Change Of Category And Signage!

[spainops]

Hi,

I wanted to change the primary and secondary category of my clients verified GMB. Those changes didn't get applied so I messaged Google live chat.

They said they would sort them for me. But they didn't go through so I messaged them and now they are saying his signage isn't good enough

His category is Doctor and I want to change it to Skin Care Clinic. He shares his facility with a Dental Company (he rents). He has proof that he rents the address from them. They (the Dental Company) have 95% of the signage. I don't think that's unreasonable?

As far as I know there is no written word as to Google's signage policy i.e. exactly what is required so I was thinking of appealing and saying the issue here is that he isn't a Doctor in the sense of a GP (general practitioner) and it's more important to get that changed as people are finding him on "Doctor searches". I can also show proof he rents it.

Is there a danger they may suspend the listing until signage is improved? Do you think I may have success without adding more signage?

Any help or knowledge appreciated.

Thank you.

Si

 

[Colan Nielsen]

Are you saying GMB support said you can't update your categories because you don't have signage? I've never heard of that happening before.

 

[spainops]

When I tried to change them it wouldn't change. This message appeared at the top of the page - 2019-10-09_0759

That's when I contacted Google

 

[Colan Nielsen]

There's a good chance it could be related to a potential bug with categories. Edits to GMB Not Saving - Local Search Forum

We're waiting on confirmation from Google on whether or not this is a bug.

 

[spainops]

There's a good chance it could be related to a potential bug with categories. Edits to GMB Not Saving - Local Search Forum

We're waiting on confirmation from Google on whether or not this is a bug.

OK thanks for that

After more conversations with Google I thought they were going to escalate this so the category could be changed by themselves. But not yet!

I received this email:

We have performed our checks and we would would like to advise you to either provide storefront pictures of the businesses that are currently operational and appearing at the same location. Otherwise, please update a suite number(if there is any) where your business is actually located.

Also we would like to let you know that if you update the address, you might have to verify the listing once again as changing address of a listing is considered as a major change to the business listing. If the address updated on the business listing is already complete in itself, then you will need to provide storefront pictures of all the operating businesses at the same location otherwise the concern cannot be raised to the dedicated team for further help.

I'm sure I have read about multiple businesses having GMBs out of the same EXACT address (for example doctors in a hospital). So it is possible correct?

There is only one storefront - multiple dentists and my client (skin care) operate from the same storefront. The dentists each have the same phone number (different GMB name) and my client has his own phone number in the GMB and own name. None of the businesses are using suite numbers and for obvious reasons I don't want to change his address.

So to my mind it's the Dentists who share the same phone number that may have an issue?

Any ideas what my best response should be to Google when I explain they all use the same store frontage (my client has added his own signage) and have the same address?

Thanks for any help here - this is really frustrating and dragging on

Si

 

[Colan Nielsen]

Any ideas what my best response should be to Google when I explain they all use the same store frontage (my client has added his own signage) and have the same address?

Send Google a photo or a video showing the signage.

 

[spainops]

Yes I had done that - then they came back with questions about the other businesses. The thing is they don't state what the issue is just keep coming back with more questions. Grrrr

 

[spainops]

My client works from a shared "office" where different dentists always work (on different days).
My client isn't a dentist - he is a skin care specialist.
So different clients have a GMB with the same address. No suites. No unit numbers.
I'm sure this can't be a unique situation.

So there is one storefront ONLY and one door ONLY. I have explained this to Google and agreed to add permanent signage to the door for my client. This was discussed via chat (over one hour).

I also emailed the rep who I first spoke to and explained this. BUT she replied with:

"As informed earlier, we have performed our checks and we would would like to advise you to either provide storefront pictures of the businesses that are currently operational and appearing at the same location.

We would like to know that without permanent storefront pictures of all the business, we cannot proceed further in order to resolve your concern"

So frustrating - why are they ignoring what I say to them

Any ideas? Any point me taking it to the GMB forum?

Would love some help!

Thanks

Si