STOP IT! The New Google + Local is NOT a GAME CHANGER!

72 replies
I'm tired of seeing all these threads and emails about the new update. I'm even more irritated by all the misinformation being promoted.

This update is SO irrelevant to ranking... because it wasn't a ranking algorithm update. It integrated features, and switched how it was included in the interface.

What will be important? MAYBE to have a company google + page.. that makes sense, right? Other than that... everything is the same.

People are using scare tactics leading for you guys to buy a report in order to get the answers and they'll come up with an elaborate scheme. In a couple days, you will see WSO's published on how to take advantage of this new system. You will see a new WSO of the day claiming to be able to steer you to the right direction and rank your clients.

Come on guys.... this is stupid.

Someone mentioned you will need unique IPs, you will need to be from the city of the business you're reviewing, and all this other junk. It's bogus misinformation that they have no grounds for their stance.

Google places is still here, you can still manage it, and it is still most important for you to complete your listings and build citations. That is the biggest thing. You don't need to be in 1,000 circles, you don't need a single +1(+1s do nothing in terms of rank, only for personalized searches).

Want to rank and get your customer ranked in Google places, or google + local?

1.) Complete your listing, all pics, all info, all videos
2.) Build Citations
3.) Create a company Google + page
4.) Get reviews
5.) Optimize your website to reflect targeted keywords
6.) Integrate a map on your website

This update is kind of irrelevant for iphone users though... maybe now? Or coming up in June supposedly they will have their own default local listings. Of course iphone users can download the google + app... but I'm not sure why they would. I don't know anyone that truly enjoys Google +.

Anyway... guys...and girls... there is no reason to freak out or think that everything is changing because it isn't. google is just trying to find a way to make a dismal social network more successful and find a way that their acquisition to be put to bigger use.

No sense in worrying about something like this... worry about the NEW penguin change.
#changer #game #google #local #stop
  • Profile picture of the author umc
    What is the "NEW penguin change"? Are you just referring to Google Penguin as being fairly new, or is there a new change imminent? I ask, not because I'll understand, but because I'm trying to learn.
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  • Profile picture of the author TheCG
    You talk about something changing and everyone gets all worked up, don't they?

    Change is all a part of business and life in general. Roll with it.

    I am sure there will be a couple dozen new WSOs by the end of the week to lay things out for you. hahaha
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  • Profile picture of the author mojo1
    ok lord iamnameless. we shall all stop talking now, have a seat and wait until you tell us what to share and think about on the forum
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    • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
      Originally Posted by mojo1 View Post

      ok lord iamnameless. we shall all stop talking now, have a seat and wait until you tell us what to share and think about on the forum
      It's just ridiculous how much hype is going on about a FEATURE CHANGE and not a ranking change... nothing has REALLY changed except the fact that you possibly receive slightly more exposure now.

      People say places are gone, but they really aren't. I'm beginning to wonder if anyone really has looked into this before claiming it's the end of the world.

      Why have 10 posts all about how it's changing everything for their clients, when it indeed is changing NOTHING!?

      Originally Posted by Angela V. Edwards View Post

      Yeah, I saw a thread earlier that had a whole list of "the things that are in the new local algorithm" and how it's much, much harder to "game" it, including things like people asking for driving directions and such (who uses those; don't we all have GPS in our car or on our phone nowadays?). I want to know where people get this sort of stuff; I haven't seen that in my own research. After almost 4 years working with backlinks, I've found that many folks simply pass along misinformation that they've either heard or that they've thought up on their own. Most of it just simply isn't true.
      That's the industry though isn't it? With SEO and backlinking you get a ton of misinformation. I also saw something claiming that google + is going to be more popular than facebook. Google is forcing users to use Google +... I personally don't see why anyone would like to use Google + if it were it's stand alone network.

      As far as gaming it, I saw that too... there is no need to game it. It is illegal to financially gain from false reviews so that would be a bad idea to do for your clients anyway. It's just not necessary to try and game the system, it's so easy to get ranked as it is!
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  • Profile picture of the author Angela V. Edwards
    Yeah, I saw a thread earlier that had a whole list of "the things that are in the new local algorithm" and how it's much, much harder to "game" it, including things like people asking for driving directions and such (who uses those; don't we all have GPS in our car or on our phone nowadays?). I want to know where people get this sort of stuff; I haven't seen that in my own research. After almost 4 years working with backlinks, I've found that many folks simply pass along misinformation that they've either heard or that they've thought up on their own. Most of it just simply isn't true.
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  • Profile picture of the author Angela V. Edwards
    P.S. People on vacation OFTEN eat at new restaurants and such and then may review a place after they've returned home, so saying that because their IP is not in the city of the place they are reviewing, it doesn't count just CAN'T be true. That throws out all vacationers or folks who are on business trips and all of that.
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  • Profile picture of the author grey38
    I definitely saw this as a better possibility, especially since this should be around for the next couple years. (one could hope) However my issue is working with Google+. It seems all over the place. I've never delved into it as I should have when it came out, ages ago in IM time.
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  • Profile picture of the author moodykitty
    My problem is I tried to do this for a site I'm setting up in another area. Google requires an address to send me a post card to verify. The niche site is a mobile business so there won't be an address. I haven't rented/sold the site yet so I'm not sure how to go about this and build citations ...
    thanks for the information, btw
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    • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
      Originally Posted by moodykitty View Post

