Google + pages and SEO results...

[mrodriguez1440]

Hi,

Can anyone give me insight into how people are getting away with naming their business by the SEO search term, creating a BS Google + page, then having that page rank high in the search results.  I am speaking specifically about the results you get when you Google: "Los Angeles DUI Lawyer".

As you can see from my attached screenshot (I'm doing the search in Los Angeles), the FIRST listing is a Google + business.  Strangely, the phone number listed doesn't actually take you to a DUI attorney, but rather to some marketing group that never answers the phone.

Can anyone give me insight into why Google even allows this?  I just find it odd that Google cares so much about the user experience, but have the first result be something completely misleading.  I know it sounds like I'm just jealous (which I am, a little), but I find it disheartening that we work so hard on SEO, and someone takes the top spot with an obvious BS page.

UupqBU9

[MiriamEllis]

Good Morning!

Unfortunately, the results you are seeing are consistent with a tweak Google made a few weeks back that has brought up some extremely low quality one boxes. The tweak is surfacing many old, spammy results like the one you've highlighted. Here are two good discussions of this weird phenomenon:

http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/google-local-important/10000-attack-bad-google-local-one-boxes.html

The above forum thread in 8 pages long, and I recommend you read the whole thing, as it includes many examples and, also, some things people have tried in regards to reporting the bad results.

Then, I would also suggest you read Mike Blumenthal's article in which he ties this tweak to the Hummingbird Update. Very smart:

http://blumenthals.com/blog/2013/09/28/hummingbird-local-knowledge-graph-shitty-search-results/

And, if you'd care to read more on this topic, you might want to take a glance at:

http://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/webmasters/NMh_bk5MXX0

The problem is very widespread. Google is aware of it and I expect they will turn the dial again at some point to improve what is currently a very poor search experience. There may be some hope in reporting a specific instance, as you will read about in Linda Buquet's forum thread, but for the most part, this may just be one of those sit-tight situations that we have to endure until Google takes action. Hang in there.

[alankoen123]

In the second column of the Google+ listing, you may have noticed the Report A Problem link.

There are several options provided plus "Other". "Place does not exist or is private" may be the best choice but you have options.

I agree that tactics like these stain SEO and the SEO industry. Every industry needs feedback like you've provided!

[MoosaHemani]

If you see the new bar in your Google+ account that asks you to claim your custom URL then do that and if not here is the URL to get started with Google+ custom URL https://support.google.com/plus/answer/2676340?rd=1.