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.

 

[jrobbins]

This customer is a long, long standing respectable retail bank and has had a GBP since before GMB and Bush II was in the White House. Does seniority provide any protection?

 

[fisicx]

This sounds like the client brought another bank and wants to rebrand. Really not sure what will happen. You might be OK but who knows what Google will do. Maybe raise a support ticket and ask.

 

[jrobbins]

Does seniority (the fact that the acquiring GBP has been active for MANY years) matter? And does this fact help avoid suspension due to name change?

 

[fisicx]

Does seniority (the fact that the acquiring GBP has been active for MANY years) matter? And does this fact help avoid suspension due to name change?

The GBP is for the existing company. Their validation, reviews and standing are all connected. If someone buys the business and changes the name above the door, have new contact details and all the documents refer to a different business Google may consider the old business to no longer exists and request re-validation.

You really need to ask the Google support team abut this.

If this acquired business is independent of the main business the standing of the acquiring business is sort of irrelevant. Separate GBP for each.

If the acquired business is to be a franchise or part of a chain there are different sets of rules to follow.

 

[jrobbins]

It is REALLY this simple. Bank "A" is over 100 years old and buying Bank "B" who also is over 100 years old. They are both basic, retail banks that we all are familiar with. This should NOT be an issue but someone keepings pinging me that we "might" get suspensions should we change the name. Each have LONG STANDING GBPs/GMBs.......This is really that straightforward. Can a Google person (hopefully the nice young lady with the red hair and glasses) please chime in? Sorry to be such a pain but this one is important. We have transferred Bank "B" into our account and have NOT changed ONE thing but will need to do so in the not to distant future. Thanx!!!!!