      My problem is I tried to do this for a site I'm setting up in another area. Google requires an address to send me a post card to verify. The niche site is a mobile business so there won't be an address. I haven't rented/sold the site yet so I'm not sure how to go about this and build citations ...
      thanks for the information, btw
      That is a problem whether it was a month ago or right now. You need an address otherwise how can you say you're local? You can have your address in there and build citations with the same address and be fine... you don't need to serve clients at your location, but you definitely do need an address otherwise you aren't going to show up. You might be better off just getting a good domain and ranking it without the local listings if you want to avoid the address issue.
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      • Profile picture of the author moodykitty
        Thanks. Yeah, it's a bit confusing to me. I'm new to offline marketing, trying to follow the Google Love 2 method. The niche I chose is a mobile service. The first site I set up is in Phoenix AZ, I did get a virtual phone number but no address. I think I chose way too big of a city with too much competition because I can't seem to get any love from Google. The site is new, created 5/24, so maybe I need to be patient. Guess I was hoping if I followed GL2 methods I would see some quick results.

        Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

        That is a problem whether it was a month ago or right now. You need an address otherwise how can you say you're local? You can have your address in there and build citations with the same address and be fine... you don't need to serve clients at your location, but you definitely do need an address otherwise you aren't going to show up. You might be better off just getting a good domain and ranking it without the local listings if you want to avoid the address issue.
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        • Profile picture of the author PeckhamPirate
          Originally Posted by moodykitty View Post

          Thanks. Yeah, it's a bit confusing to me. I'm new to offline marketing, trying to follow the Google Love 2 method. The niche I chose is a mobile service. The first site I set up is in Phoenix AZ, I did get a virtual phone number but no address. I think I chose way too big of a city with too much competition because I can't seem to get any love from Google. The site is new, created 5/24, so maybe I need to be patient. Guess I was hoping if I followed GL2 methods I would see some quick results.
          There's your problem - Google Love.
          May have had some value a year or so ago, but it's worthless in my humble...

          It's from the school of great theories that don't work that well in reality.

          My apologies to anybody 'bossing' search engine results for terms like 'plastic coated shirt buttons in Boise Idaho' or 'late night emergency false tooth dentist in Tashkent'.

          Is the new Google+ Local a game changer?
          Well you have to consider that Google Places does work for millions of businesses all over the place, and is popular with users.

          I've actually been setting up a G+ page up for new G Places clients, since the start of the year, and at least a couple I checked on last night had moved from top 7 to top 3

          I agree with NameLess, the best policy is just keep doing what we do.
          What this has given us is one more thing to dazzle or baffle potential clients with, and a new service to offer.

          By the way, I presume that at some point the new review system wil be given a glossy coat, cos right now it's nowhere near as sexy as the old stars, and also that Google will introduce a new easy fill review form that pops up all over the place, making it ever easier to leave opinions - and in the process if neccersary, set up a Google account.
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        • Profile picture of the author ishboo
          Originally Posted by moodykitty View Post

          Thanks. Yeah, it's a bit confusing to me. I'm new to offline marketing, trying to follow the Google Love 2 method. The niche I chose is a mobile service. The first site I set up is in Phoenix AZ, I did get a virtual phone number but no address. I think I chose way too big of a city with too much competition because I can't seem to get any love from Google. The site is new, created 5/24, so maybe I need to be patient. Guess I was hoping if I followed GL2 methods I would see some quick results.
          I don't have experience with setting up "mobile only" sites. But I can tell you that what IAmNameless said about just getting a good local domain name and ranking it is the best way to go is totally true. If you are going to pick a city, start with the one you are living in.

          It's the easiest way to go. The only reason I say this is, I am having a copywriter (she used to work with Corey Rudl) write my sales copy for my offline marketing business and she needed 5-7 testimonials and case studies in order to make a killer offer.

