Two different problems with the same symptom
“My description isn’t there” has two causes, and the edit status tells you which one you have. Pending means Google hasn’t finished reviewing. Not approved means it reviewed and said no. Don’t rewrite anything until you know which.
If it’s Pending, the only fix is time. Google’s help puts the usual review at under 10 minutes, with some edits taking up to 30 days. Editing the text again while it’s pending doesn’t move you up the line.
The usual reasons for a rejection
Google gives one official reason for any Not approved edit: it couldn’t confirm the change is accurate. For descriptions, the guidelines point to the likely triggers:
- A web address or link anywhere in the text. Google’s guidelines say descriptions must not display links, and the edit page says no URLs or HTML.
- Promotional copy. Discounts, “limited time,” prices and sale language move the text away from what Google wants, which is information about the business.
- Over the limit. Anything past 750 characters won’t fit.
- Claims that can’t be checked, such as “#1 rated” or “licensed in all 50 states” when nothing on your website supports it.
A quick self-review catches most of these. Read your text and strike every sentence that would be out of date in six months. What’s left is usually acceptable.
Problems that aren’t about the text
Sometimes the description is fine and the profile is the issue. Google’s policy overview says it may reject content added to unverified profiles, and that suspended or disabled profiles must be reinstated before new content goes through. If your profile shows a verification prompt or a suspension notice, deal with that first.
When to escalate
Resubmit once with a clean version. If the clean version is rejected too, follow the appeal link on Google’s edit status page or reach Google through the Business Profile Help contact options. Keep the request short: the text itself and a note that it contains no links, prices or promotions. Repeating the same submission over and over doesn’t help, and a second rejection is a signal to change the wording, not to try harder.
If it doesn't work
- Profile isn't verified: Google may reject content added to unverified profiles. Finish verification first.
- Text keeps getting rejected with no clear problem: Google's stated reason is that it couldn't confirm accuracy. Remove claims you can't support, like awards or licenses you can't show.
- Profile is suspended or disabled: content is rejected until the profile is reinstated. Fix that first.
- You pasted the same text that is already live: Google may not add content that is already published. Make the actual change, then save.
Questions owners ask
Why does Google reject a description without telling me why?
The edit status page lists one general reason for Not approved: Google can't confirm the edit's accuracy. It doesn't give a line-by-line reason. Compare your text with the guidelines, which ban links and steer away from promotions and prices.
Can I appeal a rejected description?
Google's edit status page says rejected business information edits may be appealable and links to a separate appeals article. In most cases a rewrite that removes the problem is faster than an appeal, and costs you nothing.
Is my old description still live while the new one is pending?
Google says edits don't show until approved. While the new text is Pending, customers keep seeing whatever was live before, or no description if you never had one.
Could a duplicate submission be the problem?
Possibly. Google's policy overview says content that's already live may not be added again. If you resubmit the exact text that is already showing, nothing changes.
Sources
- Check the status of your edit (support.google.com)
- Edit your Business Profile (support.google.com)
- Guidelines for representing your business on Google (support.google.com)
- Overview of Google Business Profile policies (support.google.com)
Checked 13 Nov 2026. When the platform changes its process we update this page and log it in What changed.