Understanding Google Places & Local Search – Developing Knowledge about Local Search

November 3, 2009

New Google Maps Business Listing Guidelines – What’s Changed

79 Comments »

1. 

   If Google is going to require that businesses use only their legal name as the business title then they should turn down the dial, way down, on the part of the algorithm that uses keyword relevance in the title as a ranking factor.

   Comment by Stever (206 comments) — November 3, 2009 @ 12:03 pm

2. 

   @Stever

   Either that or buy stock in name changing advisors

   Comment by Mike (2500 comments) — November 3, 2009 @ 12:06 pm

3. 

   I follow all of these Mike. In fact, I was recently awarded a google certified halo.

   Comment by Dev Basu (24 comments) — November 3, 2009 @ 12:14 pm

4. 

   Mike:

   We discussed this. In various partnerships we operate 7 businesses. At this moment I don’t know the full legal name of every business. I have to look up the dba name in cases.

   I used to lease commercial space. I can’t tell you how many entities don’t know the legal name offhand. Many don’t do business under that name.

   On a side note, I scanned a lot of restaurants in my region a short while ago. It was astonishing to me how many well established long term businesses hadn’t claimed their local business records. These include businesses with tremendous track records of success over several decades.

   I agree with Steve’s comments above. Google should turn down the element of a business name in a title with regard to their algorithim. Of course if they did that, they would not need to make full legal name a requirement as they just did.

   They should comment publicly Don’t sneak this out in the dark of night. First businesses that change their legal name to a city/service….wins the onebox.

   They should fix their algo, they should comment openly, and as Stever suggested they should tone down that part of the algo that makes the legal name so incredibly important with regard to local search.

   Basically they are establishing all the rules for operating a small business in a community. Who granted them the power? Most business operators don’t even realize they are taking control as most businesses haven’t even claimed their LBC record.

   Meanwhile, I’m now checking on every legal name, checking competitors for their legal names, and beginning to make changes.

   Google has become more intrusive and has a bigger impact than “Big Brother”…..and it is all under the radar screen.

   Comment by earlpearl (784 comments) — November 3, 2009 @ 12:15 pm

5. 

   I completely agree with Steve. Google is taking a step back and basically confusing business owners by disallowing keyword rich titles just on LBC. However, when they need to optimize their website, having keywords in titles, content, images is an important guideline to keep in mind.

   Comment by Shagun Vatsa (2 comments) — November 3, 2009 @ 12:16 pm

6. 

   Thanks for the post! Great info yet again!

   Comment by Jon Davis (1 comments) — November 3, 2009 @ 12:18 pm

7. 

   @Dev

   I am sure you are halo certified.

   @Shagun

   Keyword rich titles has the long term affect of making every business name the same. If you search on San Francisco Computer Repair roughly half of the businesses have taken on that name. Not a very satisfying user experience that’s for sure.

   But the rule, in and of itself, is not adequate to solve the problem that Google themselves have created.

   As Stever and Dave point out, it was their algo that started this rush and now they have a fairly large problem of both quality and enforcement.

   The interesting part from my point of view is how Google will handle violations of this going forward.

   Do they have an algo based way to check? Will the check only occur in the LBC at the time of creation? Will it be retroactive?

   Comment by Mike (2500 comments) — November 3, 2009 @ 12:26 pm

8. 

   While I tend to agree with Google (and Mike) that too many keywords in a business title is a bad experience, there is still something to be said for those keywords getting bolded and increasing clickthrough.

   I think if Google, as Stever suggests, turns back the dial on business title as a ranking factor AND stops bolding keyword matches in business title, they’ll probably get much closer to the user experience they are looking for.

   I actually appreciate the fact Google has given a couple of explicit examples of what violates the guidelines (PO Boxes and Rental properties) and as Dave says, I wish they’d figure out a way to get this information more visible (even though everyone should be reading Mike’s blog anyway!).

   Comment by David Mihm (168 comments) — November 3, 2009 @ 12:37 pm

9. 

   I’ve been checking some of our names. Google absolutely needs to distinguish in specifics between legal name and dba name.

   Exactly what do they mean. Legal names could be wierd, disconnected to a real business or not. I could set up a legal corporation for my Olean computer business but set up a legal name based on some initials important to me…say my kids names, or a family entity….then set up my dba (doing business as) Olean Computer Store. Meanwhile the legal name could be MoeLarry&CurleyBlumenthal LLC

   Exactly what does Google mean?

   Seriously Google, (big brother that you are). Are you insisting that I enter the legal name of MoeLarry&CurleyBlumenthal LLC into my Google Business Record?