          Problem is I can't reveal all of my client's sites or keywords, so I can't prove the results.

          So I asked her if I could setup some sites and rank them really quick myself for local keyword searches. I only had two weeks to do it since she said she was starting my project in two weeks. I got SEVEN new niches and FIVE new sites in my local market ranked in LESS than two weeks!

          That means **100% of the sites I set out to rank did so in 2 weeks or LESS!** And many of them have multiple listings on the first page of results and are beating out the REAL businesses that serve those markers in my area. Half of them took LESS THAN A WEEK!

          Now I can lease those sites out, or show them as examples of what I am able to do for these real businesses, and charge them more to do the same with their own websites (sometimes it is easier to play on their ego than to rent your sites for chump change every month -- and you get to charge more!)

          I know some will be thinking that I chose keywords and niches that I KNEW I could rank for. Or that were super non-competitive. Truth is...

          I chose niches from super low competition like tree removal to super high competition like apartment listings in a specific area and real estate (the highly competitive ones are getting 1,300 and 3,600 searches per month in EXACT MATCH). Listen, ranking them is easy, at least, for me.

          It has NOTHING to do with how big the city is. It has everything to do with the backlinks, the content on the site, backlinks, the HTML code, backlinks, and the keywords you choose. Oh, did I mention backlinks? (The key here is to backlinks portfolio from different sources and to develop a daily, weekly, monthly backlinking plan that you or outsorced workers can follow to keep them relevant and consistent with the market and the site you are working for).

          I am thinking about offering my services as a white label solution to offliners since I am so good at it. It sounds like a lot of people are good at getting the sales to come in, but not provide the services. Or they feel there is too much to learn.

          Let me know if you need any help?

          My advice? Ditch getting a mobile site ranked. Just get a real site ranked and mobile optimize it so it shows up on search results no matter what device a person has.
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          • Profile picture of the author D37
            Originally Posted by ishboo View Post

            I don't have experience with setting up "mobile only" sites. But I can tell you that what IAmNameless said about just getting a good local domain name and ranking it is the best way to go is totally true. If you are going to pick a city, start with the one you are living in.

            It's the easiest way to go. The only reason I say this is, I am having a copywriter (she used to work with Corey Rudl) write my sales copy for my offline marketing business and she needed 5-7 testimonials and case studies in order to make a killer offer.

            Problem is I can't reveal all of my client's sites or keywords, so I can't prove the results.

            So I asked her if I could setup some sites and rank them really quick myself for local keyword searches. I only had two weeks to do it since she said she was starting my project in two weeks. I got SEVEN new niches and FIVE new sites in my local market ranked in LESS than two weeks!

            That means **100% of the sites I set out to rank did so in 2 weeks or LESS!** And many of them have multiple listings on the first page of results and are beating out the REAL businesses that serve those markers in my area. Half of them took LESS THAN A WEEK!

            Now I can lease those sites out, or show them as examples of what I am able to do for these real businesses, and charge them more to do the same with their own websites (sometimes it is easier to play on their ego than to rent your sites for chump change every month -- and you get to charge more!)

            I know some will be thinking that I chose keywords and niches that I KNEW I could rank for. Or that were super non-competitive. Truth is...

            I chose niches from super low competition like tree removal to super high competition like apartment listings in a specific area and real estate (the highly competitive ones are getting 1,300 and 3,600 searches per month in EXACT MATCH). Listen, ranking them is easy, at least, for me.

            It has NOTHING to do with how big the city is. It has everything to do with the backlinks, the content on the site, backlinks, the HTML code, backlinks, and the keywords you choose. Oh, did I mention backlinks? (The key here is to backlinks portfolio from different sources and to develop a daily, weekly, monthly backlinking plan that you or outsorced workers can follow to keep them relevant and consistent with the market and the site you are working for).

            I am thinking about offering my services as a white label solution to offliners since I am so good at it. It sounds like a lot of people are good at getting the sales to come in, but not provide the services. Or they feel there is too much to learn.

            Let me know if you need any help?

            My advice? Ditch getting a mobile site ranked. Just get a real site ranked and mobile optimize it so it shows up on search results no matter what device a person has.
            Are you ranking above or below google places listings?
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            Thank you to everyone on WF for all the great information, help, support, and kindness you have all shared!

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  • Profile picture of the author globalpro
    Nathan,

    Great info as always, especially since I was just getting the hang of places.

    Thanks,

    John
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  • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
    Want to rank and get your customer ranked in Google places, or google + local?

