How should I resolve duplicate Google Places listings?
-
I am doing work for a local business who has duplicate Google Places listings. I would like some input from those with experience in this as to how I should go about consolidating these listings.
Listing 1
- created ~3 years ago by someone in the local business.
- They don't have the login/password info for this listing.
- listing has inaccurate info, including the wrong url (it points to their old website which is no longer active, but redirects to the new site)
- 124 reviews associated with this listing
- listing is on 3rd page of Local Business results
Listing 2
- one year old
- All listing info is current and accurate and I have the login info
- 18 reviews associated with this listing
- listing is on 6th page of Local Business results
Up until a week or two ago Listing 2 was ranked between 1-3 in the local business results along side the map. Listing 1 was ranked around #6. I assume that the duplicate listings with their conflicting info (different url's associated with each) hit some tripwire in Google and they have now been penalized. Does this sound correct?
What is the best method for consolidating the two listings and reestablishing the ranking? Here are my thoughts, please let me know if there is a better way...
- gain access to Listing 1 by having the business claim/verify the listing
- update all info in Listing 1 so that it is current and accurate
- deactivate and/or delete Listing 2
Is this the best course of action? Thanks!
-
In my opinion you should claim both listings so you can at least control them until it gets resolved. The problem you with with deactivating either one of them is potentially losing any authority from the deactivated listing. Thats why I recommend contacting Google to merge them. But a good short term fix is to claim both listings and update them to have same/similar info, but you are still potentially splitting citation authority over 2 listings potentially.
-
Thanks Roger. I considered contacting Google, but given that it can take so long for Google to deal with the problem I was wondering if I might be better off trying to resolve the problem myself.
I'm curious to know which route would get my listing back in Google's good graces quicker. Would you always recommend going through Google for this problem? Thanks.
-
Log into your places account and go to your places page. There is a link to "report a problem." Click that link and explain what the issue is.
Here is the google article on dealing with this problem.http://www.google.com/support/places/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=183009
It can take several weeks for them to get around to correcting this so be patient.
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
-
Google Places, Google+ Local, or both?
I understand that Google is in the process of merging Google Places into Google+ Local, but the current state is very confusing. There are still two separate signup pages, and neither even MENTIONS the other. If someone is establishing a business web presence today, what should we set up?
Image & Video Optimization | | LunaGraphica0 -
Google Places Creation
Hello, I am currently managing 200 clients for which I have to create Google Places. Can I create 200 different places for each client, and manage all them from one Gmail account? If one client doesn't want to continue the contract, can I transfer the managing of the place to another account?
Image & Video Optimization | | cvissi0 -
Google Local pulling incorrect business name
A client mistakenly put her business name in one of the directories with "In" after the name for" incorporated". She wants to remove the "In" because it just looks weird, but we cannot figure out how, its showing up in google local too now. She did update her infousa listing but that didn't help.
Image & Video Optimization | | handsun0 -
Google places: how to deal when competitors spam?
My competitors are spamming in google places, how do I report them? following are a few examples of how they are spamming: Some of them are not local businesses, they somehow managed to get a number and some random address. Some of them have keywords as company names, their exact company name doesn't have any keywords. Some of them have multiple places pages with keywords as company names. how does one deal with it?
Image & Video Optimization | | virtualhandshake0 -
How to Fix Issue for Inactive Products in Google Merchant Center?
Today, I was checking my Google merchant center account. I come to know that, there are 145 inactive products are available from product feed. I have checked few products manually and found following error. "The URL specified in your data feed wasn't working correctly when we reviewed this item." You can view more by attached image. I have checked my URLs and it's working well. There is no issue in URL. So, How do I fix issue? 6327664099_0430ef187e_b.jpg
Image & Video Optimization | | CommercePundit1 -
Google Places Account Suspended
Hi- I was recently forced to migrate my Google account. After going through the process my Google Places profiles associated with this email was suspended. I've read the quality guidelines and I'm pretty certain that my account was suspended because: --
Image & Video Optimization | | lhc67
Account Email Address: Use a shared business email account, if multiple users will be updating your business listing. If possible, use an email account under your business domain. For example, if your business website is www.google.com, a matching email address would be you@google.com. There seems to be no way to change the email address associated with a Places account. I've pretty much resolved to obtaining emails at the business domain and setting the profiles up again from scratch. Before I do this does anyone have any other ideas? I've posted the question at Google webmaster forums and have only found other similar unanswered questions. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you! LHC0 -
How come none of my images are being indexed by google.
None of my images are being indexed by google. Here is a link to one of my site gallery pages : http://www.mconcrete.com/gallery/stamped-concrete
Image & Video Optimization | | munoz04510 -
How do I get Google Places to pick up my reviews from other sites?
I have reviews on Yelp, Insiderpages.com, and Citysearch. All of my contact information matches up, but Google does not seem to be finding them and adding them to my Google Places page. Is there anything I need to do to make this happen?
Image & Video Optimization | | vinnyb20000
