How best to handle these Google listings for a single location local business?

[crosscut01]

I am helping a local business with a physical storefront and would like to consolidate / merge / avoid duplicate listings / preserve reviews.

In an effort not to overcomplicate the issue, I'd like to post 4 Google listings here and ask: How best to deal with these?

I've read for hours over the last few days and have to admit, the picture that Linda posted on these forums sums it up:

Any and all help will be so very much appreciated!

https://www.google.com/maps/place/B...2!3m1!1s0x89e60eb5ae55b045:0xac72db09de29f67a

https://plus.google.com/104144542472471830221/about (hmmm, not visible because not verified yet? Here's a screen shot from the Owner's GMB dashboard):


https://plus.google.com/103199687773542198938/about

https://plus.google.com/110515829610892141870/about

 

[Linda Buquet]

Hi crosscut01,

Ya that image is great! Greg Gifford did it for me.

I have not slept for 2 nights and am totally brain dead. So I'll just address a couple of these and ask a couple Qs.

1) Why are you or are they verifying another listing when there is already at least one that's verified?

2) It's a major violation to have more than one claimed listing for the same business. Normally it won't even let you create a dupe, it will block you.

3) That 1st one is a maps listing. I have carpal pain and can't research. Can you give us the direct G+ L link for that one? I'm thinking it might be the one below.

4) The one ending in 1870 is a verified G+ Local page. Should be the only one. Since it has 1 review just like the listing you gave us on Google maps, I'm guessing this is the same listing. (You just viewed it on maps, but it's this listing.) Can't tell for sure, but I would bet.

5) 9839 is not a G+ Local page. It's just a plain G+ business page. So technically is not a dupe. Won't rank in maps and can't have reviews. So it's sort of a non issue. If you can find the account that created it, you can just delete that one.

 

[crosscut01]

Hi Linda, thank you *so much* for pitching in here.

1) Why are you or are they verifying another listing when there is already at least one that's verified?

I'd hazard a guess that verified 1870 was unknown, unverified 0221 in question was created, then 1870 was found.

2) It's a major violation to have more than one claimed listing for the same business. Normally it won't even let you create a dupe, it will block you.

From what I learned from your Google 101 post, I think they aren't the same kind of listing - is that still a duplicate? If it is, how do I fix that issue?

3) That 1st one is a maps listing. I have carpal pain and can't research. Can you give us the direct G+ L link for that one? I'm thinking it might be the one below.

It is a Maps listing, correct. I'm not sure how to find the direct G+ L link - let me check on that...

4) The one ending in 1870 is a verified G+ Local page. Should be the only one. Since it has 1 review just like the listing you gave us on Google maps, I'm guessing this is the same listing. (You just viewed it on maps, but it's this listing.) Can't tell for sure, but I would bet.

I think it is too, but I do not know how to be sure - maybe someone will point me to a link? The Maps listing says "Claim this Business" - should the Owner do that? If they are the same listing, what are the next steps?

5) 9839 is not a G+ Local page. It's just a plain G+ business page. So technically is not a dupe. Won't rank in maps and can't have reviews. So it's sort of a non issue. If you can find the account that created it, you can just delete that one.

Ok, thank you again - will try to get that done asap.

---------- Post Merged at 10:06 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 09:58 PM ----------

Should I go ahead and nuke newly created and unverified 0221?

 

[Linda Buquet]

Should I go ahead and nuke newly created and unverified 0221?

No don't do anything yet. I'm too tired to think straight.

Let's get another set of eyes on this tomorrow.

 

[Priya Chandra]

Hi crosscut01 and Linda (hope you don't mind me jumping in like this)

The first link you provided (Map link) is the same listing as this unclaimed Google+ Local Page: https://plus.google.com/110515829610892141870/about

I concur with Linda regarding the page that has been created but not yet verified (https://plus.google.com/104144542472471830221/about) this should be deleted from the dashboard and the current unverified Google+ Local page claimed instead.

You can do this by clicking on the "Manage this Page" from the Google+ page or "claim this business" from the Maps listing. Either way, use the same account as for the new page (make sure it has been deleted before you claim the old page though!)

This will send a new verification request and PIN - so the business owner will need to be on the lookout for that.

As Linda mentioned this page: https://plus.google.com/103199687773542198938/about has been disconnected from Maps and won't show in searches. It can sometimes cause duplication issues though so if you do not have the ability to delete it from the dashboard you should get in touch with Google+ support (via support.google.com/business/contactflow) and ask them to remove it as a duplicate.

 

[Linda Buquet]

The first link you provided (Map link) is the same listing as this unclaimed Google+ Local Page: https://plus.google.com/110515829610892141870/about

I concur with Linda regarding the page that has been created but not yet verified (https://plus.google.com/104144542472471830221/about) this should be deleted from the dashboard and the current unverified Google+ Local page claimed instead.

"Linda hope you don't mind me jumping in like this."

