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- listing has inaccurate info, including the wrong url (it points to their old website which is no longer active, but redirects to the new site)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
-
Is it still true that when your video is shown in a Google Video Carousel your page is not shown in the normal SERPS?
Hello everybody, I'm trying to decide whether it's worth it to invest time in optimizing my video's to appear in the video carousels on Google. I read that once your video is in the carousel, your normal snippet in the SERPS is removed. Is this still the case? Thank you for helping out!
Image & Video Optimization | | klaver1 -
Right hand side Google Local profile image pulling from 3rd party site
Hello! When googling our company's name, the Google Local profile comes up on the right hand side with the reviews, address, phone number, etc. Those are all fine but the main photo being used is not the one specified in the Google My Business profile but it seems to be pulling from a 3rd party site that recently added a link and an image to our website. Why is this happening and can we specify the image that shows up? Your help will be very much appreciated!!!
Image & Video Optimization | | uniseo10 -
Why is my image Alt Text showing up under my URL and title on the Google results page?
I just realized this happened 😞 I optimized this page over a week ago. I changed out the old image on the page, along with the Alt Text. Now I see this when I do a search for it. No Beuno. Can some one please tell me how I get rid of the alt text in the result. many many thanks in advance. http://thumannagency.com/business-insurance/contractors-insurance Contractors Liability, Work Comp Insurance in Dallas, Texas ... <cite class="_Rm">thumannagency.com/business-insurance/contractors-insurance</cite>Your page is not mobile-friendly.Dallas, Texas Contractors Insurance. Contractors Insurance Quote. General Contractor working on a roof in Texas. Thumann Agency specializes in providing ...
Image & Video Optimization | | MissThumann0 -
Google+ Local Listing - No Physical Address
Hi everyone, I have a client who won't be renewing his lease for where he conducts his business. Instead he will be working from home. That being said, he does not wish to have his personal address details showing within his local listing. Is there any other way to still show for Google Local without a personal or business address? Is a PO box possible, other there any other alternatives? Thanks in advance. Leo
Image & Video Optimization | | nimbleo0 -
Local Listings
I use getlisted.org as my local listing guideline. For some of the local listings you can "upgrade" the listing for a price instead of doing just the basic free listing. I was wondering do people pay for the listing and is it worth it? Are some of them better than others to get an upgraded listing? Thanks for the help!
Image & Video Optimization | | ClickIt0 -
Google+ Local/Places isn't displaying my suite #. Should I leave it out of NAP on other directories, too?
HI All, For some reason Google is not displaying the suite # for a client of mine in Google+ / Places. I've entered the suite # in the back-end of Google+ / Places and it shows there when I log in, but the public version of the listing omits it. So the question is, should the NAP in other directories omit it as well? Google knows it exists, but is choosing not to publish it... Thanks! Zack
Image & Video Optimization | | HammerandHand0 -
How quick do you see google places rankings update
We have submitted allot of citations over the last 60 days for a client. A very prominent business in their city. Pretty good SEO rankings considering we just started doing SEO a couple months ago. Over the last several weeks we have fixed all listings and removed duplicates. Site is optimized properly and etc.. After how many weeks should I see a change in places rankings? Right now they are not moving up at all.
Image & Video Optimization | | waqid0 -
Google local - is 7 pack really gone
According to a searchengineland post, Google has replaced "7 pack" results. But they are still appearing for local queries. Like for query "pizza restaurant new delhi" ( in Google.co.in ), i can still see 7 pack results. Has local and general search algorithms merged ?
Image & Video Optimization | | seoug_20050