When someone searches for addiction treatment, they’re often in crisis mode. Every second counts—and every click matters. That’s why having a clean, accurate, and active Google Business Profile (GBP), formerly known as Google My Business (GMB), is essential for addiction treatment centers.
But what happens when your listing gets suspended or you discover duplicate Google My Business listings for your facility? Whether you’re experiencing visibility issues, lost reviews, or confusion about how to fix it, you’re not alone—and you’re in the right place.
Let’s break down what causes these problems, how they impact your facility’s online presence, and most importantly—how to fix them.
Why Do Duplicate Google My Business Listings Happen?
Managing a facility’s online footprint is challenging—especially across multiple departments, providers, or locations. It’s no surprise that many addiction centers end up with multiple Google My Business listings without even realizing it.
Common Causes of Duplicate Google Listings
- Old or unclaimed listings created before your marketing team took over
- Multiple departments (e.g., detox, inpatient, outpatient) each trying to claim their own location
- Slight differences in business info like your name, phone number, or address across platforms
- Third-party platforms or vendors that automatically created new listings without proper oversight
- Moving to a new location and accidentally verifying the new address as a separate listing
These duplicate Google listings often go unnoticed—until your local rankings suffer or reviews start appearing on the wrong profile.
Why Duplicate Google Business Listings Hurt Rehab Centers
While it might not seem like a big deal, multiple Google My Business listings for one facility can wreak havoc on your digital visibility. Google may not know which listing to prioritize, potentially lowering your map rankings and creating confusion for people searching for help.
Worse, reviews might be split between listings, making your brand appear less credible or active. Inaccurate NAP (Name, Address, Phone) data can also raise red flags with Google’s algorithm, impacting your SEO.
How to Fix a Duplicate Google Business Listing
Cleaning up duplicate Google My Business listings is worth the time—especially for addiction treatment centers that rely on local search visibility.
Step-by-Step: Removing or Merging Duplicates
- Search for all listings related to your center using various name/address combinations.
- Visit Google Maps or the Google Business Profile dashboard to confirm which listings are active or unverified.
- Use Google’s “Report a Duplicate” feature to request removal or merging.
- If you’re unable to resolve it through the dashboard, escalate the issue by contacting Google Business support directly.
Remember, if both listings are verified, you may need to request ownership or verification release before merging.
When to Contact Google Support
If your duplicate Google My Business listing isn’t resolving through the normal channels, submit a support ticket through your GBP dashboard. You’ll need documentation—like business licenses or utility bills—to prove the legitimacy of your facility and location.
Understanding Why Your Google Business Profile Was Suspended
Getting a “suspended Google My Business” message can feel like a gut punch—especially when you’re trying to support clients in crisis. But there are common causes behind these suspensions, and many are fixable.
Why Was My Google Business Profile Suspended?
Here are some frequent reasons addiction centers run into Google My Business suspension issues:
- Listing violates Google’s guidelines for healthcare or regulated services
- Use of a virtual office, P.O. box, or shared workspace as a primary address
- Multiple verified listings for the same business/location
- Mismatched business name across different web directories
- Overuse of keywords in the business name field (e.g., “Detox & Rehab Center | Phoenix | Best Rehab”)
- Suspicious activity such as rapid ownership changes or sudden spikes in edits
If your Google Business Profile is suspended, it typically means your listing was removed from public view. Your reviews, photos, and visibility disappear until the issue is resolved.
What to Do if Your Google My Business Listing Is Suspended
If you’ve received a notice that your Google My Business listing is suspended, don’t panic—just take action quickly and thoroughly.
How to Appeal a Suspension
- Log into your GBP dashboard and click “Appeal.”
- Complete the reinstatement form in detail.
- Upload documentation to verify your address and business legitimacy:
- Utility bill
- Business license
- Lease agreement
- Monitor your email for follow-up from Google (responses usually take 3–7 business days)
If your appeal is denied, you may need to correct your listing and reapply. That’s where professional help can make all the difference.
How Lead to Recovery Helps with GBP Suspensions
At Lead to Recovery, we’ve seen firsthand how these issues disrupt lead generation and admissions pipelines. That’s why our Local SEO for rehab centers include:
- GBP reinstatement support
- Duplicate listing cleanup
- Ongoing listing monitoring
- Optimization for visibility and conversions
We combine deep knowledge of Google’s evolving guidelines with addiction industry expertise—so you stay focused on recovery, not rankings.
Avoiding Future Issues with Your Google Business Profile
Prevention is always better than remediation. Once your GBP is back on track, make sure it stays that way with a few simple best practices.
Local SEO Best Practices for Rehab Listings
- Always use a real, verifiable street address—no virtual offices
- Keep your business name consistent across all directories and your website
- Use high-quality images of your facility and staff
- Encourage genuine reviews from alumni and families
- Regularly monitor for suggested edits or unauthorized changes
Work with Experts to Protect Your Visibility
Handling a suspended or duplicate Google Business Profile listings is time-consuming and frustrating. You shouldn’t have to go it alone.
Our team offers full-service digital marketing solutions tailored specifically to the behavioral health industry—from addiction treatment SEO and website enhancement to conversion rate optimization and content marketing for drug rehab centers. We know what it takes to build credibility and keep your facility ranking strong.
Strengthen Your Rehab Center’s Visibility and Trust
Your Google Business Profile isn’t just a digital listing—it’s your virtual front door. Whether you’re dealing with multiple Google My Business listings, a Google My Business suspension, or simply want to future-proof your local SEO, the right strategy can restore trust and drive admissions.
If your listing was suspended or you’re dealing with duplicates, we’re here to help.
Reach out to Lead to Recovery today to clean up your GBP and elevate your online presence.
Content written by rehab marketing expert Matthew Travers
Co-Founder
Matthew Travers is a seasoned Digital Marketing Professional with a distinguished career spanning 21 years, dedicating the last decade to the specialized fields of addiction treatment and mental health marketing. He brings a deep passion for creating powerful marketing strategies, with a distinctive proficiency in SEO and conversion rate optimization, aligning business objectives with innovative solutions to drive success.
