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Remember all those times here and in training I've said wait -don't merge your Google+ Local listing with Google+ and pointed out that Google was still saying wait, don't merge as well? This is why and this is where we are heading...
Google has started to automatically upgrade local listings that have the new Places for Business dashboard into full Google+ Business pages with all the social and video features.
You don't need to verify again or create a G+ page or even click the G+ widget. You no longer even need a personal Google+ profile for it to happen. And you don't need to worry about the accompanying glitches that came along with the merge process on some listings. Google is automatically upgrading the page to add all the social features for you!
Reports started coming in here at this forum from folks that were getting the auto upgrade. Google had been gradually starting to upgrade some listings but had not announced it yet. So I told Google that you guys were letting the cat out of the bag and they should probably confirm what was up.
So Jade posted the following update at the Google forum in the sticky about the new dashboard.
So there you have it. A confirmation that auto updates is where we are heading and that's all the info there is at this point. Again, if you don't have the Google+ widget or upgrade link yet, just hang tight.
Folks have been getting confused about what they feel is contradictory wording about the personal profile. I agree the way it's worded is confusing and have had to clarify it a couple places.
Basically if you wait until you are automatically upgraded, no personal profile needed. If you want to manually upgrade before then, one is needed.
Here is the corresponding help doc.
And here is a copy of the email that's going out, compliments of Matt Cheah in the other thread.
And here is Mike's post about it: Google Now Auto-Merging Google+ Pages Into Google Places Dashboard Listings
I'm calling this an upgrade not a merge. Because a merge would be if you already had 2 pages and they were merged together. In this case there IS no G+ page, your listing will be automatically upgraded into one.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
If everyone has one page - the same page... it eliminates all this crazy branding confusion with all the page names for one thing.
Plus you don't have to merge or verify or upgrade, with the associated bugs that process had.
This will make everything so much easier for everyone - consultants and business owners alike!
One page - the same page for all! Then it will simply be a matter of whether or not you choose to use the social features.
I'm sure this will create lots of questions and what ifs... as I get more info I'll be sure to update you guys. Ask any questions below and I'll see if I can get answers from Google for you.
Google has started to automatically upgrade local listings that have the new Places for Business dashboard into full Google+ Business pages with all the social and video features.
You don't need to verify again or create a G+ page or even click the G+ widget. You no longer even need a personal Google+ profile for it to happen. And you don't need to worry about the accompanying glitches that came along with the merge process on some listings. Google is automatically upgrading the page to add all the social features for you!
Reports started coming in here at this forum from folks that were getting the auto upgrade. Google had been gradually starting to upgrade some listings but had not announced it yet. So I told Google that you guys were letting the cat out of the bag and they should probably confirm what was up.
So Jade posted the following update at the Google forum in the sticky about the new dashboard.
More details about the improved look and feel of Google Places for Business
Update - August 20
Starting today, some pages managed in the new Google Places for Business dashboard will be automatically upgraded to have social features. We will send out emails to users whose pages are automatically upgraded letting them know. Users who have upgraded pages will see a link to Visit your Google+ page in their dashboards. A personal Google+ account (profile) is not necessary in order to utilize social features on local Google+ pages that are automatically upgraded.
If the listing for your business is not automatically upgraded and you are interested in social features, you may be able to use the Google+ widget to upgrade the page manually. (You can read more about the Google+ widget in the update from April 11 on this post -- scroll up.)
Please first make sure you follow these criteria:
You must have verified your business in your Places account.
Your Places for Business email address should also have a Google+ profile.
Your page must be in a category that is eligible for Google+.
If these apply to you, you will see a Google+ widget in your dashboard inviting you to upgrade. Simply click Get your Google+ page to upgrade. This will create a local Google+ page in Google+ that is tied to your Google+ account. You will be able to update this page from both Google Places for Business and Google+.
If you do not see the Google+ widget yet, or don?t have the upgrade link in your widget, sit tight while we work on getting a smooth upgrade process in place for you.
(Bold, underlines by Linda to help clarify)
So there you have it. A confirmation that auto updates is where we are heading and that's all the info there is at this point. Again, if you don't have the Google+ widget or upgrade link yet, just hang tight.
Folks have been getting confused about what they feel is contradictory wording about the personal profile. I agree the way it's worded is confusing and have had to clarify it a couple places.
Basically if you wait until you are automatically upgraded, no personal profile needed. If you want to manually upgrade before then, one is needed.
Here is the corresponding help doc.
And here is a copy of the email that's going out, compliments of Matt Cheah in the other thread.
And here is Mike's post about it: Google Now Auto-Merging Google+ Pages Into Google Places Dashboard Listings
I'm calling this an upgrade not a merge. Because a merge would be if you already had 2 pages and they were merged together. In this case there IS no G+ page, your listing will be automatically upgraded into one.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
If everyone has one page - the same page... it eliminates all this crazy branding confusion with all the page names for one thing.
Plus you don't have to merge or verify or upgrade, with the associated bugs that process had.
This will make everything so much easier for everyone - consultants and business owners alike!
One page - the same page for all! Then it will simply be a matter of whether or not you choose to use the social features.
I'm sure this will create lots of questions and what ifs... as I get more info I'll be sure to update you guys. Ask any questions below and I'll see if I can get answers from Google for you.