    1.) Complete your listing, all pics, all info, all videos
    2.) Build Citations
    3.) Create a company Google + page
    4.) Get reviews
    5.) Optimize your website to reflect targeted keywords
    6.) Integrate a map on your website
    This is exactly what I'm doing for my clients and I've counseled my Zen Master customers the same.

    However....

    I am not happy with the changes and as I've mentioned in another thread, this change is really about getting businesses to promote Google +. So basically Google is trying to build a social network off the back of small business owners and to me that doesn't sit to well.

    Everything else is just speculation at this point as to what if any effects on rankings this conversion will have.

    Besides there's always organic rankings and trust me, its super easy to rank in the organics, even for highly competitive niches.
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  • Profile picture of the author .
    Game changer in What?
    In SEO?
    or in the way Google is pushing companies to use only their services?

    I think it's important to go a bit beyond the "now" and see where they are going....

    is not a game changer, but it's another step towards monopoly and making customers like it or not, use their products.

    my 2 cents
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    • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
      Originally Posted by rankinghero View Post

      Game changer in What?
      In SEO?
      or in the way Google is pushing companies to use only their services?

      I think it's important to go a bit beyond the "now" and see where they are going....

      is not a game changer, but it's another step towards monopoly and making customers like it or not, use their products.

      my 2 cents
      I don't think it's a game changer at all... Other people are acting like it's the end of the world.

      Yeah, I agree with you. The Google Monopoly is a Monster and not going anywhere anytime soon. With the amount of lobbyists they have in DC I think it's safe to say that they will be able to have an uncontested monopoly.

      I really don't like Google +.. I think it's a sorry excuse of a social network and it's sad how the congressional investigation just fell off... You would think they'd be all over THIS but the lobbyists pay well I guess.

      Really though, I don't think it's too bad, it's essentially the same thing, but rebranded. If you think about it... they successfully figured out how to tie in a sleeper of an acquisition and their underperforming social network into something that has always performed well, the searches. It makes sense from a business standpoint to do that, not to mention the branding purposes it serves.
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  • Profile picture of the author .
    Well, keep in mind traffic from Google to fanpages have dropped around 90% since Google penguin . So... many businesses that didn't like Google places are going to even hate more Google Plus.

    Agree. the system sucks, but if you are in this business, anything that customers hate is usually what they end up outsourcing.

    None of my customers hire me to eat chocolate icecream for them.
    They hire me to do the things they hate to do...

    This is one new "oh god web stuff" they will simply want to get someone like you to do for them.
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    • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
      Originally Posted by rankinghero View Post

      Well, keep in mind traffic from Google to fanpages have dropped around 90% since Google penguin . So... many businesses that didn't like Google places are going to even hate more Google Plus.

      Agree. the system sucks, but if you are in this business, anything that customers hate is usually what they end up outsourcing.

      None of my customers hire me to eat chocolate icecream for them.
      They hire me to do the things they hate to do...

      This is one new "oh god web stuff" they will simply want to get someone like you to do for them.
      Very true.. as of right now, this is just another good sign for us!
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      • Here's the straight scoop from Vanessa. An important FAQ to read to get the facts.
        https://productforums.google.com/d/t...akA/discussion

        I blogged some Google+ Local tips, tricks and resources today. (Solid facts not the hypey stuff at all.)

        Tomorrow AM myself and other Google Top Contributors are having a hangout with Vanessa and a couple outher Googlers to dig into some of the finer points and more techy stuff so we can better help users in the Google for your Business forum. So may have more info to blog after I come out of our meeting, if there's anything new I can share publically.
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        • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
          Originally Posted by Catalyst eMarketing View Post

          Here's the straight scoop from Vanessa. An important FAQ to read to get the facts.
          https://productforums.google.com/d/t...akA/discussion

          I blogged some Google+ Local tips, tricks and resources today. (Solid facts not the hypey stuff at all.)

          Tomorrow AM myself and other Google Top Contributors are having a hangout with Vanessa and a couple outher Googlers to dig into some of the finer points and more techy stuff so we can better help users in the Google for your Business forum. So may have more info to blog after I come out of our meeting, if there's anything new I can share publically.
          Good stuff..

          "What about my ranking, does that change with this launch?
          The Google+ Local launch was an interface and design change. But generally speaking, ranking algorithms are always changing, so listings are always moving up and down. There's nothing specific to this launch, but the ranking of a listing a year ago is likely in a different spot now, and it will likely be in a different spot next year, or even next week!"
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  • Profile picture of the author Quentin
    To say 80 million pages moved to google plus and more on the way is not a game changer is just putting your head in the sand.

    This is a huge game changer and opens up all sorts of possibilities.

