Google+ Places phonecalls
Just a heads up to everyone about something new (about 3 months old) from Google+ Local, or Google Places, or whatever they go by these days.
You may get a call from them. A (650) area code. They will ask you to verify you listing address, ask you if you see customers at that location or go out to see customers. If you say you go out to see customers and you have not logged into you places listing and checked "Do not show my business address" Your Google+ Local/Places listing will be gone. This is something they changed that it wasn't a big fuss about or they didn't really say a lot or push the info out. You had to really read to find it.
So a lot of the map listings a disappearing, clients are P/Od about it and freak out when they get a call. I stayed up late last night researching the whole issue and found all the info. The rants and stuff people were having on Google groups and everything too.
I do have two questions, no one can answer yet.
1. Does anyone know if when you elect to hide the address on Google Listings, if it will have an effect on placement? Most of my clients are in the 7 box and it would destroy my business if they all fell as most service clients at their location. i.e plumbers, valet parking companies, etc?
2. Why don't the Google employees that call, inform you of the changes, vs just deleting the listing and letting you figure out the problem? Only 2 more sentences of breath used so I don't get the logic in that.
3 Doesn't it make some listings ineffective? If I'm looking for an emergency locksmith, and trying to avoid a trip charge, how can I tell what's closest to me if they are hiding the addresses?
4. Doesn't this crush home businesses that don't like their home address published on the internet, and use virtual address and offices? or does Google feel like they don't count as a "real business" if they aren't brick and mortar anymore. Tell that to Lawyers and such that work from home. or plumbers whose office is at their house, and they travel every where they go.
Anyone have insight on this?
You may get a call from them. A (650) area code. They will ask you to verify you listing address, ask you if you see customers at that location or go out to see customers. If you say you go out to see customers and you have not logged into you places listing and checked "Do not show my business address" Your Google+ Local/Places listing will be gone. This is something they changed that it wasn't a big fuss about or they didn't really say a lot or push the info out. You had to really read to find it.
So a lot of the map listings a disappearing, clients are P/Od about it and freak out when they get a call. I stayed up late last night researching the whole issue and found all the info. The rants and stuff people were having on Google groups and everything too.
I do have two questions, no one can answer yet.
1. Does anyone know if when you elect to hide the address on Google Listings, if it will have an effect on placement? Most of my clients are in the 7 box and it would destroy my business if they all fell as most service clients at their location. i.e plumbers, valet parking companies, etc?
2. Why don't the Google employees that call, inform you of the changes, vs just deleting the listing and letting you figure out the problem? Only 2 more sentences of breath used so I don't get the logic in that.
3 Doesn't it make some listings ineffective? If I'm looking for an emergency locksmith, and trying to avoid a trip charge, how can I tell what's closest to me if they are hiding the addresses?
4. Doesn't this crush home businesses that don't like their home address published on the internet, and use virtual address and offices? or does Google feel like they don't count as a "real business" if they aren't brick and mortar anymore. Tell that to Lawyers and such that work from home. or plumbers whose office is at their house, and they travel every where they go.
Anyone have insight on this?