My restaurant isn’t showing up on Google Maps. How do I fix this?

My restaurant isn’t showing up on Google Maps. How do I fix this?

 

 

Last Updated: November 3rd, 2025.

A surprising fact: over 30% of all mobile search results link to map listings. Many restaurant owners still struggle to get their business visible on Google Maps.

Google remains the go-to platform for local business searches. Almost 9 out of 10 people used it to research local businesses in 2022. Your restaurant’s success depends on this visibility. Picture having an invisible storefront in the digital world – that’s exactly what happens when potential customers can’t find you during their search.

Google processes more than 105,000 searches every second. Your restaurant’s absence from Google Maps means you miss countless potential customers. The good news? We can help you identify and fix several reasons why your restaurant isn’t appearing in search results.

“Why is my business not showing up on Google Maps?” This question frustrates many restaurant owners. You’re not alone in this challenge. The right approach can solve these problems and boost your visibility. Our team at TerraMyth has helped many businesses enhance their online presence.

This piece covers the most common reasons your restaurant stays hidden on Google Maps. You’ll learn practical steps to fix each issue. Let’s make your restaurant discoverable again where customers can find you!

1. Check if Your Restaurant is Verified on Google

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Your restaurant’s invisibility on Google Maps might have a simple fix – verification. Google search results won’t show unverified businesses, whatever your profile looks like. Google’s data shows that verified businesses with complete listings get 5× more views on Google Maps and are 2.7× more likely to get customer calls or website visits ^[1].

How to verify your Google Business Profile

The verification status check is simple. Log into your Google Business Profile dashboard. A blue checkmark or “Verified” status means you’re good to go. But if you see a “Get verified” button, your business needs verification ^[2].

Google gives you several ways to verify your restaurant based on your business type, location, and existing information:

Postcard Verification: New businesses usually start here. Google sends a postcard with a unique verification code to your restaurant’s address. The postcard usually takes 5-14 days to arrive. Just log back into your Google Business Profile and type in the 5-digit code ^[3].

Phone or SMS Verification: This quick option lets Google call or text your business phone with a verification code. Not every business can use this method. Make sure a real person answers the phone since automated systems won’t work with the code ^[4].

Email Verification: Some restaurants can verify through email. If this works for you, pick this option and follow the email instructions ^[4].

Video Verification: This popular method needs an unedited 30-second video that shows your restaurant location, business signs, and proof you run the place. Restaurants need to show ^[5]:

• Street signs and landmarks near you
• Your restaurant’s front with clear signs
• Management proof like opening registers, kitchen access, or POS system use

Live Video Call: Some restaurants can use live video verification, which many people call the most reliable way ^[6].

Google takes up to 5 business days to review your verification, though some profiles get verified right away ^[4].

Common verification issues and how to resolve them

Restaurants don’t deal very well with verification problems that keep them off Google Maps. Here are the most common problems and fixes:

Verification Video Rejection: Failed videos get a “Review issues” notice. This happens if you miss showing your restaurant’s name, the area around it, or proof you’re in charge. Check what Google points out and make a new video that fixes these issues ^[4].

Postcard Never Arrives: Give it 14 days before asking for another one. Double-check your address details, including suite numbers. New postcards cancel old codes ^[3].

Verification Code Doesn’t Work: These codes last 30 days. Expired codes mean starting over ^[3].

Business Information Inconsistency: Your restaurant’s name, address, and phone number should match everywhere online. Small differences can stop verification ^[7].

Using P.O. Boxes or Virtual Offices: Google needs real physical locations. P.O. boxes or virtual offices won’t work ^[1].

Profile Gets Suspended After Verification: This usually means you broke Google’s rules, like stuffing keywords in your business name or adding misleading details ^[3].

TerraMyth specialists are a great way to get help with stubborn verification issues. We’ve helped hundreds of restaurants fix complex Google Maps problems and can guide you through verification to get your restaurant showing up in local searches.

2. Fix Incorrect or Incomplete Business Information

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Your restaurant might not show up on Google Maps because of wrong or incomplete business details. Even small mistakes can substantially affect how visible you are in local searches. Let’s get into how you can fix these problems step by step.

Ensure accurate name, address, and phone number (NAP)

NAP consistency is the foundation of local search visibility. Google looks at your restaurant’s name, address, and phone number on your website, social media profiles, and online directories to decide how legitimate you are and where you rank in searches.