Not at all Priya, I was hoping you'd jump in!

But I think there is something important to mention/double check.

1870 is not unclaimed. It's claimed. It's missing the green check mark, but it's verified in a dashboard somewhere. Because it has images and description.

So my 1st recommendation is to try to find that listing and take control of it.
If you try to claim it, when it's already claimed, then you get into an ownership battle.

If the owner can't find it they need to search different Google accounts or see if maybe a staff member or webmaster created and claimed it.

In looking at that one a second time, would you agree Priya?

crosscut01 This is why I wanted you to just hang tight. These things can get so complicated we have to go round and round sometimes to figure out what's up.

 

[crosscut01]

Thanks for lending your expertise Priya.

I'll wait to hear from you too, as I think Linda would like your concurrence on the situation:

In looking at that one a second time, would you agree Priya?

 

[Priya Chandra]

Hi Linda and crosscut01

I agree this page is a tricky one because it does have the description and photos. Which I freely admit I skimmed right over last night - I just went off the lack of a green tick and the "Manage this page" link.



I agree with Linda that the description indicates it is probably in a dashboard somewhere (claimed) but that the verification process never went through (no green tick). And so Google has provided an option for someone else to claim and verify the page via the "Manage this page" link - they want verified pages

If it can be found in an employee's Google+ dashboard and verified from there, then that would be ideal as Linda recommended. They could then transfer ownership to the account you were using crosscut01 for the other page, once the verification has occurred.

However, if it can't be found then I still believe it can be claimed and verified by yourself without any negative implications because Google does want verified pages as (in theory) these ensure their local database data is accurate and without spam.

 

[Linda Buquet]

Thanks for weighing in again Priya! Really appreciate it.

From my experience over the years, unless it's changed, if a listing becomes unverified or never was verified or is deleted from dash, it would lose that description and images, unless any images were user uploaded.

So crosscut try your best to find that listing and transfer as Priya suggested, but if you can't find it you'll have a little extra work to do. You'll need to get Google to email whoever claimed it and try to get them to release it so you can claim it. I think they give it 2 weeks. And there can be other hurdles.

So try to find it. If you try everything possible and can't, then come back and we'll give you next steps to try to get it released from the mystery account so you can claim it.

TIP: This is the point where I used to let the client know, if they could not find the log in, there would be extra work required so I'd have to charge them an additional troubleshooting fee for the extra problems and time it would take. AMAZING how fast they suddenly remember the account the listing was in.

And yes, delete the new one that has not been verified yet.

 

[crosscut01]

And yes, delete the new one that has not been verified yet.

Done.

So crosscut try your best to find that listing and transfer as Priya suggested

Gotcha, working on it now

Thanks again Linda and Priya. I'll be back with updates!

 

[Colan Nielsen]

Hi Guys,

I'm going to make this one interesting. I have to disagree about this page being claimed in a dashboard - https://plus.google.com/110515829610892141870/about I see unclaimed listings like this with a description and photos quite often. It means that it was claimed but isn't anymore.

I just tried to claim and verify it and it didn't give me a message to request admin rights. So it is ready to be claimed and verified.

 

[crosscut01]

Hi Colan,

Does that mean that I can use the " Is this your business" button while logged in to Google using the owner's account to claim and verify?

(I'll wait til everyone has their say!)

 

[Colan Nielsen]

Indeed it should.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[Linda Buquet]

I'm going to make this one interesting. I have to disagree about this page being claimed in a dashboard - https://plus.google.com/110515829610892141870/about I see unclaimed listings like this with a description and photos quite often. It means that it was claimed but isn't anymore.

I just tried to claim and verify it and it didn't give me a message to request admin rights. So it is ready to be claimed and verified.

Thanks Colan, very interesting! I've only seen pages lose everything and return to the stripped down unclaimed state. Plus I remember not too long ago when we were told by G that the green check mark did not always show, even on verified listings. (It was inconsistent and I didn't know that had changed.) So I stand corrected.

crosscut now do you see why I said hang on and let us bat this around?

Priya and Colan are some of the best in the business. Sorry for the flip flopping and confusion. I was wrong on this one.

 

[crosscut01]

We have success!

I was able to use the "Is this your business" button while logged in to Google using the owner's account to claim AND verify the 'old' 1870 listing. G transmorgified it and here's the new link:
https://plus.google.com/102141615720776450407/about

BONUS: this listing is indeed connected to the maps listing from my first post

I did use the owner's dashboard to delete the newly created in error but unverified page that was here https://business.google.com/u/1/b/104144542472471830221/

I haven't found the owner's keys to https://plus.google.com/103199687773542198938/about but am working on getting them in order to delete from that dashboard as well.

Besides that last chore I do believe that concludes this lesson. Thank you! again to Linda, Priya, and Colan who were incredibly helpful in a very timely manner.

 

[Linda Buquet]

Awesome, thanks for letting us know.

Yes we're lucky to have such an awesome team that's always ready to help!