    Google+ is a great platform and can be utilized for you and your customers business.

    The true comment is not to fret and just take advantage of the change.


    Q
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    • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
      Originally Posted by Quentin View Post

      To say 80 million pages moved to google plus and more on the way is not a game changer is just putting your head in the sand.

      This is a huge game changer and opens up all sorts of possibilities.

      Google+ is a great platform and can be utilized for you and your customers business.

      The true comment is not to fret and just take advantage of the change.

      Google Plus Local vs Google Places | Google+ Local Page review - YouTube

      Q
      I'm guessing you didn't read what I was saying. And it REALLY isn't a game changer... I don't see why anyone can say that it is. Google + for businesses have been in existence. Google places, have been here... it's combining the two. Rankings haven't changed because of this. There is no REAL change in my opinion... other than expanding the reach of local listings.
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      • Profile picture of the author NiceGuyMedia
        Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

        I'm guessing you didn't read what I was saying. And it REALLY isn't a game changer... I don't see why anyone can say that it is. Google + for businesses have been in existence. Google places, have been here... it's combining the two. Rankings haven't changed because of this. There is no REAL change in my opinion... other than expanding the reach of local listings.
        Google has stated several times they care about only one thing, end user experience and as iAmNameLess has pointed out several times in this thread, this update does NOTHING but improve that user experience.

        We at Mr Nice Guy have been saying since Christmas that as the goog devalues backlinks in an effort to promote social media acceptance, things will change but the core values will never...
        good brands, good sites, good content + great user experience = #1 everytime.

        Thanks again iAmNameLess for quelling the storm of bad information brewing!
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        • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
          Originally Posted by NiceGuyMedia View Post

          Google has stated several times they care about only one thing, end user experience and as iAmNameLess has pointed out several times in this thread, this update does NOTHING but improve that user experience.
          Yes you are 100% that is their public propaganda statement but the real facts are that they are now more an advertising company and the reality is that they care the MOST about their stock holders and ensuring that they remain profitable to increase the value of their stock.

          How do they do that? Adwords plain and simple, organic results bring in ZERO revenue for them but of course they have to "say" we want great results but lets make sure they aren't the BEST possible results because that would mean the ads are worthless as no one would find it necessary to click them.

          Anyways this is kind of off topic so I'll stop now. Just don't ever forget the single most important thing to ANY company is and always will be profitability, thinking otherwise is foolishness.
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  • Profile picture of the author mayankgangwal
    Nice post really itz G+. I just gone to my google local listing and updated there. Iamnameless is just awesome. Now it has gone for review and as soon as i got my pin i will updated it
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  • Profile picture of the author beeswarn
    NameLess is right. This isn't that big of a deal, guys. If anything, it simplifies things.

    As I'm looking for trouble and opportunities ahead, I think this is the biggest news from Google in the past week. Google Applies for .Google, .Docs, .YouTube and .LOL Top-Level Domains | TechCrunch
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  • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
    What's the process a customer need to go through who does not have an existing google account to leave a review for a business on G+ now? Can any one give me the step by step blow in bullet or number points?
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    • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
      Originally Posted by Rus Sells View Post

      What's the process a customer need to go through who does not have an existing google account to leave a review for a business on G+ now? Can any one give me the step by step blow in bullet or number points?
      People have always needed a Google account in order to leave a review... but now its a lot more difficult to do.

      1.) Register for a Google Account
      2.) Click Write a review
      3.) Register for Google +
      4.) Fill out your name an info
      5.) Fill out their garbage
      6.) Follow people screen
      7.) click small button to go back to google + local page you were on previously
      8.) Write a review

      In my opinion this does not help their user experience... it makes it worse, and less likely for people who are not avid google users to leave a review.
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      • Profile picture of the author ronr
        While I agree with a lot of what you say, this is a game changer at least for reviews. It was hard enough to get people to leave reviews before if they didn't have a google account, but the steps you show before are just crazy.

        The only people who will leave reviews now are the hard core reviewers which I guess is what Google wants. The average person who just wants to leave an occasional reveiw is not going to jump through all those hoops.


        Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

        People have always needed a Google account in order to leave a review... but now its a lot more difficult to do.

        1.) Register for a Google Account
        2.) Click Write a review
        3.) Register for Google +
        4.) Fill out your name an info
        5.) Fill out their garbage
        6.) Follow people screen
        7.) click small button to go back to google + local page you were on previously
        8.) Write a review

        In my opinion this does not help their user experience... it makes it worse, and less likely for people who are not avid google users to leave a review.
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      • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
        Exactly the point I wanted to make. 8 steps to leave a review!

