Fixing a Canadian postal code without suspension: direct edit or suggestion?

[JS Girard]

It's not entirely uncommon for a Canadian postal code to be the only part of the address that is incorrect on Google. Usually the first three characters (forward sortation area) are correct, but the last three are not not. Traditionally, we've fixed these with suggestions, with the presumption that any address edits would trigger a revalidation.

Recently, I've been thinking: there are address aspects you can change without a revalidation. For example "line 2", for suite numbers, usually can be edited with minimal risk (in Quebec anyway!). Since changing the postal code does not actually move the pin, I have been wondering... Does fixing the postal code without changing anything else reliably trigger a revalidation?

Anyone has experience with trying this?

 

[ElizabethRule]

I do not have experience with this exact situation, but I assume changing the postal code would trigger a reverification just like any other major address change. The second line (suite number) is typically not something Google Maps requires to drop a pin, so it makes sense why editing that section would be less likely to cause a reverification. However, the postal code is required for the pin. If Google's system needs to move the pin at all, or thinks it might so it rechecks the address, you may run into a reverification. That said, I have seen small address changes go through with no reverification needed, so if it matches the website and other online records, it might go through.

Did you try editing it in the dashboard? How did it go?

 

[JS Girard]

I do not have experience with this exact situation, but I assume changing the postal code would trigger a reverification just like any other major address change. The second line (suite number) is typically not something Google Maps requires to drop a pin, so it makes sense why editing that section would be less likely to cause a reverification. However, the postal code is required for the pin. If Google's system needs to move the pin at all, or thinks it might so it rechecks the address, you may run into a reverification. That said, I have seen small address changes go through with no reverification needed, so if it matches the website and other online records, it might go through.

Did you try editing it in the dashboard? How did it go?

We did not try it. Our typical clientele has a very hands-off attitude and doesn't want to be involved in managing the GBP, so it's especially important (at least from management's point of view) to avoid revalidations as much as possible.

 

[ElizabethRule]

Did you edit it via Maps and it worked? Or are you just leaving the postal code as it is because the pin is right?

 

[JS Girard]

Did you edit it via Maps and it worked? Or are you just leaving the postal code as it is because the pin is right?

Personally I'm of the school of thought of "don't disturb it if it work", but the request to fix it usually comes from clients and SEO has very little power to say no to sales (don't ask why) for something like that.

We always go through suggestions, and it usually works.