rent Google Places?

There is a WSO that covers this (but, for selling leads). However, this is not a smart way to build a business. Aside from the fact that your listing(s) could be easily reported and removed due to noncompliance, you also risk hurting your client's listing/ranking (if they have one/any).

Deceitful business practice.

Not a good idea. In the long run it doesn't help you nor a future client.

This would be a pay per call basis so I don't see how it is hurting their listing. My listing would be the only 1 I am gambling with.

Regardless of what everyone else says.... At the end of the day you will do whatever you want.

But, it's a terrible idea.

thanks for the feedback guys

It can hurt their listing - possibly.

Here is a possible scenario:

If your client is already listed in google places...and you rank your 'fake' google places listing and start forwarding traffic/calls to their business, it only takes one, disgruntled competitor to see where you're directing your traffic and/or forwarding your calls to. If they call the number and the person on the other line gives any clues about who they are (what their business name is etc.), it won't take long for your jealous competitor to realize that your client has duplicate listings in google places and report you. After that happens, you either run the risk of having the listings merged and penalized - or worse, removed altogether. If google figures it out, they will not know (or care) that it was a listing that you created...they will just assume that your client created the double listing for their own benefit.

There are many ways to hurt your competitors with google places - and some people WILL stoop to those levels.

It's one thing to build a business on sand and feel safe knowing that you have 100+ clients. However, putting your clients at risk and possibly hurting their business is not only bad practice, but you may be setting yourself for legal troubles.

You deal in a shady way like this and you will attract shady clients.

And to second the note above... I do Google Places for clients and if I ever caught a fake listing, I would report it in an instant. Other business owners may never catch the trick, but other marketers sure will.

I completely agree. It doesn't take much to damage a client relationship, and if they happen to be a talker it could seriously damage your business. Its not worth the risk.


Posted from Warrior Forum Reader for Android

I would just focus on listing their business instead of building a fake one. Definitely a good idea to follow Google's rules.

Plus, I feel like trying to rank a fake listing in a competitive market would be difficult.

Sean

I don't think this guy was talking about listing a business for a client...instead he is talking about setting up a business name of his own and Po box and just selling the leads... I don't recommend this tactic because Google will eventually find you out but you still might be able to get away with it for a while...How long i don't know but I think it's worth a shot and it's really not deceitful like every ne is saying it is

I got that wso, I would not risk my business doing this.

what wso are you referring to?