]

1. yes both roof related one is flat roofing one is thatched roofs, but very similar.
2. same phone number I believe
3. separate websites...
4. both legitimate separate registered businesses
5. just a suspension, but have asked for a review.

[MiriamEllis]

Good morning, Simon!

Thank you so much for providing these key details. So, on the face of it, yes, Google has likely acted with suspension because the two listings share the same general category, address and phone number. They likely believe this is a single business attempting to create spam listings for its different services, which is not allowed. In other words, they think your client is one business which offers both flat and thatched roofs, and while the roofing types are quite different, the business has signaled to Google that it really may just be one entity offering a variety of roofing.

The only surefire way to resolve this would be for the company to operate out of separate staffed offices with separate phone numbers, as well as separate websites. I would not be confident that you can convince Google to reconsider the suspension without this. This is actually a very interesting case, because roof thatching IS such a specialty business. Google could well have let this slide had the phone numbers been unique, but, given that the business didn't take this approach, they are in a pickle now.

So, your path at this point, as a marketer, is to see if the business has the resources to open a second, totally distinct business. If so, then you can start over again with the citation building process for them. If not, you may be better off telling them to combine the two websites into one, representing a single business with multiple roofing styles represented by a single Google Business Profile with multiple categories and good service menus.

[Donsimong]

Thanks Miriam, amazing answer, yes I tend to agree. But i think yours is the definitive answer here. Thanks very much for taking the time to help.

[MiriamEllis]

My pleasure, Simon! So glad I could help.