        Unless you actually PAY or BRIBE people I don't think they are going to leave reviews on Google very much unless you give the the most crappy shopping experience!

        Russ

        Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

        People have always needed a Google account in order to leave a review... but now its a lot more difficult to do.

        1.) Register for a Google Account
        2.) Click Write a review
        3.) Register for Google +
        4.) Fill out your name an info
        5.) Fill out their garbage
        6.) Follow people screen
        7.) click small button to go back to google + local page you were on previously
        8.) Write a review

        In my opinion this does not help their user experience... it makes it worse, and less likely for people who are not avid google users to leave a review.
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  • Profile picture of the author Stranger Danger
    That's so unfortunate. This will cause all of the reviews to be either:

    1. very angry/dissatisfied customers
    2. fake; owner/marketer-generated

    People that want to leave a nice review will not bother as soon as they realize that it's going to be a hassle.
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  • I agree here with you nothing has changed in the rankings factors with the new g+ profile you could'n have said it better.

    Anthony

    Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

    I'm tired of seeing all these threads and emails about the new update. I'm even more irritated by all the misinformation being promoted.

    This update is SO irrelevant to ranking... because it wasn't a ranking algorithm update. It integrated features, and switched how it was included in the interface.

    What will be important? MAYBE to have a company google + page.. that makes sense, right? Other than that... everything is the same.

    People are using scare tactics leading for you guys to buy a report in order to get the answers and they'll come up with an elaborate scheme. In a couple days, you will see WSO's published on how to take advantage of this new system. You will see a new WSO of the day claiming to be able to steer you to the right direction and rank your clients.

    Come on guys.... this is stupid.

    Someone mentioned you will need unique IPs, you will need to be from the city of the business you're reviewing, and all this other junk. It's bogus misinformation that they have no grounds for their stance.

    Google places is still here, you can still manage it, and it is still most important for you to complete your listings and build citations. That is the biggest thing. You don't need to be in 1,000 circles, you don't need a single +1(+1s do nothing in terms of rank, only for personalized searches).

    Want to rank and get your customer ranked in Google places, or google + local?

    1.) Complete your listing, all pics, all info, all videos
    2.) Build Citations
    3.) Create a company Google + page
    4.) Get reviews
    5.) Optimize your website to reflect targeted keywords
    6.) Integrate a map on your website

    This update is kind of irrelevant for iphone users though... maybe now? Or coming up in June supposedly they will have their own default local listings. Of course iphone users can download the google + app... but I'm not sure why they would. I don't know anyone that truly enjoys Google +.

    Anyway... guys...and girls... there is no reason to freak out or think that everything is changing because it isn't. google is just trying to find a way to make a dismal social network more successful and find a way that their acquisition to be put to bigger use.

    No sense in worrying about something like this... worry about the NEW penguin change.
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  • Profile picture of the author David B.
    What is the score out of 30 I see in GP? My client has a score of 27/30 and is in position B but the business with a score of 25/30 is in position A?
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    • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
      Originally Posted by Rus Sells View Post

      Exactly the point I wanted to make. 8 steps to leave a review!

      Unless you actually PAY or BRIBE people I don't think they are going to leave reviews on Google very much unless you give the the most crappy shopping experience!

      Russ
      Originally Posted by Stranger Danger View Post

      That's so unfortunate. This will cause all of the reviews to be either:

      1. very angry/dissatisfied customers
      2. fake; owner/marketer-generated

      People that want to leave a nice review will not bother as soon as they realize that it's going to be a hassle.
      Yeah... but there ARE a large amount of people with google accounts that have Google +.. ideally this would encourage more social reviewing. Whether that happens or not, who knows... one thing definitely is for sure though, and that is that you have to give the customer a awful experience to get them to leave a review now if they don't have google +
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      • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
        I think you are dreaming bro.

        There are NOT enough consumers using gmail versus the sheer number of daily transactions that small businesses do on a daily basis. Each transaction is an opportunity to leave a review.

        + users just barely passed 100 million users last month versus the sheer number of retail transactions so really in comparison its a smig of + users.

        So many many customers will have to jump through the Google hoops to leave reviews.

        Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

        Yeah... but there ARE a large amount of people with google accounts that have Google +.. ideally this would encourage more social reviewing. Whether that happens or not, who knows... one thing definitely is for sure though, and that is that you have to give the customer a awful experience to get them to leave a review now if they don't have google +
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        • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
          Originally Posted by Rus Sells View Post

          I think you are dreaming bro.

          There are NOT enough consumers using gmail versus the sheer number of daily transactions that small businesses do on a daily basis. Each transaction is an opportunity to leave a review.

