1. Using the Wrong Business Name
Adding keywords like “Best Salon Dubai” or “Cheap Car Repair” in your business name might seem like a smart trick, but Google considers it spam. Your Google Business Profile name must exactly match your registered business name.
Example: A restaurant in Deira listed itself as “Best Biryani Dubai | Cheap Indian Food”. The listing was flagged and lost visibility. After changing back to the registered name, rankings improved within weeks.
2. Providing Inaccurate Address Information
Google prioritizes businesses with clear, accurate, and real addresses. Using P.O. boxes, virtual offices, or vague locations can trigger suspensions.
Tip: Always use your physical location in Dubai, whether it is a shop in Karama or an office in Dubai Marina.
3. Not Selecting the Right Business Category
Choosing the wrong category is a common error. If you are a dental clinic but list yourself as a “health consultant,” you will miss relevant searches.
Pro Tip: Use a specific category like “Cosmetic Dentist in Dubai” instead of just “Dentist.” This helps with local SEO Dubai searches.
4. Ignoring Business Hours
Customers often search “open now near me”. If your hours are not updated, Google may show other businesses instead of yours.
Example: A pharmacy in Bur Dubai gained 30% more foot traffic simply by updating its 24/7 working hours on GMB.
5. Forgetting to Add Photos and Videos
Listings with images get more clicks and visits. Clear, high-quality photos of your shop, office, or menu help customers trust your business.
Case Study: A café in Downtown Dubai added new photos of their menu and outdoor seating. Within 3 months, clicks for “restaurants near me” increased by 45%.
6. Neglecting Reviews and Responses
Reviews directly impact rankings and trust. Ignoring reviews or worse, not getting them, can hurt visibility.
- Encourage customers to share their reviews.
- Reply respectfully to all feedback, positive or negative.
Fact: Businesses with 50+ reviews rank higher for Google Maps ranking Dubai queries.
7. Leaving Business Information Incomplete
Google rewards complete profiles. Missing details like phone numbers, website links, or services reduce credibility.
Checklist:
- Add links to booking or service pages.
- Add services offered (e.g., “haircut, beard trim” for a barbershop).
- List your phone number with a local UAE code.
8. Keyword Stuffing in Description
Overloading your description with keywords like “cheap plumber Dubai, best plumber Dubai, plumber Dubai Marina” hurts more than it helps.
Write naturally: “We provide reliable plumbing services in Dubai Marina, JLT, and nearby areas.”
9. Not Using Google Posts
Google Posts let you share offers, updates, or events. Many businesses ignore this feature, missing chances to appear in fresh searches.
Example: A salon in JLT promoted a Ramadan discount using Google Posts. This helped them appear in more “salon offers near me” queries.
10. Keep an Eye on Insights and Analytics
Google shows valuable insights about how customers discover your business listing. Ignoring these means you miss out on improving performance.
Key Metrics to Track:
- Search queries people use
- Customer actions (calls, clicks, directions)
- Peak times when people view your listing
Quick Recap Table
| Mistake | Impact on Ranking | Fix |
| Wrong business name | Spam flag, lower trust | Use registered name |
| Inaccurate address | Suspension risk | Add a real Dubai address |
| Wrong category | Missed searches | Pick a specific category |
| No business hours | Lose “open now” searches | Keep hours updated |
| No photos/videos | Low engagement | Add high-quality visuals |
| Ignoring reviews | Lower ranking | Get & respond to reviews |
| Incomplete info | Less trust | Fill in all details |
| Keyword stuffing | Spammy listing | Write natural content |
| No Google Posts | Fewer fresh results | Post updates & offers |
| No insights tracking | No improvements | Monitor data monthly |
Why Avoiding These Mistakes Matters in Dubai
Dubai’s local search competition is fierce. A small mistake like using the wrong business category or missing reviews can push you off the first page. Whether customers are searching “best café near me Dubai” or “24-hour clinic in Deira”, your GMB profile determines if you appear or disappear.
Getting it right means more calls, walk-ins, and online leads. Fixing these mistakes ensures your business is trusted, visible, and competitive.
Why Get Expert Help
While GMB seems simple, many businesses face suspensions, duplicate listings, or optimization issues. That is where expert support can save time and maximize results. At Azizi Technologies, we help businesses in Dubai and across the UAE manage and optimize their Google Business Profiles. From fixing suspended listings to improving local SEO and Google Maps ranking in Dubai, we make sure you stay ahead of competitors.
