Comments on: The complexities of YP listing management in the Google Age http://blumenthals.com/blog/2008/11/03/the-complexities-of-listing-management-in-the-google-age/ Developing Knowledge about Local Search Wed, 23 May 2012 14:31:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Mike http://blumenthals.com/blog/2008/11/03/the-complexities-of-listing-management-in-the-google-age/comment-page-1/#comment-281658 Mike Sat, 08 Nov 2008 16:12:04 +0000 http://blumenthals.com/blog/?p=1361#comment-281658 Chris Thanks for you comments. In this case though it has little to do with the basic listing or even the reviews associated with the listing but Google's scraping in an effort to understand even more about the business. In a sense they did capture correct information is it just outdated and even though they state a belief in open wiki like systems for Maps they do not give users or businesses the opportunity to correct this outdated information. Mike Chris

Thanks for you comments. In this case though it has little to do with the basic listing or even the reviews associated with the listing but Google’s scraping in an effort to understand even more about the business. In a sense they did capture correct information is it just outdated and even though they state a belief in open wiki like systems for Maps they do not give users or businesses the opportunity to correct this outdated information.

Mike

]]> By: Chris Travers http://blumenthals.com/blog/2008/11/03/the-complexities-of-listing-management-in-the-google-age/comment-page-1/#comment-281656 Chris Travers Sat, 08 Nov 2008 16:05:16 +0000 http://blumenthals.com/blog/?p=1361#comment-281656 This is an all-too-common story, but we think that UBL has the solution through its new partnership with infoUSA - but it only works if the search sites agree to use it. We have not had much publicity around this, as few writers have tried to understand the implications of this new alliance. Here is what is new: UBL through the use of infoUSA Express update not only delivers to just about every search engine, online yellow pages, 411, GPS navigation device and telematics (e.g. OnStar) , but we do it from inside the database that the search engines use. The listings now go in the regular updates that adjust the data - and this is fast. More importantly, each listing gets assigned an IUSA number - for those unaware, this is a unique identifier that the sites use to connect listings with reviews or make sure changes are made to the right ones. These listings now go through an exacting verification and data-matching process. So if the search sites, that already use this identifier, were to simply loop back through the existing system to do a check on it, this hijhacking and listing spam would never happen. Giving user-generated data is a good thing - but not verifying it and giving it priority over checked information - serves nobody's interests. Notably, UBL provides data to all search sites for free, including those not using infoUSA data, so it is universal. That is a solution, not a bandaid. This is an all-too-common story, but we think that UBL has the solution through its new partnership with infoUSA – but it only works if the search sites agree to use it. We have not had much publicity around this, as few writers have tried to understand the implications of this new alliance. Here is what is new: UBL through the use of infoUSA Express update not only delivers to just about every search engine, online yellow pages, 411, GPS navigation device and telematics (e.g. OnStar) , but we do it from inside the database that the search engines use. The listings now go in the regular updates that adjust the data – and this is fast. More importantly, each listing gets assigned an IUSA number – for those unaware, this is a unique identifier that the sites use to connect listings with reviews or make sure changes are made to the right ones. These listings now go through an exacting verification and data-matching process. So if the search sites, that already use this identifier, were to simply loop back through the existing system to do a check on it, this hijhacking and listing spam would never happen. Giving user-generated data is a good thing – but not verifying it and giving it priority over checked information – serves nobody’s interests. Notably, UBL provides data to all search sites for free, including those not using infoUSA data, so it is universal. That is a solution, not a bandaid.

]]> By: Mike http://blumenthals.com/blog/2008/11/03/the-complexities-of-listing-management-in-the-google-age/comment-page-1/#comment-281352 Mike Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:06:56 +0000 http://blumenthals.com/blog/?p=1361#comment-281352 Hi David Updates to Google Maps takes 6-8 weeks AFTER Google has indexed the Qigong page and moved the page into their Maps Index. So it could be several months for you to see results. To me it is interesting that Google, the warm and fuzzy search engine is taking such a low cost, dam the torpedoes approach to Local. It sure generates immense ill will in the small business community and they (you, me and the others) are both users and potential purchasers of their services. Certainly, while Google is providing marketing returns businesses will continue to use them but like dealing with the old Yellow Page companies they will start to grimace every time they have to have an interaction with them. Whether that terrible customer service and reputation in servicing Local will begin to impact their greater reputation and image I don't know. But it could very well. Local could be the next big bonanza for Google or it could be its Waterloo....interesting times indeed. Thanks for communicating your efforts back here. I would love to know when the page gets changed in the general index and when your record finally changes. Mike Hi David

Updates to Google Maps takes 6-8 weeks AFTER Google has indexed the Qigong page and moved the page into their Maps Index. So it could be several months for you to see results.

