It sounds like a simple-enough task to update your business’s phone number in Google Business Manager. However, Google may decline your updates for various reasons, making it difficult to keep your profile up to date.
If you’re scratching your head, lamenting, “Google Business Manager keeps declining my phone number change,” this article is for you. We’ll address why Google may have rejected your update and what you can do to remedy the matter.
What Is Google Business Manager?
Google Business Manager is your home for a wide range of Google apps and services. When you connect certain Google apps to Business Manager, such as Google Ads and your Google Business Profile (GBP), you can promote and manage your business in various ways. These apps keep your campaigns consistent and give your business a uniform online presence across the web.
Your GBP is particularly important for optimizing for local search, including Google Local Pack results, which prominently display local businesses on the search engine results pages. Claim your GBP, and you can add your name, address, phone number, and other details to make your business more visible online.
Additionally, you can post updates and photos, collect and respond to customer reviews, and share unique attributes of your business. For example, you can let customers know whether you offer free Wi-Fi or you’re a woman-owned business.
Why Does Google Decline Page Information Updates?
The more complete and accurate your GBP listing is, the easier it is for customers to find you and decide whether to visit your establishment. So when you submit edits to your business's listing and Google rejects them, it can be frustrating to figure out what may have gone wrong.
When you make edits to your GBP, Google may review them to see if they follow the platform’s guidelines. Those guidelines include a requirement to provide a phone number or a website associated with your business’s location.
To verify your phone number, Google may look for citations online that match the information you’ve submitted. If Google has trouble finding such citations, the platform may deny the edits or take longer to approve them.
Steps to Take Before Requesting Updates
Before requesting any changes to your Google listing, verify the accuracy of your business's information across the web. Updating your website and online directories with the most current business information can help legitimize your online listings in Google’s eyes as it reviews your changes.
In other words, if your website lists one phone number and your GBP lists another, it can make your business seem less trustworthy and slow down Google’s review process.
On the other hand, posting current, consistent contact information can help speed the process along, proving to Google that your business is legitimate and ready to serve customers. The quicker Google approves your changes, the more easily you can distribute these updates to your customer base.
Verifying your business listing can also help accelerate approvals. When adding or claiming a new GBP, you’ll need to verify it via email, phone, text, or video. Google may take up to five business days to review verifications. After you complete the verification process, it can take a few weeks for your updated business information to appear on Google’s various properties.
What to Do If Google Denies Your Updates
If you’ve followed the tips above and you’re still struggling to get your updates approved, there are a few additional steps you can take. Google offers the following helpful hints for complying with its guidelines:
- Check that the phone number you’ve provided connects to your individual business location.
- Opt for a local phone number instead of a call-center helpline. Consider signing up for a virtual phone number with a local area code if you don’t have a physical location with a phone number attached to it.
- Avoid providing phone numbers or URLs that redirect users to landing pages, other phone numbers, or social media profiles.
- Ensure that the phone number is under the control of you, as the business owner, or a designated representative of your company.
Note that you may use additional phone numbers on your GBP and other local listings, such as a toll-free number. However, you shouldn't use premium-rate phone numbers, which can be costly for callers.
How Can Optimize Help?
Managing your business's online listings can be overwhelming on top of everything else you need to do as a business owner. At Optimize Digital Marketing, we can eliminate the burden of updating your business’s information on all of the major listing platforms.
With packages available for businesses of all sizes, we have a wide range of solutions to help businesses manage their online listings. With our help, you can keep your profiles up to date with your most recent business information and never miss a chance to connect with your local customers.
To learn more and get started, schedule your free consultation today!