   Be more specific; DBA, legal name….or why don’t you tone down parts of your algo?

   Comment by earlpearl (784 comments) — November 3, 2009 @ 1:53 pm

10. 

    I like that things are getting more specific though I understand that if Google comes out with the 10 commandments of local search, then the majority will look to find the sneaky way around the guidelines.

    Business names really don’t need to effect the algorithm. I think the policy is great in requiring the legal name, but how far would Google have gone if their name had to be Search Engine for ranking purposes. With a name like Google, they should be first in line to support businesses with totally irrelevant names.

    I noticed a while ago that someone from Google Maps in the help section mentioned having a domain email address is favored. The reasoning was “trust” related. This was a while ago, so I am glad to see that it became part of the guideline sections since it had already been in effect for quite some time.

    And those complaining that Google shouldn’t role this out in the dark of the night should realize that Google is now expecting Blumenthals.com to make the announcements for local search, and are simply saving online storage space. Mike…shouldn’t you be getting a Google paycheck for this?

    Comment by Mike Ramsey (93 comments) — November 3, 2009 @ 1:55 pm

11. 

    @Mike Ramsey

    I think last time I checked with them, they said the check was in the mail.

    Comment by Mike (2500 comments) — November 3, 2009 @ 1:58 pm

12. 

    @earlpearl

    I would presume that a DBA is considered a legal name as it is legal. In the case of McDonald’s for example they are all done that way.

    PS You now have 299 comments. What is the appropriate celebration when you hit 300?

    Comment by Mike (2500 comments) — November 3, 2009 @ 2:00 pm

13. 

    Comment #300. A bar of soap, a towel, maybe getting google to respond to a couple of questions. Any of those things would be very exciting IMHO.

    Comment by earlpearl (784 comments) — November 3, 2009 @ 3:04 pm

14. 

    OK, so lay on the questions…I can handle the bar of soap, the towel would be theft but lets hear what the questions would be

    Mike

    PS My mother would always take the sugar packets and any left over cookies, would those suffice?

    Comment by Mike (2500 comments) — November 3, 2009 @ 3:08 pm

15. 

    This is systemic of Google’s thinking about itself and the world. Google’s preference, for any search query, would be to deliver the “one true answer”. This of course does not exist, but they can’t see it while wearing the employer issued Google blinders.

    To succeed in the monopolistic world Google is creating, local businesses must become the defacto local monopoly within their industry. This is the direction things are headed. This is a piss poor system.

    Are you a numbered company? Only your bank and the government know and use your legal name. The sign on your door say’s Pure AC, you’re an air conditioning contractor. But wait, you’re actually a full service HVAC company doing heating and ventilation stuff too. Those gas furnaces you sell over there, well you should stop selling them. There is nothing about furnaces, or heating for that matter, in your name. Oh, you do some plumbing stuff too? You should stop that, you’re not a plumber. Just stick to air conditioning, please. Oh wait, I can see you’re a numbered company. That tells me nothing, you should just stop doing everything your doing and get out of business. Ok? Thank you. Next.

    Comment by Stever (206 comments) — November 3, 2009 @ 3:10 pm

16. 

    @Stever

    In the end, they need to stop relying on business name for rank.

    Or they should also set up a free legal team to help change names.

    Comment by Mike (2500 comments) — November 3, 2009 @ 3:14 pm

17. 

    I like the idea of the free legal dept to change names. Then they should also pay for redoing all your branding; paper supplies, changing the websites, the logos, the ads, etc. It ends up costing a bit of money.

    This so reminds me of the business world complaining about the cost of govt. regulation.

    On a more serious note; since they made a proclamation in an environment in which there is no opportunity for further commentary and questions…it appears this be one of the places where Google could further clarify their comments.

    It would be nice if they further explained themselves. (seriously I feel this is more “big brotherish” than govt./tyranny/ etc.)

    I respect your response, Mike, abt DBA’s probably being appropriate…but I’d feel a lot more comfortable if I heard it from Google.

    Comment by earlpearl (784 comments) — November 3, 2009 @ 3:58 pm

18. [...] Barry Schwartz shows both the old and new guidelines, while on his blog, Mike Blumenthal charts the differences between the two [...]

    Pingback by Google Targets Spammers With New Local Business Listing Guidelines — November 3, 2009 @ 4:19 pm

19. 

    Super chart, Mike.

    The business name on Google Maps must be your full legal business name.

    Including LLCs, INCs, etc? Is that really useful?

    PO Boxes do not count as physical locations.

    This is a pain in the neck. Google has got to figure out a solution for local businesses with private addresses…remember, 50% of SMBs are run from home.

