ReferenceBusiness Profile suspension
Special characters or legal terms in the business name
Google's guidelines allow special characters and legal terms in a profile name only with real-world proof, such as signage or an invoice showing the same name. Terms such as LLC, LTD and INC are restricted when they are not part of the name the business is known by. Extra descriptive words are not permitted either. Make the name match the signage and the documents, then correct the profile.
At a glance
- Where it shows
- The profile's name field.
- What stops
- Google's guidelines do not say what stops before a decision is made on the name.
- How serious
- Google says unnecessary information in the name is not permitted and could result in suspension.
What it means
Google's guidelines say a business name should reflect the business's real-world name. Special characters and legal terms are allowed only with real-world proof that consistently displays them as part of the name, and the page lists special characters such as % $ @ / and irrelevant legal terms such as LLC, LTD and INC.
The test is the one a customer applies. If the signage, the storefront and the invoices show the name without the suffix or the symbol, the profile should too.
What actually triggers it
A legal suffix the signage does not use
LLC, LTD or INC added to a name that appears on signs and invoices without it. Google lists these as restricted when they are irrelevant to the name.
Descriptive words added after the name
Service words, locations or keywords tacked onto the business name. Google says unnecessary information in the name is not permitted, and that it could lead to suspension.
Symbols the real signage does not show
Special punctuation or decorative marks typed into the name. Google requires real-world proof before they are allowed.
Fix it in this order
- Open the profile's name field and compare it with the sign on the building or the name on the storefront.
- Remove any legal suffix or symbol that the sign and the invoices do not show.
- Remove any keyword or service word added after the name.
- If the business does use a suffix or symbol, gather real-world proof that consistently shows it as part of the name, such as signage or invoices, and keep it ready for review.
Google's guideline asks for proof that displays the term consistently, so one document showing the suffix while the signage leaves it out does not meet it.
Often confused with
Business name with extra keywords
The keyword version of this problem. Extra keywords are added words, while this page covers legal terms and symbols. A name can have both, and both need fixing.