Your restaurant’s NAP must be exactly the same everywhere online to show up properly on Google Maps. Here’s what matters most:

• Your business name should match what customers see on your storefront, website, and other materials
• The address needs to be spot-on, including suite numbers or building details
• Use a local phone number that rings directly to your restaurant instead of a call center

Mixed-up NAP details confuse Google and your potential customers. Studies show 80% of consumers lose trust in local businesses when they spot wrong or conflicting contact information online ^[8]. Google won’t try to figure out which version is right—it simply favors businesses with matching information across platforms ^[8].

Update business hours and website links

The hours listed on your Google Business Profile really matter. Wrong hours don’t just frustrate customers—they hurt your reputation and make you harder to find in local searches.

Here’s how to update your hours:

1. Log into your Google Business Profile
2. Click “Edit profile”
3. Select “Hours” and then “Edit”
4. Set your regular hours for each day of the week
5. Click “Save” to apply changes

Don’t forget to add special hours for holidays, seasonal changes, or temporary closures. On top of that, if you close between lunch and dinner service, create two separate time slots for those days ^[9].

Your website links should:

• Take visitors straight to your restaurant’s website
• Be under your control
• Work properly without redirects

Avoid using P.O. boxes or virtual offices

Google strictly prohibits using P.O. boxes or virtual offices as your business address on Google Maps. This rule exists because Google aims to show actual physical locations where customers can visit your restaurant.

Your restaurant must have:

• A real physical location with visible signage
• Staff working during listed business hours
• The space to serve customers at that location

Using virtual offices, P.O. boxes, or mail-only addresses will get your profile suspended or block verification ^[10]. Restaurants in co-working spaces need clear signage, must welcome customers at that spot during business hours, and keep staff on-site ^[11].

Google might flag or suspend your profile if it finds out your listed address isn’t a real operating location, which makes your restaurant disappear from Google Maps ^[10].

TerraMyth has helped many restaurants solve their Google Maps visibility issues caused by incorrect business information. Our team can run a detailed audit of your online presence to spot and fix NAP inconsistencies everywhere. Schedule a virtual consultation with our specialists to boost your restaurant’s web presence and make sure hungry nearby customers can find you.

3. Optimize Your Google Business Profile for Visibility

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Your restaurant needs accurate information and verification before you can start optimizing your Google Business Profile to gain visibility. A complete profile gets 7× more clicks and views than incomplete listings ^[12]. Let’s look at what you need to do to boost your profile’s performance.

Choose the right primary and secondary categories

Google needs the right categories to rank your restaurant in relevant searches. Your primary category ranks as the most significant local ranking factor ^[13]. You should pick one that matches your main business type exactly. To cite an instance, a pizza restaurant should use “Pizza Restaurant” instead of just “Restaurant” ^[14].

You can add up to 9 secondary categories that show specific parts of your business ^[15]. A fish and chips restaurant might use “Fish and Chips Takeaway” and “Seafood Restaurant” as secondary categories ^[15].

Skip adding categories that aren’t relevant just to hit the maximum number. Google suggests you avoid broad categories when specific ones already cover them ^[15].

Add high-quality photos of your restaurant

Photos make businesses get substantially more engagement than those without them ^[16]. Google wants you to add at least three photos for each category:

• Exterior shots from different angles and times of day
• Interior views that show your ambiance and decor
• Food and drink shots of your popular menu items
• Team pictures that show your establishment’s personal side ^[17]

Your photos need to meet Google’s technical requirements: JPG or PNG format, 10KB to 5MB in size, and 720px by 720px resolution works best ^[18]. The images should be clear, well-lit, and show your restaurant’s true appearance without heavy filters ^[18].

Write a compelling business description

You have 750 characters to speak directly to potential customers in your business description ^[3]. The first 250 characters matter most since they show up in search results ^[3].

Start by highlighting what makes your restaurant unique. Then weave in relevant keywords about your location or specialties naturally ^[19].

Google recommends including:

• Your offerings
• Your unique features
• Your business story
• Extra details customers should know ^[5]

List your menu and services clearly

People searching for food online prefer restaurants that show their menus upfront ^[20]. Adding your menu to your Google Business Profile can help turn more searchers into customers.

Log into your Business Profile, click “Menu,” and start adding or editing items ^[21]. You can build detailed menus with sections, dishes, descriptions, and prices ^[22]. On top of that, you can now upload multiple PDF menus without replacing existing ones, which helps manage separate menus for different meals or services ^[23].