    If possible, use an email account with a domain that matches your business URL. For example, if your business website is http://www.giraffetoys.com, a matching email address would be you@giraffetoys.com.

    Hmm…I wonder if this has any effect on Maps rankings. Could be Google has just revealed a little signal there.

    If Dave gets a towel and soap, what do I get?

    A property for rent is not considered a place of business. Please create one listing for the central office that processes the rentals.

    O-ho! Sounds like Google must be having major trouble with people doing this if they’ve included it in the guidelines. I haven’t seen this covered anywhere, Mike, have you?

    Comment by MiriamEllis (636 comments) — November 3, 2009 @ 4:29 pm

20. 

    I often have clients ask me specifically about whether or not they should include an email address in their maps listing info. They are concerned about publicly displaying an email addy where it will get picked up by spam bots, and rightfully so. I tell them that’s up to them, but I won’t add email addresses to mine.

    Comment by Stever (206 comments) — November 3, 2009 @ 4:51 pm

21. 

    Following issues are related to me & they are reflecting ONLY my opinion & conclusions from recent experiments:
    1. The debate on the business name & the listing title is right & good but i really don’t think it’s that strong ranking factor.
    As most of you know, Google is changing their Maps algo frequently, just as they did 1 week ago. prior to this change, the main factor to get into the 7 pack was a specific key word in the category, now you should know that they have put more weight on User Created Content.
    The title… well I’m not going to get crazy because of that.
    2. I’m much more concerned about their definitions of the uses of physical location. Guys, you’ll get more activity by advertising in other cities in your metro area than having a proper title in your listing. How a metro-wide biz should advertise itself? Can’t a Pizza biz located in Oakland CA serve Berkeley CA? maybe they are much better for the user/ customer than their Berkeley located competitors?..
    3. In the past 3 years we saw many new & updated guidelines & regulations. nothing was enforced. do you think it’ll happen this time? Let’s hope so.

    Comment by PureSheer (134 comments) — November 3, 2009 @ 5:19 pm

22. 

    @Miriam

    I told Dave no on the towel (it requires theft on my part)….but I am afraid to give you soap. Any other ideas?

    The property rental issue has been simmering for quite a while and I didn’t write about it because it is so very grey. It showed up in the forums because it lead to so many mergings….if two agents each had listings at a given location…and it showed up in Europe last year.

    @PureSheer
    I think you are correct about the algo change…although I also noticed that listings that did not have strong presence across the total ecosystem (not just user maps) were also dinged…

    Comment by Mike (2500 comments) — November 3, 2009 @ 6:03 pm

23. 

    @Mike

    Right!
    Do you think it has something with a listing’s seniority in the index?
    Other issue-
    How Google can reinforce what is a physical address (e.g. mailbox) & a physical location (e.g. storefront) & for the last- is it a legit physical location or a ‘stolen’ one?

    Comment by PureSheer (134 comments) — November 3, 2009 @ 6:16 pm

24. 

    Dave and I have been discussing it.

    I’d like a sack of organic hickory nuts from the east coast. They don’t grow here and I’ve always wanted to taste them. Are they good, Mike?

    Comment by MiriamEllis (636 comments) — November 3, 2009 @ 7:01 pm

25. 

    Miriam deserves one of those very plush bathrobes they give you at all those luxury hotels you stay in. As long as you are sending her one; rip off the monogram from the hotel and stitch in one with her name.

    Do it right or don’t do it all!!!

    Comment by earlpearl (784 comments) — November 3, 2009 @ 8:42 pm

26. [...] in this Search Engine Land post. There’s also some great discussion in the comments on Mike Blumenthal’s post about the new guidelines. Please share this with [...]

    Pingback by New Google Local Listing Guidelines — November 4, 2009 @ 3:23 am

27. [...] Google has changed its Guidelines for New Listing for Local Business.The new guidelines are listed on Google’s Business Listing Quality Guidelines page. Mike Blumenthal on his own blog gave us the difference two guidelines, Link :  charts the differences. [...]

    Pingback by New Guidelines to track Spammers with New Local Business Listing | Search engine optimization | SEO — November 4, 2009 @ 3:44 am

28. 

    So these guidelines are for new listings, what about the old listings? Will the Old listings that don’t match these guidelines be penalized?

    Comment by Kunal (2 comments) — November 4, 2009 @ 5:06 am

29. 

    @Kunal

    Great question. Google works by algo and exception. By exception I mean that if a listing that is in violation of the guidelines and is reported then they are likely to penalize that specific old listing.

