Google Business Profile suspension waves: the 2026 timeline
By Jorge Cermeño · Updated
Short answer
Two suspension waves hit Google Business Profiles in spring 2026. On April 27, profiles in home service categories were suspended for deceptive content. On May 3 and 4, Google restricted whole Google Accounts, many showing Routing ID DPNB. Google announced neither wave, but both followed its April 16 update on tighter Maps enforcement.
Timeline of 2026 suspension waves and enforcement changes
Newest first. Each entry lists its sources and says whether Google announced it. Waves Google did not announce are documented from the cases we handled and from reports in local SEO communities.
- AccountNot announced by Google
Wave 2: account-level restrictions and Routing ID DPNB
Starting the night of Sunday, May 3, Google restricted entire Google Accounts rather than single profiles. Every profile on a restricted account was suspended, owners could not create or claim new profiles, and many cases showed Routing ID: DPNB. Appeals were denied quickly or the form would not submit.
Who was hit: Agencies and multi-location owners, accounts running Google Ads or Local Services Ads, and accounts with earlier suspensions. Home service categories again.
What Routing ID DPNB means and how to fix itSources
- Fix suspended or disabled profiles: account restrictions (Google Business Profile Help) (opens in a new tab)
- Overview of Google Business Profile policies: account level restrictions (Google Business Profile Help) (opens in a new tab)
- Our Wave 2 breakdown, from the cases we handled (JCerme, May 4, 2026)
- ProfileNot announced by Google
Wave 1: mass profile suspensions for deceptive content
Owners woke up to suspended profiles with a deceptive content violation and no other detail. The listings disappeared from Google Maps and local search overnight. Product Experts in local SEO communities described it as an automated sweep rather than individual reviews.
Who was hit: Home service businesses in California and beyond, with garage door, locksmith and contractor categories among the most affected. Many were legitimate businesses.
How a suspended profile differs from the other types - PolicyPublished by Google
Reviews policy tightened on staff mentions and solicitation
Google's review policy now bars merchants from asking staff to solicit a set number of reviews, or reviews that mention a staff member by name.
- Enforcement dataPublished by Google
Google publishes its 2025 Maps enforcement figures
Google said its systems blocked or removed over 292 million policy-violating reviews in 2025, blocked 79 million inaccurate or unverified edits, and removed over 13 million fake Business Profiles. It also described using Gemini models to stop policy-violating suggested edits before they go live.
If your profile was caught in a wave
- Do not create a new profile or a new Google Account. Both get linked to the suspended one.
- Work out which type you have: a suspended profile, lost verification, or an account restriction.
- Fix the profile first: real-world name, an eligible address or a hidden one, the right category.
- Prepare one evidence pack with matching name and address, then appeal once.
- If the appeal is denied or the form breaks, escalate instead of resubmitting.
Sweeps catch legitimate businesses, and most come back with a clean profile and the right evidence. Check which suspension type you have first.
Changelog
Every change to this timeline, dated.
Timeline published. Brings together the April 27 and May 3 to 4 waves and the April policy and enforcement updates, each with its sources.