Note that each improvement makes your restaurant easier to find on Google Maps. Our TerraMyth specialists can help through a virtual consultation if you still need help improving your restaurant’s online presence after making these changes.

4. Address Common Visibility Issues on Google Maps

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Your restaurant might face technical visibility issues on Google Maps even with a verified and optimized profile. These hidden factors explain why businesses vanish from search results, but you can fix them once you understand what’s happening.

Your restaurant is too far from the searcher

Location plays a crucial role in Google Maps visibility. Users who search “restaurants near me” or similar phrases without specifying a location will see establishments closest to where they are. Your restaurant might not show up because other options are closer to the person searching.

Here’s how to work around this:

• Optimize for both location-specific searches (“restaurants in Downtown Chicago”) and general queries
• Add neighborhood and district names to your business description
• Create location-specific content on your website that mentions nearby landmarks

Note that a fully optimized profile might not appear in search results if your restaurant sits far from the person searching, unless they add your location to their search.

You share an address with other businesses

Restaurants in shared buildings, food courts, or business complexes don’t deal very well with visibility. Google’s algorithm has trouble telling apart multiple businesses at similar addresses.

Restaurants with shared addresses should:

• Have distinct permanent signage that people can see from outside
• Use specific unit numbers or suites in the address format
• Show photos of the unique entrance or storefront
• Avoid using P.O. Boxes or virtual offices

Google needs businesses at shared locations to have “clearly visible differences in signage” to keep separate listings ^[5]. The business with the highest relevance might be the only one that shows up in results otherwise.

Your listing was edited or flagged by others

Anyone can suggest edits to your business listing on Google, including competitors. These unauthorized changes range from small tweaks to big alterations that affect how visible you are ^[2].

Watch out for unauthorized edits like:

• Changes to business hours
• Updates to your business name or category
• Changes to contact information or physical location
• Modifications to business features (takeout, wheelchair access, etc.)

Google doesn’t always tell business owners before making these changes ^[24]. You should check your Google Business Profile dashboard weekly to spot orange-highlighted information that shows recent changes ^[24]. You can stop inappropriate edits, but you need to act fast since Google might automatically apply changes if you wait too long.

Your business is filtered due to duplicate categories

The local filter on Google sometimes hides businesses that look too much like others already ranking for specific searches. This happens most often when:

• Several restaurants with similar primary categories operate close together
• Your category matches another business that ranks higher
• You run multiple locations of the same restaurant in a small area

Filtering works differently for each search ^[25]. Your restaurant might show up in “seafood restaurant” searches but disappear for “fine dining” queries if a nearby place ranks better for that term.

These steps help avoid category filtering:

• Pick unique secondary categories that set your restaurant apart
• Build relevance for specific dishes or cuisine types
• Create content that showcases your unique offerings

TerraMyth specialists can help with ongoing visibility issues on Google Maps. They’ll look at your specific situation and create trailblazing solutions to boost your restaurant’s web presence.

5. Improve Your Restaurant’s Online Reputation

Your restaurant’s online reputation plays a vital role in its Google Maps visibility. Google’s algorithm looks at review quality, quantity, and how you interact with customers. These factors determine where your business appears in search results.

Encourage real customer reviews

Reviews act as powerful trust signals for potential customers and Google’s algorithms. Restaurants that have many positive reviews rank higher in search results. They also get 18% more interactions than businesses with few or no reviews.

Here are ethical ways to get more reviews:

• Create simple table cards with QR codes linking directly to your review page
• Train staff to politely mention reviews at the end of positive dining experiences
• Send follow-up emails 24-48 hours after service to ask for feedback
• Set up a loyalty program that naturally encourages reviews

The best time to ask for reviews is right after customers have a positive experience.

Respond to both positive and negative reviews

Active response to reviews shows Google your business cares about customer feedback. Restaurants that respond to at least 25% of their reviews see 35% more profile views than those who don’t respond at all.

When handling positive reviews: Make your response personal by using the reviewer’s name and mentioning specific details they talked about. This shows authenticity and helps build a connection with your audience.

For negative reviews: React quickly (within 24 hours if possible), say sorry sincerely, explain what you’ve done to fix the issue, and offer to talk privately. Don’t argue or get defensive – it will only hurt your reputation more.

