Google has just announced that the process for integrating your Google+ Local page (aka your Place Page) with the social Google+ Business Page is now live:
Verification available for local pages created in Google+
Hey guys,
For those of you that have created local Google+ pages (with social features) — good news! Today, you can become the verified business owner for that local Google+ page.
In essence, this will combine the page you created in Google+ with the page in Google+ Local (formerly Places listing). Your business’ presence across Google Search, Google Maps, and Google+ will be unified. You’ll be able to manage this page from Google+ Pages admin. Check out the Meatball Shop for an example of a combined page, with both social features and reviews.
If you’re ready, just click on Verify now on the right side of the page. You’ll need to verify that you’re representing your business by having a postcard sent, even if you’re a verified business owner on Google Places for Business. Also note that verification will only work for pages created in the “Local Business or Place” category in Google+.
The new upgraded pages aren’t yet available for those that just have local Google+ pages with reviews. We’re working on getting the upgraded experience to all business owners. If you’re curious, go ahead and create a Google+ page in the local category.
Got questions? Reply here — I’ll update this post with answers.
Thanks,
Jade
This process WILL require reverification of your listing and as Jade points out it is not yet available to businesses that do not yet have a Google+ Business page. The ability to upgrade a standalone Google+ Local page is still a ways off.
So, let me make sure I understand since I heard a lot of people at MozCon who were having these issues.
If you created a Google+ Page (essentially a brand page for Google+) and you also had a Google Places page that was converted to Google+ Local you can now merge those two into one combined listing that is then managed through the Google+ Page.
Correct?
Comment by AJ Kohn (4 comments) — August 3, 2012 @ 3:38 pm
@AJ
I don’t think that you can merge a Google+ Business Brand Page. It has to be a Google+ Business Local page to be merged (at this point). And as I udnerstand it there is no way to convert a Google+ Business Brand Page to a Google+ Business Local Page.
Comment by Mike Blumenthal (1944 comments) — August 3, 2012 @ 5:03 pm
Okay, so essentially if you have a current Google+ Page in the right category (Local Business or Place) then you can do the merge.
https://skitch.com/ajkohn/ekih6/create-a-google-page
But if you set it up as a Product/Brand or Company/Institution you’re out of luck right now.
Comment by AJ Kohn (4 comments) — August 3, 2012 @ 5:12 pm
@AJ
You got it
Comment by Mike Blumenthal (1944 comments) — August 3, 2012 @ 5:34 pm
I think this is good news! I am going to go try to merge a couple and see how it works.
You know someone said the abilty to make complicated things simple is genius. Well.. Google is no genius!
Comment by Mike bayes (27 comments) — August 3, 2012 @ 6:03 pm
@Mike
See my step by step. I think you will find this very easy, other than the wait for the post office to deliver the card.
Comment by Mike Blumenthal (1944 comments) — August 3, 2012 @ 6:06 pm
It is very easy. We will see how the merger goes. Thanks for the information Mike!
Comment by Mike bayes (27 comments) — August 3, 2012 @ 6:30 pm
Hi Mike,
When we last spoke, we made changes to my Place/+Local page. Those changes have yet to show up and I’m wondering if I should hold up on merging until they do?
Thanks!!
Comment by Keith E. McGahey (35 comments) — August 3, 2012 @ 7:46 pm
@Keith
To the best of my understanding this has no impact on the data pipeline. I see no difference one way or the other.
Comment by Mike Blumenthal (1944 comments) — August 3, 2012 @ 10:46 pm
So, will clients be able to leave reviews at the new merged Google+ “Page”? Is it safe for the clients to leave reviews at the new Page? Google already blew out my client reviews going from Google Places to Google+.
Comment by Sid (2 comments) — August 7, 2012 @ 9:15 pm
@Sid
Yes clients can leave reviews. It is as safe as it ever was.
Comment by Mike Blumenthal (1944 comments) — August 7, 2012 @ 9:38 pm
So if I understand this right, once we merge the two pages we will be able to update both the pages from our Google Plus Business page? Will we be able to share access to this page with several other people?
Comment by Stephen Jensen (1 comments) — August 13, 2012 @ 6:20 pm
@Stephan
For the most part You will be able to update the single merged page from the Google+ Business page with the exception of categories that still need to be updated from the dashboard.
You can have as many as 50 managers of the G+ Business page.
Comment by Mike Blumenthal (1944 comments) — August 13, 2012 @ 6:51 pm
Quick question (open to all) I own a tiny franchise, Started my Google Plus page awhile back, recently head office asked me for my PIN (came via sms to my cell)…now it seems my page is considered as one of 2 verified accounts associated with my listing…we have limited control of our page. Any ideas what I can do? (tried to reverify my listing…and it has partial worked as I have slightly more control)…I am STUCK and pretty upset! any info would be awesome.
Comment by Cliff (1 comments) — August 20, 2012 @ 8:31 pm
Hi Mike, the whole Google Plus local thing has been a nightmare for me, even for my own account let alone my clients.
I’ve verified my own business page, but now my listing has dissapeared from the local rankings and I still can’t tell if it has been merged or not.
My google plus local page says its verifed but I can still edit it via the old places method.
Does this sound right to you Mike?
Comment by Ian (8 comments) — September 4, 2012 @ 12:59 pm
Ian
Yes it sounds right. You still can edit via the dashboard if you want.
Comment by Mike Blumenthal (1944 comments) — September 5, 2012 @ 4:06 pm
[...] fully social G+ Page for local, while very limited, has surfaced very few bugs. The rollout which occurred on August 3rd has been smooth by Google standards for local but any time a company strives to [...]
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So, how do I know if I have a Business Brand page or a Business Local page?
Comment by Greg (41 comments) — September 21, 2012 @ 7:47 pm
@greg
The local Plus page has a map on it.
Comment by Mike Blumenthal (1944 comments) — September 21, 2012 @ 7:56 pm
[...] figure out what to call these pages is but a foreshadowing of bigger issues. When the product was released in August, it seemed to indicate Google’s new direction. There was speculation (me included) [...]
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