          + users just barely passed 100 million users last month versus the sheer number of retail transactions so really in comparison its a smig of + users.

          So many many customers will have to jump through the Google hoops to leave reviews.
          I thought it was 200 million in April?

          Obviously the amount of transactions is higher than users, the same applies with the entire population. There are more transactions than there are people.

          Anyway, that wasn't the point at all... I never said that they wouldn't have to jump through hoops, just that there are a large amount of google + users and in theory would encourage social reviewing. That's all...

          I just don't think it's a huge deal... it just opens up more opportunity for us.
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    • Profile picture of the author vndnbrgj
      Originally Posted by David B. View Post

      What is the score out of 30 I see in GP? My client has a score of 27/30 and is in position B but the business with a score of 25/30 is in position A?
      It's no longer stars... It is based on Zagat's review scoring system.
      You can get more details on the numbers here:Google+ Local scores - Google+ Help

      The higher the number the better, with 30 being the best. (similar to 5 stars)
      Then, there is a number per reviewer. 0-3 with 3 being the best.

      As far as leaving reviews, I am curious to see if Google will still pull reviews from third party sites. That would make it easier to leave a review without jumping through all the hoops.

      I also agree with Nathan, enough with the hype...
      I think this is the 5th? thread started on this.
      Same principles apply as before, just a different look.
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      • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
        The new pages are displaying reviews as links from around the web at the bottom of the profiles on the plus pages for business.

        Originally Posted by vndnbrgj View Post

        It's no longer stars... It is based on Zagat's review scoring system.
        You can get more details on the numbers here:Google+ Local scores - Google+ Help

        The higher the number the better, with 30 being the best. (similar to 5 stars)
        Then, there is a number per reviewer. 0-3 with 3 being the best.

        As far as leaving reviews, I am curious to see if Google will still pull reviews from third party sites. That would make it easier to leave a review without jumping through all the hoops.

        I also agree with Nathan, enough with the hype...
        I think this is the 5th? thread started on this.
        Same principles apply as before, just a different look.
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  • Profile picture of the author mrtrance
    So after this change can we still use the GPlaces services business model to go after those businesses who have not claimed their listings? I don't see that info any longer? So how do we now try to find clients that we want to get in the 7 pack? Is reputation management gone as well since the stars are no longer there as well?

    Any feedback?
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  • Profile picture of the author Charles Harper
    I have posted this article on my FB wall and in the SEO Forum. All of this is going somewhere with Google. No matter how many of the pieces, we think we have, we don't know what they are up to. They are about to disrupt the SEO world yall.

    Google to start charging companies for listings - FT.com

    CT
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    • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
      Charles, are you referring to product listings for Google shopping? I don't see anything in regards to places.

      Originally Posted by Charles Harper View Post

      I have posted this article on my FB wall and in the SEO Forum. All of this is going somewhere with Google. No matter how many of the pieces, we think we have, we don't know what they are up to. They are about to disrupt the SEO world yall.

      Google to start charging companies for listings - FT.com

      CT
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  • Profile picture of the author Ouroboros
    This is a "slippery slope" that google is going down.

    They've repeatedly said that their intent is to "provide the most relevant search results for their users"

    That's just BS! Google is a company that sells advertising and profits from it, and just happens to be the most popular search engine available.

    They have tried repeatedly to compete with popular trends...facebook, groupon, et all, and have failed and scrapped many of their attempts.

    They need to make their social media "experiment" succeed (google +), and they're using their proprietary google places algo to force local businesses into the google + experiment. Only time will tell if this results in more opportunities for us, or more lawsuits against google.

    Steve Marsh
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  • Profile picture of the author Dr Dan
    Thanks for starting this thread cause I am getting sick and tired of the sky is falling cries as well!

    Actually had someone contact my help desk and say that they are not going to do any more google places stuff because of how it will no longer work and its now dead!
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  • Profile picture of the author Angela V. Edwards
    Why would the Google Love program be "worthless"?? It's not a "Google Places" method and it's creating the EXACT type of sites that Google WANTS to have in its index. So many people have thought regular backlinking is now "worthless", too but I am still on Page One out of millions (not as high as I was, but I don't have an "Authority" type of site and like it or not, Google is now giving preference to Authority Sites) and my doctor's website hasn't budged from its Number One spot in three full years. With all due respect, this is the very type of misinformation that gets passed around and then newbies and folks who haven't tested for themselves actually believe it and sometimes repeat the same thing to other vulnerable people. I've seen that happen again and again and again with SEO type stuff.
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    • Profile picture of the author PeckhamPirate
      Originally Posted by Angela V. Edwards View Post

