There’s a scam going on in the world of Google Maps/Google Business Profile.
Competitors can move Google Map pins to a new location which can negatively impact rankings.
This has been happening for several months and impacted many Google Business Profile listings.
It’s easy for scammers to make this change using the Suggest an edit feature on a Google Business Profile and then editing the map location.
When the Map pin is moved to the new location, Google thinks the business is no longer in the location it was in before, so rankings can tank.
Why is this a problem for you?
Google doesn’t notify the owners and managers of the GBP listing that the Map pin was moved.
So unless you’re specifically looking for this change, you may not realize why you’re no longer getting calls or customers. And if you’re keeping track of how your Google Business Profile ranks, you may not understand why your rankings have suddenly dropped.
If you’ve been hit by this scam, you cannot simply go into your Google Business Profile and reposition your pin to the correct location because many who do this get hit with a Google Business Profile suspension.
How to fix the issue
Right now, the best way to fix this issue is to log into Google using an email address that is not connected to any Google Business Profile.
Then, search for the business listing on Google Maps and follow these steps:
- Click the Suggest an edit button on the Google Business Profile.
- Click Change Name or other details.
- Click Edit map location.
- Drag the map until the pin is in the correct location.
- Click Save.
Remember, it’s always important to check your Google Business Profile for any changes that others make to your GBP listing.
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About the author
Sherry Bonelli is a search engine optimization (SEO) and digital marketing professional with 25+ years of experience. She is the owner of early bird digital marketing, a digital marketing agency that serves clients all over the U.S. Bonelli is a Google Business Profile Platinum Product Expert and columnist for leading marketing websites. She received Search Engine Land’s SEO Contributor of the Year Award in 2018. A recognized presenter and speaker at leading digital marketing conferences, Bonelli holds a Master’s Degree in Internet Marketing. She is also a LinkedIn Learning Instructor, Adjunct Instructor at several colleges and universities and is the host of The Marketing Plan Podcast.