If you’ve created a Google local page, but are not showing up on the map, there are a few common mistakes that may have been made along the way. Read through these suggestions to see if you’ve made any of these mistakes.
1. You’ve created a Google plus profile or brand page instead of a local business.
Local Google+ pages are used by local businesses with a physical storefront (or that serve customers at their location). Only local pages with a valid street address are eligible to appear on Google Maps.
2. Your business isn’t verified.
Google verifies every local business listing by sending the business owner a PIN number via text, voice or postal mail. The owner then must enter the PIN into the listing before it goes live. Determine whether your Google Places listing is verified by visiting google.com/local. If you see a “Verify Ownership” link, click the link and follow the instructions. The listing then shows up on Google Maps and begins appearing in organic search results.
3. You recently added or edited your business information.
When you make changes to your business information, Google has to index your listing again. These changes may take up to 3 days to appear. You should still be able to find your business after making edits by searching for it by name on Google Maps.
4. Your business doesn’t follow the Google guidelines.
Google recommends filling out your Google Places listing as completely and accurately as possible. Do not “keyword stuff” your listing, meaning refrain from ascribing unrelated keywords to your business in an attempt to influence the search results. The more complete your information is, the less likely Google is to pull your Google Places entry from the system.
