If you’re a local business owner, having your phone number listed and verified on Google My Business (GMB) is essential for capturing leads, increasing customer trust, and improving local visibility. But what happens when your GMB phone number is under review or flagged? Suddenly, your customers can’t call, your listing loses credibility, and your entire local search presence is at risk.

In this article, we’ll walk you through how to fix a GMB phone number review, why Google might flag your number, and what steps you can take to restore your listing quickly. We’ll also share how working with professional local SEO services can help you stay compliant and visible.

Why Is Your GMB Phone Number Under Review?

Google places a strong emphasis on business authenticity and user experience. If your Google My Business phone review is stuck in limbo or under review, it’s usually due to one of the following reasons:

1. Phone Number Doesn’t Match Website or Citations

Google cross-verifies business information from your GMB profile with your website, directories, and other sources. If the phone number on your listing doesn’t match what’s listed elsewhere, especially your website, it may trigger a manual or automated review.

2. Use of Call Tracking Numbers Improperly

Call tracking is a common practice in digital marketing, but Google may flag it if you use a number not consistently listed across your citations. Using advanced techniques, you must implement call tracking with proper NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) consistency.

3. Frequent Edits or Suspicious Activity

If you or someone else has made multiple changes to your GMB listing quickly—especially phone-related changes—Google’s algorithms may raise red flags.

4. Violation of GMB Guidelines

Using a shared phone line, a virtual phone number without a physical presence, or failing to meet Google’s quality guidelines could lead to a GMB phone verification problem.

How to Fix the GMB Phone Number Under Review

Here’s a step-by-step guide to fix your GMB phone number issue and get your listing back in good standing:

Step 1: Verify Your Business Information Across the Web

The first thing to check is consistency. Visit your website, Yelp, Facebook, Bing Places, and local directories where your business is listed. Ensure the phone number on all those platforms matches what’s on your Google listing.

Minor differences (like missing area codes or old phone numbers) can cause issues.

Pro Tip: If you’re using call tracking, ensure it’s properly configured with a consistent business number using Google’s best practices.

Step 2: Check GMB Guidelines

You should always refer to the Business Profile Guidelines from Google, focusing especially on your phone number’s use. Avoid using:

Personal numbers
Toll-free numbers that don’t route directly to your business
Redirected numbers that mask the actual business number

Step 3: Use the GMB Help Center

If your phone number is under review, you may see a message like:

“Phone number is under review and can’t be displayed”.

In this case, you’ll need to:

Go to the Google Business Profile Help Center
Click “Contact Us” and select “Phone Number Issues.”
Submit the required documentation (business license, utility bill, or other proof of phone ownership)

The review process can take anywhere from 24 hours to 7 business days.

Step 4: Contact Google Business Support

If you’ve verified all your info and are still stuck, you can contact Google Support directly. The best way to do this is through:

Chat support via the GMB dashboard
Email support from the Help Center
Posting in the Google Business Profile Community Forum

When contacting them, include:

Business name
Profile URL
Screenshots of the issue
Proof of business phone number (like phone bills or invoices)

Step 5: Avoid Making Multiple Edits

Don’t edit the listing further after submitting your verification; wait for the review to end first. Frequent changes in a document often start the review again which may take more time.

How to Prevent Future GMB Phone Number Reviews

To avoid having your phone number flagged again, follow these best practices:

1. Maintain NAP Consistency

Your Name, Address, and Phone number should always be consistent across your website, Google listing, and other directories.

2. Use Schema Markup

Add local business schema to your website to help Google confirm your contact details automatically.

3. Work With Experts

Let professionals manage your local SEO and GMB optimization to avoid mistakes. A trusted team like VSF Marketing can manage your listing in line with Google’s best practices.

Check out our SEO services to see how we can help keep your business visible and compliant.

Real Impact of a GMB Phone Verification Problem

Here’s why a GMB phone number review isn’t something you can ignore:

Lost Leads: Customers can’t call you directly
Reduced Trust: Visitors may question the legitimacy of your business
Lower Rankings: Google could demote your listing in local search results
Fewer Conversions: Phone calls are often the final step in the customer journey

If you’re running local ads or pushing traffic to your listing, every minute of downtime is lost revenue.

When to Seek Professional Help

If your listing is part of a multi-location business or you manage multiple profiles, resolving a GMB phone verification problem can be tricky. That’s when expert help becomes crucial.

A qualified local SEO services provider can:

Audit and fix all GMB issues
Manage listing updates without triggering reviews
Ensure your listings meet Google’s guidelines
Monitor changes and resolve future problems proactively

Final Thoughts

Having your GMB phone number under review is a frustrating hurdle for any business, especially when phone calls are critical to your customer journey. But with the right steps and attention to detail, you can fix the issue and restore your listing.

Whether you’re facing persistent GMB issues or want to avoid them altogether, partnering with experienced SEO services ensures your online presence remains strong and stable.

Need help with your Google Business Profile?

Reach out to the team at VSF Marketing for expert support and dependable local SEO solutions.

How do I fix Google My Business’s phone number that is under review?