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Got my first google places client and his listing is already claimed?

by sitefurnace
9 replies
Ok so i got my first places client and thought it was going to be a piece of cake but theres something fishy going on.

It looks like someone has claimed the listing for his business address and is linking to an exact match domain with website for the keyword we want to rank for. Its definitely not the client thats claimed it coz he doesnt even know about places.

The website on that domain has a template on it and contains the clients details. Hes obviously targetting him and i expect them to be ringing him soon with a proposal when the domain hits no.1 in the organic results (currently at 3)

Is this some kind of rent a site type thing going on.

How do we get the listing back under the rightful owners control. Is it a case of getting re-verified with a postcard pin sent to his address?

The other worry is that he has probably been getting business from this setup without knowing it and if i start stirring things up he could loose this business and ill look stupid.

Anyone else experienced this type of thing and how should i deal with it?

Many thanks
#claimed #client #google #listing #places
  • Profile picture of the author LastWarrior
    Originally Posted by sitefurnace View Post

    It looks like someone has claimed the listing for his business address
    "Looks like?"

    Define "looks like". Define "claimed".

    Did you go and sign up a Google Places account for your client? Yes or
    No? You left that part out. Seems you were outside looking in, but took
    no further steps.

    And I don't see how someone can gain control of a listing without first
    getting verified by having that post card sent to the business address.

    LastWarrior
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    • Profile picture of the author jeffrey73
      I've heard some shady marketers are starting to do stuff like this lately, so they can strong arm the owner into a deal. Looks like you're SOL on the domain name.

      As far as places, I'm not sure if the owner could contact Google and make a complaint or not. Knowing Google, they probably won't do a thing about it.
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    • Profile picture of the author sitefurnace
      Originally Posted by LastWarrior View Post

      "Looks like?"

      Define "looks like". Define "claimed".

      Did you go and sign up a Google Places account for your client? Yes or
      No? You left that part out. Seems you were outside looking in, but took
      no further steps.

      And I don't see how someone can gain control of a listing without first
      getting verified by having that post card sent to the business address.

      LastWarrior
      No neither of us have claimed the listing. I have not started any work for the client, definitley not signed up for a google acccount. Ok ill re-phrase "the listing is owner verified" It has been claimed by someone other than the rightful business owner. the only way i think that they could have done it is to use phone verification which is an option, certainly here in the uk.
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  • Profile picture of the author LastWarrior
    sitefurnace, thank you for the reply. I had not figured that about the phone option, as I do it with postcard and PIN to the client's address.

    Originally Posted by sitefurnace View Post

    ...someone has claimed the listing for his business address and is linking to an exact match domain with website...
    Have you done a WhoIs search on the domain name? I bet it's Domain proxied, domain guarded for privacy protection. If not, that's an open door to tell the guy to cease and desist or you(who doesn't know it's the owner/client) will report it immediately to Google.

    If domain is privacy protected, you still can send an eMail to the info listed in the privacy protect. If I did it this way, I would send verified mail with signature receipt along with the eMail.

    If there is contact details or a contact form on the domain, pose as an interested party and possibly act like you want to buy the domain or something.... anything to get his information.

    Just some things to consider.

    LastWarrior
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  • Profile picture of the author redlegrich
    It's easy to steal a listing. Just go in and claim it and change the address and phone number to whatever you want. Postcard is sent to you (no more phone calls I hear) and you get verified. I believe you can go to Google and say the business is yours but I do not know the process. Knowing Google, it likely is a big pain.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dexx
    The business can just reclaim the listing for their business name / address etc.

    No big deal.

    ~Dexx
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    • Profile picture of the author LastWarrior
      Originally Posted by Dexx View Post

      The business can just reclaim the listing for their business name / address etc.

      No big deal.

      ~Dexx
      Besides offering that tidbit of advice...

      How "exactly" do you recommend he to do that?

      ==============================

      redlegrich states: "you can go to Google and say the business is yours but I do not know the process. Knowing Google, it likely is a big pain."

      I was going to offer that same opinion, but I wouldn't know how "big" of a "pain" that would be either. I thought big enough to not even mention it. LOL

      LastWarrior
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  • Profile picture of the author kfira
    just claim it back! the same way
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    Internet marketing help montreal
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