Comments on: Google Map Local Business Center Update – New Interface & Features

By: Understanding Google Maps & Yahoo Local Search » Google Maps: KML for authority and ranking? | Developing Knowledge about Local Search

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:18:17 +0000

[...] Martijn Beijk pointed out in a previous comment: if the Local Business Center = 2, then a Bulk upload +KML file + a geo sitemap + Webmaster Central [...]

By: Mike Blumenthal

Mike Blumenthal — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:37:01 +0000

@martijn

I would agree with your math on the bulk + kml = 2 but I have had little experience measuring ranking success on uploads so I wanted real world verification.

My sense is that once locale is authenticated, regardless of the method, you are neither rewarded nor penalized.

Mike

By: martijn

martijn — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:27:30 +0000

@Mike

well, I have to admit that his post to the Google groups could set as an example for some of the other users, if ya know what I mean.

By: martijn

martijn — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:24:18 +0000

@Mike

Honestly I cannot tell if it affects or not, the bulk-upload cases I used all rank very very well for various keyword descriptions, but I also have to admit that I always use KML in sitemaps as well. (you would almost say its my religion, hehe ).
And as that same interview states; adding a sitemap to webmaster central for your URL means that it is authenticated as well.
So if individual LBC = 2 and BULK+webmaster central = 2, well you get the point.
I honestly don’t know if we should take some of the words used by carter thÃ¡t precise or the system thÃ¡t advanced, but I might be wrong ofcourse

By: Mike Blumenthal

Mike Blumenthal — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:09:19 +0000

@Brandan I didn't realize that it happened as a result of your listing efforts. If I were you I would follow Maps Guide Jen's instruction to the letter, list only your physical locations and hope for the best. You may or may not have been banned for spamming. If you have, there is currently NO reinclusion policy. Mike

By: Mike Blumenthal

Mike Blumenthal — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 11:31:56 +0000

@martijn Do you find that bulk uploads are in any way penalized in ranking due to Google not having as much location authority for them as compared to manual entries in the LBC? In the Maslan interview with Eric Enge, Maslan alluded to the question: Eric Enge: So the best thing to do at this moment is to do multiple individual uploads to Local Business Center because of the independent verification, right? Carter Maslan: Yes, that is the highest form of verification and priority of the data... Do you think it affects rank or just trust...and if it is just trust what are the implications of that? Mike

By: martijn

martijn — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 11:15:37 +0000

well, you could always use bulk upload (if more than 10 locations) and hope it is processed quickly/quicker than a postcard by mail

By: Mike Blumenthal

Mike Blumenthal — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 10:58:47 +0000

Hi Brandan

Once the phone verify option has been turned off you have only two choices (neither of which you will like):

1)Post at the Google Maps for Business Group and hope that Maps Guide Jen takes pity and turns it back on. This is a bit of a crap shoot.

2)Take the bullet and get the postcard.

There is no automated procedure to get the phone number option back once the algo has removed it that I know of. Anyone else?

Mike

By: Brandan Masters

Brandan Masters — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 06:12:04 +0000

I own a business where we have multiple addresses but only one business number. I verified 3 sites with the local business center only to find that on the 4th site I could no longer verify by phone and was only left with the option to verify by post card. (2-3 weeks). In the business world, who has this much time to wait on something as simple as listing an address location on a virtual map? The postcard option is a joke! My guess is Google flagged my phone number for spam purposes. But in reality, I have a completely legitimate reason to list multiple business addresses with one phone number. MAKES NO SENSE!!! Anyone know how to get the verify by phone option back?

By: Understanding Google Maps & Yahoo Local Search » Google Maps: LBC Fix Incorrect Marker Location Returns | Developing Knowledge about Local Search

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 17:58:47 +0000

[...] Center. The new implementation is cleaner with a larger map view. This feature was removed when the LBC was upgraded in June and its absence caused a large number of complaints and questions in the Maps for Business [...]