    As they train their algo to spot different types of listings that are in violation, there are likely to be penalties applied to a broad number of listings.

    Who knows which things they will be actively enforcing.

    Comment by Mike Blumenthal (1957 comments) — November 4, 2009 @ 8:23 am

30. 

    Okay, this may answer why one of my sites just went down in the results. Wasn’t something done intentionally but I will change it.

    Thanks!

    Comment by Bonnie (3 comments) — November 4, 2009 @ 8:29 am

31. 

    @miriam

    I agree — the PO Box rule change will really hurt thousands of businesses, if enforced. It hasn’t yet been implemented retroactively — I just checked a client who is listed with her PO Box, and her listing is fine.

    For some categories of small business, (think plumbers, locksmiths) the percentage of home based businesses probably runs way higher than 50%. This could be devastating to those people. Stupid move by Google.

    Neil Street

    Comment by Neil Street (3 comments) — November 4, 2009 @ 9:27 am

32. [...] van Hilten (98 comments) on Google Maps Updates Business Listing GuidelinesBonnie (2 comments) on New Google Maps Business Listing Guidelines – What’s ChangedMike Blumenthal (718 comments) on New Google Maps Business Listing Guidelines – What’s [...]

    Pingback by Google Maps and PO Boxes – When can they be used? | Understanding Google Maps & Local Search — November 4, 2009 @ 9:36 am

33. 

    @Neil

    I don’t think that Google is trying to prevent the use of PO Boxes so much as prevent their abuse. See this new post with details about how PO Boxes can still be used.

    The new rules touch on the whole issue of virtual locations and what is acceptable. Historically, when the costs for virtual locations were high, only high value transaction businesses pursued the strategy.

    For example in the floral business, in the case of remote call forwarding an 800 aggregator would add local phone numbers in every phone book to create the impression of a local presence. Since these numbers have gotten cheap this practice has expanded incredibly.

    Lawyers are another market segment, particularly those in personal injury, that have long set up a desk, a phone in a remote location and hardly ever actually used the office. This practice has been formalized in recent years with whole office buildings in major metro areas that serve this purpose.

    The standards in this whole area are quite cloudy as you move from PO Box, the UPS mail stop, to Remote Call Forwarding to a 6′x7′ office in a rural bank to office buildings filled with nothing but shared, virtual office space.

    What is a bricks and mortar location?

    Comment by Mike (2500 comments) — November 4, 2009 @ 10:17 am

34. [...] can get more information on these guideline changes at Blumenthals. The full list of guidelines for Google Local Business Center can be found at Google [...]

    Pingback by Google’s New Local Business Center Guidelines — November 4, 2009 @ 10:48 am

35. 

    @mike

    I’m not so sure. I think time will tell. To me, there is a lot of ambiguity here. Google is saying you must have a “mailing address” which is usually your “physical address” but can be a PO box if you want to keep your address private. But they also say (and this is the most recent update) that a “physical address” cannot be a “PO box”). It doesn’t really add up. I guess we have to wait and see what happens.

    Comment by Neil Street (3 comments) — November 4, 2009 @ 11:20 am

36. 

    Puresheer:

    Your comments in response #21 are very appropriate. Maps algos are young, relatively unsophisticated compared to google.com and subject to a lot of change.

    Maps are totally unsophisticated to the way people shop. Your comment about a pizza place in 2 nearby locations; Berkeley and Oakland is totally relevant. That is how real people shop. If they find a great place a couple of towns away…that is where they go and that is what they reccomend to their friends. The maps algo is way to rigid at this point to accomodate that.

    There are many places in the US where cross border shopping is incredibly prevalent: Cincinnatti serves Kentucky, Philadelphia serves southern NJ and vice versa, Maryland and Virginia residents of the DC metro region cross border shop all the time, etc. etc. etc. All you need is a change in state taxes and that creates an enormous shopping movement in border state regions.

    Maps absolutely doesn’t respond.

    As to enforcement; who knows. Cripes Google has historically not put people and hours into answering problems that are detailed in the forums. How are they going to enforce these changes. Its a good question.

    Once again a Google rep responding to these points would be helpful.

    (btw: Mike: I really think you should get Miriam hickory nuts and one of those many plush bathrobes you collect from luxury hotel suites. )

    Comment by earlpearl (784 comments) — November 4, 2009 @ 12:20 pm

37. 

    I read your blog post and immediately did an experiment. I removed the keywords from my LBC listing and replace it with my company name. Within minutes, I dropped from #1 on Google Maps for the phrase “columbus ohio SEO” to, well, invisible. It appears that Google’s map algo still uses keywords as part of the ranking formula regardless what the official position is.