To me it is interesting that Google, the warm and fuzzy search engine is taking such a low cost, dam the torpedoes approach to Local. It sure generates immense ill will in the small business community and they (you, me and the others) are both users and potential purchasers of their services.

Certainly, while Google is providing marketing returns businesses will continue to use them but like dealing with the old Yellow Page companies they will start to grimace every time they have to have an interaction with them.

Whether that terrible customer service and reputation in servicing Local will begin to impact their greater reputation and image I don’t know. But it could very well.

Local could be the next big bonanza for Google or it could be its Waterloo….interesting times indeed.

Thanks for communicating your efforts back here. I would love to know when the page gets changed in the general index and when your record finally changes.

Mike

]]> By: David Goodman http://blumenthals.com/blog/2008/11/03/the-complexities-of-listing-management-in-the-google-age/comment-page-1/#comment-281348 David Goodman Fri, 07 Nov 2008 14:55:38 +0000 http://blumenthals.com/blog/?p=1361#comment-281348 Mike, thank you for all your kind assistance. Qigong Institute webmaster was obliging by taking down the listing, but the change has yet to reflect on GoogleMaps. I don't understand how this company can ethically and morally live with itself. I certainly could never do business the way Google does. They sure want to sell you their products, but they have absolutely no desire to honorable and help when their system causes the client damage. In my opinion, people should stay away from Google altogether and boycott the company until they stand up and make a change, and become a "client centered" company like we are at Jupiter Counseling (Jupiter, Florida). And like you, Mike. Thanks again for your help. You're a stand up guy! Sincerely, David Goodman Mike, thank you for all your kind assistance. Qigong Institute webmaster was obliging by taking down the listing, but the change has yet to reflect on GoogleMaps. I don’t understand how this company can ethically and morally live with itself. I certainly could never do business the way Google does. They sure want to sell you their products, but they have absolutely no desire to honorable and help when their system causes the client damage. In my opinion, people should stay away from Google altogether and boycott the company until they stand up and make a change, and become a “client centered” company like we are at Jupiter Counseling (Jupiter, Florida). And like you, Mike. Thanks again for your help. You’re a stand up guy! Sincerely, David Goodman

]]> By: Mike http://blumenthals.com/blog/2008/11/03/the-complexities-of-listing-management-in-the-google-age/comment-page-1/#comment-280113 Mike Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:29:22 +0000 http://blumenthals.com/blog/?p=1361#comment-280113 I don't have a good understanding of the legal issues but it sounds that there are few legal grounds for a SMB to stand on once they have agreed to the TOS. I don't really know the legal issues and would love to have someone explain clearly what is what. Mike I don’t have a good understanding of the legal issues but it sounds that there are few legal grounds for a SMB to stand on once they have agreed to the TOS.

I don’t really know the legal issues and would love to have someone explain clearly what is what.

Mike

]]> By: MiriamEllis http://blumenthals.com/blog/2008/11/03/the-complexities-of-listing-management-in-the-google-age/comment-page-1/#comment-280100 MiriamEllis Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:47:50 +0000 http://blumenthals.com/blog/?p=1361#comment-280100 Hey Mike, I'm home and luxuriating in catching up on all the news I've missed this past week or so. You've given a picture perfect example here of the pitfalls besetting business owners as a result of the prominence of the 10-pack, and the frustration Google's remoteness is causing. I wish the Jupiter fellow luck. He's got some work and waiting to do. Do you ever think we'll see a lawsuit for misrepresentation and damages for this, Mike? Miriam Hey Mike,
I’m home and luxuriating in catching up on all the news I’ve missed this past week or so. You’ve given a picture perfect example here of the pitfalls besetting business owners as a result of the prominence of the 10-pack, and the frustration Google’s remoteness is causing.

I wish the Jupiter fellow luck. He’s got some work and waiting to do.

Do you ever think we’ll see a lawsuit for misrepresentation and damages for this, Mike?
Miriam

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