Removing...or Requesting Removal of Duplicate Google+ Local Listings

[1LocalBusiness]

First things first...THANK YOU Linda for all that you do to disseminate the Google Places/+ Local chatter that matters, and all the info you share!

Please forgive me if recent action is posted elsewhere, I couldn't find it on search or in Google forums. Just seeing if the process for removing dupes changed...or if I never had it correct in the first place.

Issue Description: removing duplicate G+ Local listing

Dental client with 1 confirmed G+ Local listing & 1 (unclaimed) duplicate listing that has been reappearing and now seems here to stay:

Dental Smilemakers: Michael S. Meilink, D.D.S.
5 NW Barry Rd.
Kansas City, MO. 64155
(816) 436-8949
Good listing verified over 12 mos ago.
Categories: Dentist, Cosmetic Dentist

Confirmed G+ Local:
https://plus.google.com/100992038087197433702/about?hl=en#100992038087197433702/about

Unconfirmed Dupe G+ Local:
https://plus.google.com/114389559675551013834/about?gl=us&hl=en#114389559675551013834/about

Recent Action:
Set up new Google+ Business Page 8/24/12 (waiting on postcard verification), and submitted request to merge newly created G+ Business page with G+ Local page (the good one) - dupe listing was there before.

Previous Actions:
We have used the troubleshooter link in the past with on again off again results. Duplicate listing now seems to be on again, and remaining so.
Someone else (other consultant) had also previously confirmed (APR 2012), then suspended dupe listing in different Google Account - worked momentarily in serps.

Dupe listing now remains unclaimed and visible on serps. I have not posted in Google forum.

Am I to believe the duplicate removal process is still, report a problem (hidden) or use troubleshooter link?

 

[Linda Buquet]

First things first...THANK YOU Linda for all that you do to disseminate the Google Places/+ Local chatter that matters, and all the info you share!

Ahhh thanks for the thanks! Happy to help!

OK so this is a little complicated due to fact the claimed listing has practice AND Dr. name.

But yes something has changed. Google will no longer remove what I used to refer to as Dr. dupes BUT in your case it's more complicated.

In TYPICAL situations (just to explain in simple terms) the practice listing with just practice name would be the one you optimize and maybe the Dr listing you would consider a dupe and would want to have deleted or merged. G will no longer remove Dr listings. And if they create 1 for the practice and one for each Dr because they each have citations then she won't remove them.

Your case again is different because the main listing has BOTH practice and Dr listing. I specialized in Dentistry and did combo names like that on some of my listings, but now that G won't remove Dr dupes I can see where the combo name could created problems.

Please read these 2 posts that explain in detail. Read bottom one 1st or it won't make as much sense. Search Results doctor duplicates - Google Places Optimization Blog

The best way to deal with dupes these days is via the troubleshooter IMO because then you get a support person you can explain things to in more detail or follow up with if/when needed.

In this case though, I wonder if they will see the CLAIMED listing as the Drs listing because it has his name and therefore they may not remove the listing that's for practice name only?

Come back after you read those and let me know what you think.

 

[1LocalBusiness]

I read 'em both back then, and again now to refresh me memory.

From cursory searches me thinks Google did just that - made the 'good' listing the DR listing. Doh!

Looks like its 2 listings to manage & optimize now.

Plan:

1. Use troubleshooter link to report dupe.
2. Await communication & hope for removal/consolidation of dupe listing (because its solo practitioner?)
3. If not, confirm and optimize dupe listing with practice attributes as you mentioned in those blog posts. (urls to dr page on dr profile, home page on practice profile, category resets)

You know what they say about wishes...

 

[Linda Buquet]

Good general plan but not sure it's best. I guess 1st see if they'll remove. If not, then come back and let's brain storm it before you do anything.

BECAUSE if they are already ranking well the changes you mentioned above could upset the apple cart and turn everything upside down. Plus which one links to home page is going to impact ranking and should be the strongest listing. I can't really advise in too much detail without totally digging in and researching which don't have time to do now. Have consults to get ready for, for other consultants. So let's just wait and see what support says 1st but I'm pretty sure I know what they'll say.

 

[1LocalBusiness]

Will do, thanks for the insight Linda!