Comments on: Google Places – Do 800#’s Put Your Listing in Places Purgatory?

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 17:42:03 +0000

@Nick
Perhaps the odd area code did play a roll

@Terry
There are also penalites around geo phrases in the title. But most changes since the 27th revolve around the much heavier current reliance on organic strength.

@Mike R
I think you are right. Although it seems in some account, Google is starting to circle back and apply some of these new restrictions.

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 17:39:25 +0000

@Mark

I would agree that the phenom is not new… the method of punishment though appears to me somewhat new (within the past 6 months). There is not much written about what causes the entry into purgatory nor how to get out of it…. this case is just one of the solutions.

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 17:35:53 +0000

This is not really a new phenomena. We first experienced the toll free flag a few months back and no longer submit client toll-free numbers at all. It really is incredible the power Google is having over local businesses. Pretty soon all small businesses will be like the companies in Texas (you know Longhorn Steakhouse, Texas BBQ, Texas Dental, Lonestar Taxes, etc) and will have to file DBA registrations as “Florist Los Angeles” or “Plumber Palm Springs”. I guess it is a normal transition though… reminds me of companies named AAA Whatever to be ranked at the top of Yellow Pages books.

By: Mike Ramsey

Mike Ramsey — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 16:52:50 +0000

My feeling, and has been this way for quite some time, is that the reject algo is very new and a lot slides under the table. I think it also comes in to play a lot more on new accounts or accounts that update information while a lot of people with older accounts slide through the back door to the ranking party.

So, 800 #’s are more than likely going to hurt and drop rankings but a few people will get by un-harmed….like false business titles, locations in categories, and the ever changing penalties for the description box that only seem to hit a few.

By: Terry Van Horne

Terry Van Horne — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 16:17:41 +0000

Hmmm interesting… I have a client that has both the local and #800 for both biz and fax. They are servicing locally but have another part of the business with customers all over Canada and the world. They have lousy placement now due to the changes in local… but before the Oct. 27th they had held good positions just having the city in the title and using the usual contact info on every page.

By: Nick Phillipps

Nick Phillipps — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 16:09:18 +0000

Was just a regular phone number like what you would have in your home. Had a normal area code, just not for the right area.

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 16:02:40 +0000

@Nick
When you say a geo number what exactly do you mean? a call tracking voip number?

By: Nick Phillipps

Nick Phillipps — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 15:26:27 +0000

Hmm,
The account that i had condemned wasn’t using 0800 numbers. However it was using a geo number that went to a different location (the main booking office).

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 14:10:43 +0000

@Ryan
I am with you. Although we will never know if Purgatory is a binary state (single cause, in or out) or based on a continuum… ie does it need a score of 8 out of 10 and by changing that one item they fell below the threshold?

Theory aside, not using an 800 number has always made sense and more so now.

By: Ryan Miller

Ryan Miller — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 13:54:16 +0000

While I’ve always recommended people use their official local (not a call tracking number either) over 800s in Google Places, this is the example to top off my official Places Do’s an Don’ts sundae.