{"id":3548,"date":"2009-06-03T08:00:28","date_gmt":"2009-06-03T12:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blumenthals.com\/blog\/?p=3548"},"modified":"2009-06-02T14:09:14","modified_gmt":"2009-06-02T18:09:14","slug":"verification-pin-or-pain-does-phone-verification-work-for-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blumenthals.com\/blog\/2009\/06\/03\/verification-pin-or-pain-does-phone-verification-work-for-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Verification Pin or Pain? Does Phone Verification Work for You?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Recently David Mihm had a very insightful piece on problems with Google Maps<\/a>, quality, security, complexity and the LBC. One of his criticisms revolved around the phone verification process. He noted:<\/p>\n

As if the\u00a0verification process weren\u2019t cumbersome enough<\/a>, the exact \u201cflow\u201d of Google\u2019s automated phone message leaves many business owners thinking \u201cWhat do I do next?\u201d \u00a0I haven\u2019t helped a client claim a listing since\u00a0Google changed PIN entry from touchtone to web<\/a>\u00a0last week, but prior to that shift, it was a very poorly constructed message which ended without any confirmation that it had actually worked. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Another issue\u2013what about phone numbers that ring to an automated central answering center, as in \u201cThank you for calling Joe\u2019s Plumbing. \u00a0Press 1 for Joe, 2 for Sally, 3 for Irene,\u201d etc.? \u00a0 There\u2019s no reason for that business to have to fight through the postcard verification process.<\/p>\n

I would love to hear your experiences and frustrations with the PIN system both old and new. Here is a report back from Joan Van Hilten an operations manager working with Map listings with her details of trying to get pin approval under the new method.<\/p>\n

Hi – Well so far I’m batting 500 ( I think that’s the right terminology) \u00a0I’ve tried unsuccessfully 4 times to use the new and improved PIN verification process.\u00a0….<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Each time the number has been deemed invalid. Another time (as in just 20 minutes ago) \u00a0it failed again.<\/p>\n

Me: \u00a0Okay Ms Client. Google will be calling you with a PIN number. \u00a0Take note of it and let me know what it is. \u00a0I’ll enter it into the Business Centre and your listing will be verified.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ms Client: When will Google be calling? \u00a0<\/p>\n

Me: Right now.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ms Client : \u00a0Okay the PIN is 18***\u00a0<\/p>\n

Me: \u00a0Thank you – you PIN is invalid. Shall we try again?\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ms Client : Yes certainly.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Me: Google is calling you now.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ms Client: The PIN is 57***\u00a0<\/p>\n

Me: Oh dear the Business Centre isn’t allowing me the option to enter that PIN code in. It’s only allowing me to send a Post Card.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Google may be experiencing a few hiccups right now as they are upgrading with the reporting view (yippee) however; it’s really putting a cramp in my professionalism when it kacks out on me like that. It’s so embarassing.\u00a0
\nWhere do you look? What do you say? \u00a0\n<\/p>\n

When I tried on Friday – the same thing – the PIN was invalid and when I tried to enter it – then when I initated another call – it spawned a second call and then shut me down – only allowed a Post Card.\u00a0<\/p>\n

I hope whatever bugs there are it works a bit better. \u00a0<\/p>\n

I hate to keep having to make apologies on Google’s behalf.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Joan<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Recently David Mihm had a very insightful piece on problems with Google Maps, quality, security, complexity and the LBC. One of his criticisms revolved around the phone verification process. He noted: As if the\u00a0verification process weren\u2019t cumbersome enough, the exact \u201cflow\u201d of Google\u2019s automated phone message leaves many business owners thinking \u201cWhat do I do …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":262,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3548","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-google-maps-google-local"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t