    Comment by Dave Culbertson (5 comments) — November 4, 2009 @ 1:07 pm

38. 

    @Dave

    Be careful to not confuse ranking with policy. Six months before their algo started dinging for category and geo cramming, they had explicit policy to prevent it. At some point, when they have the algo, it is likely to be dinged.

    Comment by Mike (2500 comments) — November 4, 2009 @ 1:41 pm

39. [...] comments) on Verification Pin or Pain? Does Phone Verification Work for You?Mike (812 comments) on New Google Maps Business Listing Guidelines – What’s ChangedDave Culbertson (1 comments) on New Google Maps Business Listing Guidelines – What’s [...]

    Pingback by Google Maps Local Business Center: New Warning | Understanding Google Maps & Local Search — November 4, 2009 @ 3:11 pm

40. 

    @Mike – when the formula begins dinging keyword cramming, that’s when I’ll care.

    Comment by Dave Culbertson (5 comments) — November 4, 2009 @ 3:51 pm

41. 

    @Dave

    I would respectfully submit that your listing should stand successfully with or without keyword stuffing in your title. If it doesn’t, you have work to do that you should start now as it might take a while.

    I would also suggest that you have your alternative marketing strategies in place, in case you get banned.

    Comment by Mike Blumenthal (1957 comments) — November 4, 2009 @ 4:08 pm

42. 

    @mike,

    My local listing is pretty well laid out, perhaps with the exception of videos and generating more web pages about myself that Google might also pull in. What do you make of this? When search Google for “columbus ohio SEO” The #1 result is not for a local SEO firm but for the blog of a salesman at a leading local SEO firm!

    Comment by Dave Culbertson (5 comments) — November 4, 2009 @ 4:16 pm

43. [...] Instead of pointing out changes to prohibit spam in the Business Listing Quality Guidelines (Mike Blumenthal chart comparison, Matt McGee recap), the newsletter reflects on the features of Google Place [...]

    Pingback by Google’s Local Advertising Pages For Small Business, ‘Look As Good As You Can’ — November 4, 2009 @ 4:40 pm

44. 

    Mike,

    Thanks for keeping us in the loop.

    Google’s ability (and perhaps willingness) to enforce the “full legal business name” has always appeared extremely limited in the past, except in cases of large-scale spam.

    What are your thoughts on how this will change under the new guidelines, if at all?

    Also, and I apologize for the tangent, do you have an opinion on how adding keywords/city etc. to the business name field might affect Google connecting citations and/or merging listings?

    Comment by Bede (1 comments) — November 4, 2009 @ 8:23 pm

45. 

    One can only guess about Google’s willingness and ability to enforce the guidelines. If they can do so via algo they will do so, if they can’t they won’t. Obviously that can change as they tweak Maps.

    That being said, you second point is more to the point. I think it is absolutely imperative to have a consistent presence across the internet. Thus by adding keywords you run the risk of creating split listings in Google, lost reviews etc. In the worst case it could lead to merging if you and a nearby competitor hit upon the similar title tweaking.

    Comment by Mike (2500 comments) — November 4, 2009 @ 8:37 pm

46. [...] Compare Past & Current Google Local Business Guidelines side by side [...]

    Pingback by Guide To FREE Google Local Business Centre Listings | Hobo — November 4, 2009 @ 9:50 pm

47. [...] Blumenthals (per inciso, uno dei migliori blog sul local search) è stata pubblicata una tabella comparativa tra vecchie e nuove [...]

    Pingback by Stefano Gorgoni » Nuove linee guida per i Google Local Business Listing — November 5, 2009 @ 8:54 am

48. [...] Supplies, Inc.” – as long as you complete the required filings, you have probably met Google’s new requirements for “full legal name” and can claim your [...]

    Pingback by Google Local Business Listings - Getting Assumed Names — November 5, 2009 @ 1:39 pm

49. 

    it seems that Google changed back the guidelines about the business name. now it’s “Represent your business exactly as it appears in the offline world. The name on Google Maps should match the business name, as should the address, phone number and website.” again

    Comment by Stefano Gorgoni (1 comments) — November 6, 2009 @ 1:51 pm

50. [...] on Local Universal Results Now Showing without Phone NumberStefano Gorgoni (1 comments) on New Google Maps Business Listing Guidelines – What’s ChangedMike (823 comments) on Local Universal Results Now Showing without Phone NumberAbby (7 comments) on [...]

