Introduction

Historically, GMB users were free to decide whether or not to include an address with their business profile, as long as they did not violate the Guidelines. Google’s policies generally require you to create a listing that mirrors your business model.

In July 2020, users started reporting cases in the GMB Community forum in which Google My Business would not allow them to create a service area business (SAB).

The exact error message, which was displayed when changing or adding categories, reads “Not available unless your business location appears on Google Maps.”

This new restriction is not limited to your primary category. Note how in the example above, the error message is displayed for a secondary category choice.

Google confirmed this week that this is a new, anti-spam measure.

How To Handle GMB Categories That Require A Location

Some business types, such as a “Yoga studio” are, quite obviously, located at some physical address. Requiring such a business to show an address in GMB is a logical requirement.

On the other hand, if you don’t have a physical yoga studio and instead, travel to teach yoga at your clients’ location, then the category “Yoga instructor” is a better fit.

It’s worth noting that this new restriction has no impact on hybrid businesses because they show an address. This applies only to pure service area businesses.

If you’re trying to create a SAB and come up against this warning that you need to display a physical location, simply look for an alternative category that doesn’t impose this restriction.

Conclusion

This new feature is an automated, anti-spam protection designed to reduce category misuse across millions of business profiles. While such a simple check is likely to work for the majority of listings, there may be problems in some fringe cases. If you find yourself in such a situation, please report it in the GMB Help Community.

For most users, this restriction is really just an indicator that GMB would like you to choose a more appropriate category for your business.

According to Ben Fisher, from Google My Business, some category guidance:

• Auto dent removal service
  • This will be non restricted by the end of Q3.
  • For now use Auto painting.
• Auto repair
  • Switch to a similar category without the restriction: Car Repair
• Tire shop
  • Swith to a similar category without the restriction: Wheel Store
• Auto glass shop
  • This will be non restricted by the end of Q3.
  • For now use Glass repair service.
• RV Repair shop
  • Switch to a similar category without the restriction: Car repair
• Pilates studio
  • Switch to a similar category without the restriction: Body shaping class
• Cremation services
  • This will be non restricted by the end of Q3.
  • Switch to a similar category without the restriction: Pet funeral services or ritual service
• Window tinting service
  • Switch to a similar category without the restriction: Auto window tinting service
• Film and photograph library
  • Switch to a similar category without the restriction: Photography
• Baker
  • Switch to Caterer
• Photo agency
  • Photo agency remains SAB eligible and has no address restriction.