Comments on: LBC Workaround to ‘Flagged waiting for content check’ bug?

By: Google Places – You Are Not Rejected, Not Suspended – You are in Places Purgatory | Understanding Google Maps & Local Search

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 10:01:29 +0000

[...] a Google Places listing, the words Fountain, domination and stripper are banned along with sex and erection regardless of context. These words require priestly interventions to have their flags cleared but [...]

By: chris

chris — Sat, 08 May 2010 16:27:59 +0000

thanks! my listing is now active with a simple scan of the client’s site!!!

cheers mate

cYa

By: GoogleSpeak – “We currently do not support the location” = Banished? | Understanding Google Maps & Local Search

Fri, 07 May 2010 09:01:19 +0000

[...] at providing meaningful feedback in the Google Places management area (aka LBC) to businesses that encountered errors in entering their record or when being given a penalty. For a while this trend was improving as the [...]

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 11:28:16 +0000

Since the time when this post was written there has been some improvement in how the flagging process works, at least in theory. There is an algo that flags certain words/behaviors. Theoretically in 3-4 weeks a human can/will unflag it IF the language use is appropriate. That is in theory anyways.

There are several problems with the practice. One such problem is that if it is unflagged ANY change to the record whether involving the suspect word or not will cause the flag to reappear and the process to start over again.

Despite Google’s claim of a 2-4 week review period many, many seem to take longer but some listings do finally manage to get unflagged. If however there is anything in the record that is inappropriate (defined very broadly) the record will sit flagged for ever. For example if you use your Places Page as your URL, it will sit flagged and NEVER go unflagged until that is removed.

Additionally, in theory, flaggings reported into the forums will be dealt with in an expedient manner by Google staff. That also has proven to not be the case.

Finally, rules for flaggings change with no notice so a behavior that was ok previously but now is not will cause the flag with no process for notification.

It is better than it was but it still really, really sucks!

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 01:37:13 +0000

I have been fighting Google over my Business placing in Google Local Business after reading this page I was amazed that the word ERECTION isnt allowed in my listing, I own a construction and we specialize in Structural Steel Erection.

Thank you Ken for your work around!

Mark

By: Clive Hawkins

Clive Hawkins — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 01:37:31 +0000

Yes, if you use the word ‘Google’ anywhere in your listing description or categories it tends to trigger the Flagged listing. Remove the word and you should be OK!

By: Tony

Tony — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:51:42 +0000

Hi CWD – did you really mean ‘Goolge’ (as per spelling in your comment) ?

If not, I guess you fell foul of the same banned word as my ‘ Google Checkout’ comment above (comment #69).

We have a great example to post in a week or so – a most entertaining example

Tony

By: CWD

CWD — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 03:34:23 +0000

I have just had this problem; and guess what I used the word “Goolge” in Google and got flagged. just removed Google and listing is fine once more.

Funny if you are an SEO.

By: PureSheer

PureSheer — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 22:04:52 +0000

@Jeff,
Just one request- as you know, not only ‘white-hat’ locksmiths are reading Mike’s Blog & the fact that Google Flagged Locksmiths listings is not “just because”…
I must nicely request from you not to give any tips in a blog but in an off line media. What will happen if the scammers will read your suggestions & combine them with some new techniques in order to dominate again the 7 packs? I really don’t want to go back to the ‘Dark Age’ we’ve suffered from in the last 2.5 years. Please, please help me/ us to block this option; let guys come to a conclusions alone & with their own paste.
Hope you’ll understand..
Thanks!

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 05:09:51 +0000

It may not be the word locksmith. You have to remove everything from the listing except the business name, phone, address, website, email. Choose 1 category from the selection Google gives you. Then submit it. If you get approved, then add a little more copy and submit it again. It is a slow and painful process. If the word locksmith is a problem – try lock repair, lock smith, lock-smith, fix locks…