    Pingback by Google Changes Guidelines AGAIN! | Understanding Google Maps & Local Search — November 6, 2009 @ 2:18 pm

51. [...] Spammers With New Local Business Listing Guidelines. He cites 2 other recaps of the changes one by Mike Blumenthal and Barry Schwartz. He says: According to Mike’s tracking, there are five new [...]

    Pingback by How to Name Your Business for Google — November 6, 2009 @ 2:20 pm

52. [...] excellent job breaking down the changes in wording when Google performed its update last week and broke out five main changes. The top three are strict rules, while the bottom two are labeled “best practices” by [...]

    Pingback by Google Updates, Re-Updates Quality Guidelines | Small Business Trends — November 10, 2009 @ 10:54 am

53. [...] il Business Center di Google Maps ha aggiornato le linee guida per le segnalazioni delle attività commerciali [...]

    Pingback by La rassegna della settimana (36): novità di Google Maps, una ricerca sui social media e le vendite | TSW Blog — November 11, 2009 @ 12:09 pm

54. 

    The reason for citations is to rank tose businesses with the most relevant content to the query higher. Taking advantage of algorithms by altering the legal name of the business is in essence spam. Nothing wrong with abiding by the rules. Work on your citations.

    Comment by Mike Alfonso (1 comments) — November 11, 2009 @ 3:49 pm

55. 

    NOTHING HAS HAPPENED TO MY SITE. I ASUME, I AM DOING EVERITHING RIGHT.

    Comment by SETAI (1 comments) — November 13, 2009 @ 6:57 am

56. 

    I’m guilty of creating multiple listings in my service area by purchasing a mail box at several Mail Box Etc type locations so I can have a post card validation. Under new guidelines its clear no “Mobile Business” can do this. Having said that Google has now pulled ALL my listings out of results but left my competitors. I’m not sure how I got “marked for death” but I am now forced to give a dozen pink slips to my staff. Based on what has happened to me and other “Mobile Businesses” I feel Google is forcing us to use paid search.

    Comment by Rob (43 comments) — November 13, 2009 @ 2:52 pm

57. 

    @rob

    sorry to hear of your woes. If you haven’t already done so you might want to read this post and the comments. I think that some of the posters offers up good advice for someone in your situation.

    Comment by Mike (2500 comments) — November 13, 2009 @ 7:28 pm

58. 

    @rob

    Why do you think you got kicked off becuse of the addresses issue? I really don’t think that this is the reason.. Have you been informed that this is really the reason?

    Comment by PureSheer (134 comments) — November 14, 2009 @ 5:57 pm

59. 

    @ Mike, Thanks for the interesting post. My situation is similar because I relied heavy on the yellow page books which Google Maps used as an inlay to launch Google Maps. As you can imagine I had 50+ books to service all of southern California so when Google Maps snaked the Yellow pages content for their “own” I was more than happy. Now, after a few years of what I call Google Maps traction I reduced my directory costs to smaller ads so I could budget for AdWords. Although in my industry AdWords is more of a Branding tool than generating a return on my investment I was willing to spend because I believed Google helped me so I wanted to return the favor. Google did help my business but in the end turned it upside down.

    Comment by Rob (43 comments) — November 14, 2009 @ 7:37 pm

60. 

    @ PureSheer,

    I’m not really sure why Google removed all my listings. I simply claimed my Listings that Google snaked from the Yellow Pages and added pictures, services, a small story about myself starting my own business. One thing I can tell you is if Google continues to ruin business’s “especially” in tough economic times I’m almost certain a loose cannon will blow. Just to give you an idea of what Google has done to my business. I lost 65% of my sales volume which is 350k in just 60 days.

    Comment by Rob (43 comments) — November 14, 2009 @ 7:51 pm

61. [...] excellent job breaking down the changes in wording when Google performed its update last week and broke out five main changes. The top three are strict rules, while the bottom two are labeled “best practices” by [...]

    Pingback by Google Updates, Re-Updates Quality Guidelines | Home Business | Drop Shipping | Wholesale | Network Marketing — November 15, 2009 @ 12:26 am

62. 

    @Rob

    Tell me about that.. it happened to me 3 times in the last year.
    The reasons That Google cleaned you up are as follows:
    1. you have used “too many times” your URL. This is quite foggy definition but it’s not changing the result of been kicked off from the index. I saw that you have many URLs in your site that you can use.
    2. Huge amount of listings under a single account. I’m suggesting to make a listing per account. Believe me, after a bad experiences that is what you need to do.

    DON’T GIVE UP!! RECREATE YOUR CAMPAIGN!!

    The mail issue in the new guidelines is absurd!! don’t pay any attention to it. This is what I’m doing! It’s better to be in the index as a “half criminal” than not to be at all. That is what I think.