Avoid fake or spammy reviews

Google has become better at spotting fake reviews. Artificial reviews, whether bought or created through multiple accounts, go against Google’s rules. This can lead to serious consequences, including account suspension.

Here are red flags that might trigger Google’s fake review detection:

• Multiple reviews from the same IP address
• Reviews with keyword stuffing or unnatural language
• Quick spikes in positive reviews over short periods
• Reviews from accounts that look suspicious or have no history

If you need help managing your reputation on Google Maps, our TerraMyth specialists can create a custom review strategy for your restaurant through a virtual consultation.

6. Maintain and Monitor Your Listing Regularly

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Your restaurant’s success on Google Maps needs ongoing work even after showing up in search results. Regular updates will keep your listing visible as algorithms change over time.

Post updates and promotions using Google Posts

Your Google Business Profile needs weekly posts to stay active and catch potential diners’ attention. These updates show up in your profile’s “From the owner” section and boost your local search rankings ^[26]. You can create three types of posts:

• Updates: Share restaurant news with photos and action buttons
• Offers: Add special deals with automatic “View Offer” buttons
• Events: Feature upcoming occasions with dates and times

Restaurants that post weekly see their website traffic increase by 35% compared to inactive profiles ^[27].

Track performance with Google Insights

Google Business Profile Performance (formerly Insights) gives you vital data about your listing’s success. You can learn about:

• Total profile interactions (calls, directions, website clicks)
• How customers find your business (platform and device)
• Search terms that make your listing appear
• How your photos perform compared to other restaurants ^[28]

These numbers help you spot areas to improve and measure how well your changes work.

Stay alert for algorithm changes or suspensions

Google updates its algorithms thousands of times yearly, which can change your Maps visibility without notice ^[29]. Your competitors or customers can suggest edits to your listing too ^[30]. You should protect your visibility by:

• Checking your profile weekly for unexpected changes
• Following industry experts like Danny Sullivan and Barry Schwartz for algorithm updates
• Setting up Google Alerts for “Google algorithm update” notifications

Schedule a virtual consultation to improve your web presence

Professional help can quickly solve persistent visibility issues. Schedule a consultation with TerraMyth to talk about improving your business’s online presence. Our experts know how to fix complex Google Maps problems with custom strategies for your restaurant’s specific needs ^[4].

Conclusion

Your restaurant’s success depends on Google Maps visibility in today’s digital world. A business becomes invisible to thousands of potential diners without proper representation on this platform. This piece identifies why your restaurant might not show up on Google Maps and provides steps to solve each problem.

The first step is to verify your Google Business Profile. Your business information must stay accurate and complete across online platforms. Profile optimization affects visibility a lot. The right categories, high-quality photos, and compelling descriptions will boost your chances to appear in relevant searches.

Restaurants often face technical visibility issues, especially those that share addresses or sit far from searchers. Your ranking position depends on your online reputation, which makes customer reviews and responses vital. Your listing needs regular monitoring to prevent sudden disappearances from search results.

Visibility on Google Maps doesn’t happen by chance. Success comes from consistent effort and attention to detail. Restaurant owners often find these technical aspects overwhelming while running their business. TerraMyth specialists know these challenges and offer customized guidance through virtual consultations to boost your restaurant’s web presence.

Hungry customers searching nearby should find your restaurant easily. These strategies will help your visibility and customer traffic grow steadily when you implement them. Your restaurant will appear prominently on Google Maps where potential customers search actively once you solve these issues.

Key Takeaways

If your restaurant isn’t appearing on Google Maps, these essential steps will restore your visibility and help hungry customers find you:

• Verify your Google Business Profile immediately – Unverified businesses remain completely invisible regardless of profile completeness, but verified listings receive 5× more views.

• Ensure NAP consistency across all platforms – Your restaurant’s name, address, and phone number must match exactly everywhere online, as 80% of consumers lose trust with inconsistent information.

• Optimize with the right categories and quality photos – Choose precise primary categories and add high-quality images of your exterior, interior, and food to receive 7× more clicks than incomplete listings.

• Monitor and maintain your listing weekly – Check for unauthorized edits, respond to reviews promptly, and post regular updates to prevent sudden disappearances from search results.

• Address technical visibility issues proactively – Problems like shared addresses, proximity filtering, or duplicate categories can hide your restaurant even with perfect optimization.

Remember that Google Maps visibility requires consistent effort and attention to detail. Many technical issues can be complex to resolve alone, which is why professional guidance often provides the fastest path to getting your restaurant back on the map where customers are actively searching.

