GBP Transfer Concerns

[jrobbins]

Hello,

This issue I am sure has been covered in numerous shapes and forms but......

We have a client who is honestly (from experience) concerned with suspensions and re-verification triggers involving a GBP transfer. They are approaching a transfer that will involve , among other things, a name change...Can we get some of the obvious/not so obvious actions that could trigger these negative outcomes as part of this transition? As always, we really appreciate the input!

 

[fisicx]

Don't change the name!

 

[jrobbins]

Fiscix,

The name will HAVE to change effective mid-June. Why does changing the name (which legally WILL BE the NEW NAME) "post GBP transfer" trigger anything? Can someone chime in?

 

[fisicx]

Get the transfer done first. Make sure the new owner has full control of the profile and able to post.

Then look at doing the name change. But Google really doesn't like name changes as they are often the result of fraud. Not suggesting this is the case here but just how Google sees things.

Consider also changing the name could wipe all the reviews (because it's not longer the same business).

 

[jrobbins]

Thank you. Are there any actionable ways that a name conversion can be executed to avoid re-verification/suspension? Ergo: "CompanyA a div of CompanyB" THEN after a period of time (at or after conversion) change name to "CompanyB"?

 

[fisicx]

Possibly. I'm not a GBP expert but I do know name changes are frowned upon.

Works like this. Dodgy company A buys the profile of company B (with a good reputation). They change the name on the profile to Company A and gain a good reputation with all the reviews and so on.

Or someone sets up a profile and works hard getting loads of fake reviews and whatever and sells it to dodgy Company A who then changes the name.

This is why Google doesn't like name changes. It's because of fraud. Especially if the email address, possibly the trading address, telephone etc has also changed.

Your idea might work. But it could easily trigger a re-verification.