    My best tip for you- advertise in other places & try not to relay on Google Maps as a main source as leads provider. If you’ll not do so- you’ll not know what is quite; you’ll chaise your tail forever.

    Good luck!

    Comment by PureSheer (134 comments) — November 15, 2009 @ 2:44 am

63. 

    @ PureSheer, Thanks for the vote of confidence. I have an idea of what I need to do to keep under the radar. I will never give in to the madness. I do have several ads I’m testing in San Diego on the “One Box” Paid Local Placement Google is offering. Seems they don’t really care where you are when their compensated. Sheds a new light on what they really think is moral. Now how does Google plan to Cap the advertisers since only 4 can fit atop the One Box Map. I’m sure they will over sell that space and take advantage of the advertiser. Most likely Google will move it into a CPM type product.

    Comment by Rob (43 comments) — November 16, 2009 @ 12:43 am

64. [...] It seems that Google has once again made changes to the Local Business Center that seem like a step backward. You can see a full graphical chart on the changes over at Mike Blumenthal’s Blog. [...]

    Pingback by Google LBC Updated | Unleashed - Web Design Portland, Portland Web Design — November 16, 2009 @ 2:15 pm

65. 

    @ PureSheer,

    I created a new LBC acct. Entered 1 Location with New Unique Phone Number assigned to just One LBC ad. A unique url for the LBC ad. Phone Verified the ad. The ad displays when I click “See your listing on Google Maps ” But when I search out the ad by the NON SPAMMY Business Name and the zip code the listing is no where in site.

    What I’m getting from this is although Google LBC says your listing is confirmed validated and should be visible It really isnt. I’ll paste an example below and notice the date.
    Active
    Posted Oct 14, 2009

    0 coupons ( 0 active)
    See your listing on Google Maps

    Comment by Rob (43 comments) — November 18, 2009 @ 12:47 pm

66. 

    I have been reporting H&R Block for keyword cramming their titles for more then a month. I encouraged other franchisees to report them across the country and they did. Even though they still crammed “income tax preparation service” into their title (their legal name is H&R Block, Inc.). They still appear as the number one listing many times but they are no longer appearing in all of the listings. For example in New York, New York they had a monopoly of the first 3 and a half pages. Everyone was a Block listing. Now they are showing up more reasonably. I beleive the change happened in the past week.

    This board is great. Thanks Mike for the help.

    Comment by roger (7 comments) — November 18, 2009 @ 3:06 pm

67. 

    @Rob
    Well- this is part of the bizzaro world of Google Maps.
    Below, I’ll try to make some order for you.

    - When verifying a listing & it’s goes “Active” in the LBC, it’s a matter of how is your industry is tagged with Google- The more the industry is spammy the longer it takes to a listing not only to be under ‘Active’ status but to go on-line. this is not 100% accurate but here are couple of examples-

    1. Listings that goes live (on-line) in the same time of verifying it- most of the industries.
    2. Listings that goes live in a day or two (e.g. Garage Doors industries, Restoration & Remediation services, etc..).
    3. Listings that goes live in 2 weeks (e.g. Towing industry, Flowers).
    4. Listings that goes live in 3 weeks (e.g. Locksmith industry).

    Be patience, it’ll happen!!
    

    Comment by PurSheer (1 comments) — November 19, 2009 @ 5:19 am

68. 

    @Rob
    Well- this is part of the bizzaro world of Google Maps.
    Below, I’ll try to make some order for you.

    - When verifying a listing & it’s goes “Active” in the LBC, it’s a matter of how is your industry is tagged with Google- The more the industry is spammy the longer it takes to a listing not only to be under ‘Active’ status but to go on-line. this is not 100% accurate but here are couple of examples-

    1. Listings that goes live (on-line) in the same time of verifying it- most of the industries.
    2. Listings that goes live in a day or two (e.g. Garage Doors industries, Restoration & Remediation services, etc..).
    3. Listings that goes live in 2 weeks (e.g. Towing industry, Flowers).
    4. Listings that goes live in 3 weeks (e.g. Locksmith industry).

    Be patience, it’ll happen!!
    

    Comment by PureSheer (134 comments) — November 19, 2009 @ 5:21 am

69. [...] (41 comments) on Google Maps: Tightening down on LocksmithsPureSheer (41 comments) on New Google Maps Business Listing Guidelines – What’s ChangedGlenn Y (15 comments) on Google Maps: Tightening down on LocksmithsStever (119 comments) on Google [...]

