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Is Google really Validating Places Listings?

by squadron
8 replies
  • SEO
    • |
I had a call at 15:06 Brisbane time yesterday from whom I believed to be a worker for Google who wanted to validate our Google Places listing.

He asked to confirm the best phone number, the street address, the primary business classification and current hours of operation. He then thanked me and 5 minutes called back on the primary number I had given him.

His accent was what I believe to be Filipino-American. The first call was from +16502532000, the second was from 00011976000.

Has anyone else had similar calls? Do you believe they are the real deal? He was polite and did not try to sell me anything.
#google #listings #places #validating
  • Profile picture of the author TheContentAuthority
    Squadron,

    I first saw a thread like this on another forum and immediately thought that it may be a scam. Not saying that your situation isn’t but Google does do this. Apparently they try to verify companies if there has been suspicious activity or for other reasons.

    Here is a post on the topic,

    Google Now Calling to Confirm Google Places Community Edits & Verification Issues | Understanding Google Places & Local Search

    Hope that helps,

    Shawn
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    • Profile picture of the author palms
      Not a scam. I've been called by them 4 times to verify local info. One time I gave them a new piece of info and after the call was over I checked the listing and the new info had been included.

      Of course this still doesn't mean scammers won't attempt to fool people by posing as "Google."
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  • Profile picture of the author Kung Fu Backlinks
    I've heard stories of those that don't answer well enough and then their listings get removed Glad to hear that didn't happen to you.

    Other clients of mine have been asked to provide scanned copies of business licenses. Those are legit requests, too.
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    • Profile picture of the author squadron
      Originally Posted by Kung Fu Backlinks View Post

      I've heard stories of those that don't answer well enough and then their listings get removed Glad to hear that didn't happen to you.
      I must say I was tempted to hang up or tell him to F*** Off. I get so many calls from overseas about SEO (usually on Friday afternoons for some reason), it is the default response :rolleyes:

      I'm pleased I didn't now.
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  • Profile picture of the author presotto
    I am in Brisbane too. I have had two of these calls, each one within a couple of days of me making changes to my places page.
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    • Profile picture of the author squadron
      Originally Posted by presotto View Post

      I am in Brisbane too. I have had two of these calls, each one within a couple of days of me making changes to my places page.
      From what I've read on other sites, If somebody "community edits" your listing with a correction or update, you may also get a call.
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  • Profile picture of the author samual james
    I do have lots of local listing but i haven't received any sort of mail or call to verify the details but if someone tries to modify your listing then you should get call or mail to verify.
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  • Profile picture of the author PerformanceMan
    Google is a marketing company. They're just updating the info so they can use it for marketing.
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