Moz Q&A is closed.
After more than 13 years, and tens of thousands of questions, Moz Q&A closed on 12th December 2024. Whilst we’re not completely removing the content - many posts will still be possible to view - we have locked both new posts and new replies. More details here.
Transferring SEO services from one agency to another - troubles, concerns, etc.?
- 
					
					
					
					
 Hey Moz Community, I have a friend I'm asking for who has an agency and will be taking over SEO from another agency. One thing that worries me is that the agency has confirmed dozens of locations in Google Places (about 60-100) for this business. How would you transfer Google Places ownership (assuming they cooperate)? Could the previous agency delete these listings? If so, how would that affect Local SEO? For example, the location and phone number is already on the website. Isn't that good enough for all of these locations (about 100)? I hope this is clear; please let me know if not. I would be interested in hearing any other feedback about moving agencies. Thanks, Cole 
- 
					
					
					
					
 I think Google updated the 14 days processing. You add a manager -> One day waiting -> Make owner. Thanks so much for your help!!!  
- 
					
					
					
					
 Contact Google & have them help you on the back end. https://support.google.com/business/?hl=en#topic=4539639&contact=1 You have to wait 14 days to transfer ownership to a manager. It'll go much faster if you just have them call you. 
- 
					
					
					
					
 What if the email address is @agency.com? Then, physical email addresses can't be turned over. Best alternative would be to transfer ownership in G+ dashboard? Would this alternative simply be by adding another manager and that new manager delete old agency manager? Or is there a place to actually change ownership? I can't seem to locate the change of ownership if it does exist. ETA: I found it. You add someone as a manager then you wait 1 day, then add them as the owner. Thanks, 
- 
					
					
					
					
 You can transfer ownership in the G+ Dashboard. I highly recommend having the current agency turn over the email address that's associated with ownership of all of the location listings. With that, you won't actually have to transfer ownership in G+, only IRL with the actual account & password access. Yes, the previous agency can delete the listings. You would have to reverify all of them if they go this route. You can also go about getting these via the bulk upload process & having the ownership of these businesses authorize Google to transfer ownership of all 100 listings to what ever email address you choose. This isn't a quick process. Suggestion 1 is the best route. ~Scott Davis, Senior SEO Specialist at Valet Interactive Marketing 
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 ToolsChat with the community about the Moz tools. 
- 
		
		SEO TacticsDiscuss the SEO process with fellow marketers 
- 
		
		CommunityDiscuss industry events, jobs, and news! 
- 
		
		Digital MarketingChat about tactics outside of SEO 
- 
		
		Research & TrendsDive into research and trends in the search industry. 
- 
		
		SupportConnect on product support and feature requests. 
Related Questions
- 
		
		
		
		
		
		Local Ranking with No Physical Address in New Service Area - How to Rank?
 OK, SO, I am a wedding company in Maui, Hawaii and have an established business on one island with a physical address. http://simplemauiwedding.net We have started a new team in Oahu, Hawaii http://simpleoahuwedding.com and we provide service there and have a full team in place. How can I rank for Local Search on that Island with no physical address? I would love to hear some proven strategies. Thank you 🙂 Local Listings | | photoseo10
- 
		
		
		
		
		
		Google Local Storefront or Google Service Area?
 We have been seeing some strange things happen in Google local after the most recent update. We used to show up in the maps all the time and have made no major edits or changes to the profile. Now when we search for our services, we show up high in the organic results, and not at all in maps (local listings). We have our profile setup as a service area since we do meet with people and provide services at their location, but also have checked the option that we also serve people at our address. I am wondering if the recent update favors actual storefronts when people are searching for services. Any ideas? Technically all the actual work is provided at our location, and the service we provide at the service area locations is based upon consultations. If we switched it to an actual storefront listing could that possibly help? Our profile is fairly strong, and has reviews, long history of posts, etc. What gives Google? Local Listings | | David-Kley1
- 
		
		
		
		
		
		Are Yellow Pages links good for SEO
 I have a client that has 2500 yellowpages.com links like this one http://m.yellowpages.com/hillside-nj/guardianship-services Are these SEO relevant? Can they hurt SEO efforts. Is this something should push for clients? Can Yellow pages be a good link building strategy? What say you? Local Listings | | donsilvernail0
- 
		
		
		
		
		
		Should I change my local listing Service type from Brick and Mortar to Service Area in Google? And will it affect my ranking in a negative manner?
 Currently my company Big Boy Bail Bonds, Inc is ranking very well for the city it is located and, currently service type is brick and mortar. But my Company does not only service people at our location but we service the entire county of Los Angeles. And I wanted to know if you would advise me on weather I should change the service type from brick and morter to service area. and if doing that would effect me in a negative manner when it came to my ranking? Plz advice Thank you in advance. Local Listings | | LittleDog1
- 
		
		
		
		
		
		Concerned about cannibalization for local SEO results. Should we move some of our location pages to a subdomain?
 Currently we are providing local SEO recommendations for a well known pharmacy chain. Like most major brands they enjoy multiple organic (not just 3 pack results) listings when people search for local phrases such as "Dallas pharmacy clinics'". The issue is that all these listings are coming from the same domain page. We are seeing multiple listings both branded and non-branded search queries. Our concern is that Google will someday decide to choose one listing as the most authoritative and nix the rest of the local listings which will reduce their first page search engine saturation. To maintain first page saturation we are considering recommending to the client that they move some of their location listings Local Listings | | RosemaryB
 to a subdomain (different IP address) to avoid a Google "clean up". Please note that our client is certainly not using any "doorway" pages but some of these are very scarce on content. They do not have an issue with duplicate content either. By using subdomains could we help maintain our client's first page saturation? Any links to articles would be much appreciated.0
- 
		
		
		
		
		
		What is the best address format to display for a buissness for SEO?
 There is a new location opening soon and would like to set up local pages for it. What is the best/most SEO friendly way to write out the physical address? I looked on USPS and they show: 7227 W GRAND PKWY S Local Listings | | nat88han
 RICHMOND TX 77407 But local businesses seem to have the West and South written out: 7301 West Grand Parkway SouthRichmond, TX 77407Is there a best practice for this, or does it not make much of a difference as long as the website/local listings all match exactly? Not sure about writing out "West" or using "S." for the cardinal direction.0
- 
		
		
		
		
		
		Is eLocal a scam or legitimate directory for local SEO?
 I just got an email from eLocal with information that is way farther off than any other email I have received from directories I know. I ran a search on them, and it definitely seems fishy. Plus, it's not showing up as a problem in my Moz Local account. However, I don't want an inconsistent listing if this is a legitimate site I should correct. Anyone have experience with them? What should I do? Thanks for the assistance, Ruben Local Listings | | KempRugeLawGroup0
- 
		
		
		
		
		
		Address Format for Local SEO
 Hi, Ive been reading how important it is to get the address of a business consistent and written in the right format to help with Local Search Engine Rankings. Is this correct? If this is the case, are there any online generators to help create this html in the right format to put into a webpage. Thank you. Local Listings | | Ampweb0
 
			
		 
			
		 
					
				 
					
				 
					
				 
					
				 
					
				 
					
				 
					
				