    Pingback by Google Maps Local Listing Ad Spam & Other Notes | Understanding Google Maps & Local Search — November 20, 2009 @ 10:23 am

70. [...] put in place clear guidelines in the fall for do’s and don’ts of its LBC, with a few noteworthy changes to combat spam, as well as a guide to the Local Business Center in [...]

    Pingback by Year In Review: Local Search & Maps — December 31, 2009 @ 1:41 pm

71. 

    Google is making life more difficult and no doubt would love to charge to add business’s onto their maps.

    Google maps for business is a basic solution and not the real deal with ViaMichelin or microsoft. I have developed a google API myself and the accuracy is poor and customisation is worse.

    No serious business / company would consider using Google maps for their store / branch finder / locator .

    The latest API’s are so advanced of Google and even their enterprise is poor and overpriced compared to the likes of ViaMichelin and multimap ( now bing ). For coverage in Ireland and content I would suggest you try Viamichelin or for minors business Vm Local for business mapping , Location solutions

    Comment by Nick Wood (1 comments) — February 22, 2010 @ 12:04 pm

72. [...] A great comparison chart on these new rules vs the old rules can be found here. [...]

    Pingback by “Lead Generation” Map Spammers | Naper Design Naperville Web Design — March 15, 2010 @ 3:22 am

73. [...] read Google’s quality guidelines carefully and perhaps look over Mike Blumenthal’s chart of Google Places guidelines which were updated near the end of 2009. Drifting over into breaking one of Google’s rules [...]

    Pingback by Thoughts On Local Search Ranking Factors » Nodal Bits — June 17, 2010 @ 8:02 am

74. [...] last rolled out the last major Places Quality Guidelines update almost exactly one year ago. There have been a number of often critical additions (here, here and [...]

    Pingback by Google Places Updates Quality Guidelines | Understanding Google Maps & Local Search — November 17, 2010 @ 10:42 am

75. 

    As I mentioned this before, Google goes way to far in trying to create an equal playing field. They are actually doing the complete opposite. These new rules, and guidelines, and the combo algo are geared to the much bigger businesses who can afford to all take all the steps necessary to be successful. In my opinion they are ruining the end user experience as well. I am sorry, but I dont think there is anything wrong with a criminal lawyer having their title reflect that, or a painter reflecting that. It is ridiculous..It makes it easier for me to know what I am getting. I mean I dont want to call a Injury lawyer, if I need a dui lawyer…and if I want a lawyer in Houston, I dont want to call one in Dallas…If I was to be listed in the yellow pages, my title would describe who I am. what I do, and where I do it…Why is that a problem? As far as the addresses are concerned…If someone is willing to pay for a UPS box, cuase it is more cost affective then a virtual office, and they want to expand by doing so, then who cares. That is smart business move…..Google became relevant cause we the people made it relevant…We made people care, and now that people care, and spent time and money to promote their services in multiple locations, or let people know what they do, and offer via the categories, Google decides it is not good. It is not fair, and the rich keep getting richer. It is ok to be detailed on your website with the titles and descriptions, and very necessary, so why just leave well enough alone…I am not a fan of spamming at all, but being descriptive is fine with me, and makes it easier for me to find what I want in a timely manner. I like the new interface, but personally the need to be more flexible on their policies, or we should all find another search engine to promote…The world of advertising, marketing, and SEO is desciptive in nature….Lets people know what they are getting!! They are turning this into a sterile enviornment, where the average person will never be able to compete…

    Comment by David Faltz (4 comments) — November 19, 2010 @ 2:38 pm

76. 

    Mike, thanks for the post. I run the marketing for a cell phone store franchise owner. We have 45 stores, all with unique locations and phone numbers. I’ve claimed all our stores and all is well for 4 months. Then, today my account got a nasty red bar at the top saying it has been suspended.

    I have used no keywords in title, and have seemingly followed all guidelines Mike listed above. One guy I talked to said I should “start over”, but this wasn’t much of an answer, as I would simply do the exact same listings again for what? To spend 2 weeks redoing it all and getting suspended again?

    I would really appreciate any feedback you guys have.

    Comment by MitchB (1 comments) — January 5, 2011 @ 2:34 pm

77. 

    pOst Boxes do not count as physical locations.

    This is a pain in the neck. Google has got to figure out a solution for local businesses with private addresses…remember, 50% of SMBs are run from home.

    Comment by raj singla (1 comments) — February 8, 2012 @ 2:04 am

78. [...] first added the prohibition on the use of PO Boxes in 2009 after widespread abuses of the feature to create [...]

    Pingback by Google Places Updates Quality Guidelines on the Use of PO Boxes | Understanding Google Maps & Local Search — February 8, 2012 @ 10:07 am

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