Which Local Listing to Delete?

[MatterSolutions]

A local business has two Google+ Local listings:

1. an unverified unclaimed listing
2. an unverified, but claimed listing

Both are duplicates with correct address and phone numbers.

• Listing 1 ranks.
• Listing 2 doesn't rank.

Should I:

A) report listing 1 and verify listing 2, or

B) claim and verify listing 1 and delete listing 2

With A there's a risk of killing a listing that's ranking well and not getting a replacement. With B there's a chance of going against Google guidelines, as I understand claiming duplicate listings is a no-no (?)

Suggestions?

Thanks!

[MiriamEllis]

Hi MatterSolutions,

What you want to avoid doing here is claiming the second listing, because it's a violation to have two claimed listings. Instead, I would recommend going through the troubleshooter as this opens a line of communication with Google about the problem. Here's the link (click the contact button on this page):

https://support.google.com/places/#topic=1656871

I realized the guidelines Chris has correctly quoted state otherwise, but my own choice would be to use the troubleshooter instead.

[Chris.Menke]

Here's the process to follow as Google explains it:

1. Choose the listing that you'd prefer to keep across your accounts.
2. If you have enhanced content (photos, business hours, description) that you’d like to keep, make sure it’s available in this listing.
3. Make sure that the listing status is Active.
4. Delete all other listings for the same business from your account(s). To do this, choose the Remove this listing from my Google Places account option.

If it were me, I'd keep the profile that is already ranking.