no merging for me, as these are two completely different things. it’s one adorable hacker going through all the industry and making his mark.

can you refer explain shortly how can details be changed in a verified listing, or at least refer me to a post about it?

i am very curious as to how it is done and why Google hasn’t figured out yet how to deal with it.

Again, if one Search Engine is providing customer support and one isn’t…there is no defense for the latter. Secondly if one search engine dominates the market…and similarly is receiving endless complaints about either mistakes in its algos or outright hijackings…and others aren’t…it leads one to contemplate that one Search Engine has a sort of monopolistic control over the business fate of millions. It also has an impact on possible presentation of misinformation to the public.

I think Google should look very hard at Yahoo’s model. Frankly, I assume that both engines have similar quantities of data with regard to local businesses. Both probably present the information in similar ways. If Google is subject to massive spam and hijackings and not reacting to it in an open way…I’d tend to search for local services in Yahoo and tell those I know to do the same. If I find errors with regard to Yahoo’s information (sure there is plenty as with Google) and I know they’ll take a shot at correcting…I’d rather use and suggest Yahoo.

I think the above is a very enlightening article. Frankly, the 10 pacs and 3 pacs of both engines and that of MSN need lots of refinement. I’d suggest people work and spread the word about the one that works at fixing things the best.

@earlpearl
Google and other directories are liable for what they do, or do not do. Federal law and in California (my state) laws are in place, they just need people to report the lack of oversight, and ask for enforcement from their State Attorney General, their district attorney or the US Attorneys. You may not get a response, but you surely won’t get a response if you don’t report.

I am jut one of those wacky locksmiths, who reported what was happening, and got at least phone calls from all, and face to face meetings with the local US Attorney and the local District Attorney.

Will they take on Google? Not likely, in these tight government budget times, but all it takes is one that is not afraid or wants to make a name. It can happen. The State of Missouri’s Attorney General is taking on Yellowpages.com. Small fish in search, but a major player none the less.

We have to do our part and let people out side of this blog know what Google is not doing, and ask them to help.

Last thought;
If you really want to make sure you get a reply from Google write to: legal.support@google.com. For some reason that is one place I can get a response. If everyone does it, the effectiveness goes down, but it’s worth a shot!

Thanks for explaining about the business name. I was really curious about that.

He kept the same name. He was really unawares of the on-line reputation issue and since he grew up in Bradford felt very connected with the place and name. I convinced him to create a slightly modified on-line presence by changing his name to “The Option House Restaurant” from “Option House”. This will allow us to better track the reputation as it moves thru the local ecosystem and gives on line readers a better sense of what he does.

ps I took the liberty of adding your very relevant link. Pls let me know if it is right.

@Dave
There certainly is the bigger issue of Google’s market dominance and non communicative strategy. Thanks for putting this in that bigger context. I was in such a good mood after writing about Sam that I couldn’t spoil it with negativity.

As for the review process, from your description, I wasn’t quite clear whether you were saying that Sam kept the name of the old restaurant as his new business name. Are users associating old experiences with the restaurant because it has the same name as it used to, or simply because it’s in the same building? I’m curious about that.

This is something I wrote about a couple of years ago…when businesses change hands they inherit the reputation of the previous owners. This happens frequently in the hospitality industry, wherein, for example, a hotelier wants to benefit from the already established reputation of The Quiet Pines Inn. These days, with rep. management having become such a big deal online, I would advise business’ to really think twice before keeping an old name on a new business, unless the old business had a totally sterling reputation.

Really enjoyed this post, Mike.