Why your restaurant isn't showing on Google Maps

There are two different problems: the listing doesn't exist or is suspended, or it exists but ranks below competitors. Find out which one you have first.

1. Check the listing exists

• Search your exact name on Google Maps from a phone, logged out.
• If nothing shows, it may never have been created, be unverified, or be suspended (check emails from Google Business Profile).
• If there are duplicates, request a merge or removal via "Suggest an edit".

2. If it exists but ranks low

Google says local results depend on relevance, distance and prominence (how well known the business is, including reviews). You can't change distance, but you can work on the other two:

1. Use the most specific primary category ("Tapas restaurant", not just "Restaurant") plus 2-4 accurate secondary ones.
2. Complete opening hours, including holidays and seasonal closures. Wrong hours produce 1★ reviews from people who found the door closed.
3. Add menu and booking links. Google shows "Menu" and "Reserve" buttons when you fill them in.
4. Write a 600-750 character description: cuisine, signature dishes, neighbourhood, and which languages your menu is in.
5. Reply to reviews, especially 1-3★ ones, in the guest's language, within 48 hours.

3. Mistakes that hurt

• Stuffing keywords into the business name: it breaks Google's guidelines and can get you suspended.
• Buying reviews or offering discounts for 5★ reviews: banned by Google and by EU consumer law.
• Outdated hours or a phone nobody answers.

More guides

• Google Business Profile audit for restaurants
• How to respond to negative restaurant reviews
• How to get more Google reviews (legally)
• How restaurants rank on Google Maps

Independent guide by HostStack. Not affiliated with Google. General information; no ranking is guaranteed.