FAQs

Q1. Why isn’t my restaurant appearing on Google Maps? Your restaurant may not be showing up due to an unverified Google Business Profile, incorrect business information, or insufficient profile optimization. Ensure your profile is verified, your business details are accurate and consistent across all platforms, and you’ve fully optimized your listing with the right categories, high-quality photos, and a compelling description.

Q2. How can I make my restaurant more visible on Google Maps? To improve visibility, claim and verify your Google Business Profile, keep your business information up-to-date, choose appropriate primary and secondary categories, add high-quality photos, and encourage customer reviews. Regularly post updates and respond to reviews to show active engagement with your profile.

Q3. What should I do if my restaurant shares an address with other businesses? If you share an address with other businesses, ensure you have distinct permanent signage visible from outside, include your specific unit number or suite in your address format, and add photos showing your restaurant’s unique entrance or storefront. Never use a P.O. Box or virtual office as your address.

Q4. How important are customer reviews for my restaurant’s visibility on Google Maps? Customer reviews are crucial for visibility on Google Maps. Restaurants with numerous positive reviews typically rank higher in search results. Encourage real customer reviews through methods like table cards with QR codes, and always respond to both positive and negative reviews promptly and professionally.

Q5. What should I do if my restaurant suddenly disappears from Google Maps? If your restaurant suddenly disappears from Google Maps, check for any recent changes to your Google Business Profile, ensure your listing hasn’t been flagged or edited by others, and verify that you haven’t violated any of Google’s guidelines. Regularly monitor your listing for unauthorized changes and stay alert for algorithm updates that might affect visibility.

References

[1] – https://www.pinmeto.com/blog/why-is-my-business-not-showing-up-on-google-search
[2] – https://embedsocial.com/blog/google-business-profile-suggested-edits/
[3] – https://www.brightlocal.com/learn/google-business-profile/optimization/description/
[4] – https://www.askwebpros.com/schedule-your-free-consultation-call
[5] – https://support.google.com/business/answer/3039617?hl=en
[6] – https://www.ignitingbusiness.com/blog/how-to-fix-google-business-profile-video-verification
[7] – https://www.sterlingsky.ca/google-business-profile-video-verification/
[8] – https://wethinkintegrated.com/what-is-nap-consistency-and-how-does-it-help-local-seo/
[9] – https://support.google.com/business/answer/15300403?hl=en
[10] – https://succeedingsmall.co/google-my-business-guidelines-for-small-businesses-why-you-need-a-physical-office-address-to-claim-a-profile/
[11] – https://support.google.com/business/answer/3038177?hl=en
[12] – https://support.google.com/business/answer/7091?hl=en
[13] – https://www.brightlocal.com/learn/google-business-profile/optimization/categories/
[14] – https://www.localfalcon.com/blog/how-to-optimize-google-business-profile-for-restaurants
[15] – https://www.localfalcon.com/blog/how-to-choose-categories-for-google-business-profile
[16] – https://uberall.com/en-us/resources/blog/10-tips-to-optimize-your-google-business-profile-for-improved-visibility
[17] – https://support.google.com/business/answer/6123536?hl=en
[18] – https://support.google.com/business/answer/6103862?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid
[19] – https://www.ihealthspot.com/blog/write-google-business-profile-description-guidelines-for-local-seo/
[20] – https://www.localfalcon.com/blog/how-to-display-a-product-catalog-or-menu-on-google-business-profile
[21] – https://business.google.com/us/business-profile/restaurants/
[22] – https://support.google.com/business/answer/14189260?hl=en
[23] – https://www.seroundtable.com/google-business-profiles-add-to-menu-option-38706.html
[24] – https://attractionalmarketing.com/your-competitors-can-edit-your-listing-on-google-my-business/
[25] – https://localsearchforum.com/threads/filtering-two-businesses-same-category-same-building-different-unit.59782/
[26] – https://support.google.com/business/answer/7342169?hl=en
[27] – https://gosnappy.io/blog/how-to-promote-restaurant-on-google/
[28] – https://www.brightlocal.com/learn/google-business-profile/reporting/google-business-profile-insights/
[29] – https://knucklepuckmedia.com/blog/how-to-monitor-google-algorithm-updates/
[30] – https://frontiermarketingllc.com/google-business-profile-for-restaurants/