How should I handle a company name change at G+
-
Hello,
I am wondering how you would suggest handling a company name change as it relates to a Google Plus page that is already setup and getting listed. Our company went through a name change this year and we want to update that info on our G+ page. Of importance to us, is that we have several excellent reviews that we don't want to lose.
So, is the best way to handle this for us to go in an simply adjust the info on our G+ page or will we have to kill our current page and start over - losing our reviews?
I would especially love to hear if you have experience with this scenario or a similar one.
Thanks in advance.
-
My pleasure, Kirk. Thanks for bringing your good question to Q&A!
-
Hi Miriam,
Thanks for the insight. What you say totally makes sense. I have already begun changing citations and links over to the new address. I really appreciate your willingness to jump in and help out.
Take care.
-
Hi Kirk,
Quick word of warning here: changing your business name could cause you to lose your reviews. If there are 20 reviews for Joe's Autobody, Google may not know that these reviews would be applicable for Joe's Muffler and Oil Change. Here is an example of lost reviews following name change as reported in the Google and Your Business Forum:
https://productforums.google.com/forum/?fromgroups=#!topic/google-plus-discuss/he9yex_ceog
This has always been the case, pre-Google+, so you have to be prepared to possibly lose some or all of your reviews following the change of business name.
As Googlelegaladvice has mentioned, it will be very important that you change your name in every citation you can find on the web, so that as these become updated, Google will find multiple instances to back up the fact that a new business name is, indeed, associated with the address that previously featured the old business name.
-
Thank you! Any idea how long it usually takes to see the change in place?
-
just update the page I have done it quite a few times in google places also try to update most of the main citations you have on the web
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Knowledge Graph is ranking for Brand+Location keyword, but not for Brand name.
Hi, for my brand Knowledge Graph is ranking for Brand+Location keyword, but not for Brand name. Do anyone know why?
Image & Video Optimization | | danielax1 -
Local SEO company
How important it is to choose a local SEO company based on their location? How can you check their reliability?
Image & Video Optimization | | echo10 -
Local Targeting without the city’s name
Here’s an interesting one for you guys: We show up on page 1 for “Edmonton web design,” (our website is http:web3.ca), however when you search for just “web design” in our city, we don’t seem to show up at all. I know Google is now placing a higher percentage or local companies in a search. So my question is: how can we show up better for a local search that is just “web design”? Does this just come down to domain authority & content or are there other key local factors at play?
Image & Video Optimization | | Web3Marketing870 -
How do you handle local SEO when a business has had multiple names?
Hi, Here is a quite simple question... that comes from a real life example. When a local business, with one phone number and one business location, has been promoting itself with up to 4 different names over the years. How do you handle local SEO? Do you try to update all pages (and directories) on the Web to the new name? Do you keep the existing records as they are and find some ways to show Google - and people - that those are all the same business? Thanks, Adrien O'Leary
Image & Video Optimization | | AdrienOLeary0 -
Image Names
What is the optimal image naming strategy for the following? Should it be A or B or something else? a) disease name-topic name-treatment-studies by age b) diseasename-topicname-treatment-studiesbyage Thank you.
Image & Video Optimization | | Mont0 -
Local SEO... use 800 # or local, use full-street name or abbreviation?
Couple local SEO questions... Do you feel it’s better to submit a listing with the full type of street rather than an abbreviation? Google Places sometimes disassociates data because of small differences like this. Below is an example: Full Name: 123 Broadway Street
Image & Video Optimization | | qlkasdjfw
Abbreviation: 123 Broadway St. Also, I’m wondering if you feel it’s better to submit a local number versus an 800 number. I've modified many local listings for clients manually with an 800 number, but then there are other data sources for these same businesses that are displaying the local number. I am starting to use UBL/LocalEZE and are wondering what people have seen working best... local number or 800 number. Thanks!0 -
Street name or Highway number- which is best ?
In Google places my address shows up in two different ways. I want to establish a consistent way of listing my business, but how do I determine what's best at this point? My listings now show up as the street name: "122 Maple Street" and in other listings as the Route number: "122 Route 44 " The locals all know this street as Maple Street, but we are a tourist business and tourists probably know the Rt. # better. Is there a systematic way I can determine which is going to be the best way to list this? I have the same question about variations like using Rt. or St. versus Route or Street. Thanks Tio
Image & Video Optimization | | stephenfishman0