      Why would the Google Love program be "worthless"?? It's not a "Google Places" method and it's creating the EXACT type of sites that Google WANTS to have in its index. So many people have thought regular backlinking is now "worthless", too but I am still on Page One out of millions (not as high as I was, but I don't have an "Authority" type of site and like it or not, Google is now giving preference to Authority Sites) and my doctor's website hasn't budged from its Number One spot in three full years. With all due respect, this is the very type of misinformation that gets passed around and then newbies and folks who haven't tested for themselves actually believe it and sometimes repeat the same thing to other vulnerable people. I've seen that happen again and again and again with SEO type stuff.
      Well in my personal experience I've always found it much easier to win quality new clients with a Google Places listing than with anything else.

      Get them ranking well and there phone is guaranteed to start ringing. After that you can sell them anything.

      Just works better for me than rucking up and saying you need to rent / buy this squeeze page I made just for you.

      I dunno about spreading misinformation. I thought I'd said 'Just keep doing what we're doing'.
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      • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
        Originally Posted by mrtrance View Post

        So after this change can we still use the GPlaces services business model to go after those businesses who have not claimed their listings? I don't see that info any longer? So how do we now try to find clients that we want to get in the 7 pack? Is reputation management gone as well since the stars are no longer there as well?

        Any feedback?
        What do you mean? Google Places is still the same exact thing, it's just rebranded to get more people to use google +. No big deal, you can still offer this.

        Reputation management is far more involved than google reviews... in fact, that's usually the least of someones worries if they use reputation management.

        Originally Posted by Charles Harper View Post

        I have posted this article on my FB wall and in the SEO Forum. All of this is going somewhere with Google. No matter how many of the pieces, we think we have, we don't know what they are up to. They are about to disrupt the SEO world yall.

        Google to start charging companies for listings - FT.com

        CT
        This is a bit irrelevant don't you think? They always disrupt the SEO world, but they never disrupt me because I don't listen to all the hoopla going on in SEO circles. Google has always charged companies for listings, and the shopping, no big deal... it effects big ecommerce outlets, not doctors lawyers dentists etc... only a small niche for that. Guess I shouldn't say small... but for the majority of offline clients it won't make a difference to.
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      • Profile picture of the author dudeontheweb
        Well, the "Game Changer" aspect of this is that in order to play the Google Places game, you are going to have to do it through Google+.
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        • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
          Originally Posted by dudeontheweb View Post

          Well, the "Game Changer" aspect of this is that in order to play the Google Places game, you are going to have to do it through Google+.
          You would need to get reviews through Google +.... as part of your local SEO strategy, you should have been building business pages for your clients since it was available, but you still aren't REQUIRED to do so... just highly recommended to.
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          • Originally Posted by David B. View Post

            What is the score out of 30 I see in GP? My client has a score of 27/30 and is in position B but the business with a score of 25/30 is in position A?
            Ranking isn't dependent on reviews or review scores. Someone with 0 reviews can be #1 especially if the KW is pulling a blended result, because that algo is based more on organic ranking factors.

            Originally Posted by mrtrance View Post

            So after this change can we still use the GPlaces services business model to go after those businesses who have not claimed their listings? I don't see that info any longer?
            It's temporarily missing and they are working on it. But right now if you know how you can still get to the old Place page which shows if listing is verified or not. (I documented how to reformat the link to get the old Places CID on my blog. Currently the 2nd post down right now.)

            Plus had a meeting with Mark from Places Scout today to review everything that changed and he already re-wrote his software so you can use it for prospecting unclaimed listings. (And ranking reports and everything works again in spite of all the changes.)

            I was in a big conference with upper management at Google today re all the changes and current issues. We are in a major transition right now and it may be a bumpy ride for a bit. But where they are heading with this will ultimately get rid of some old chronic Places problems and make quite a few things easier.

            I was a little anti the changes at 1st cuz DAMN I rank #1 for Google Places Optimization, it's all over my site, all my Advanced training materials are about Places Optimization, tools, EVERYTHING needs to change, so I was kinda ticked about the re-branding. But after my meeting with Google I'm pretty excited about what's coming!
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    • Profile picture of the author Dr Dan
      Originally Posted by Angela V. Edwards View Post

      Why would the Google Love program be "worthless"?? It's not a "Google Places" method and it's creating the EXACT type of sites that Google WANTS to have in its index. So many people have thought regular backlinking is now "worthless", too but I am still on Page One out of millions (not as high as I was, but I don't have an "Authority" type of site and like it or not, Google is now giving preference to Authority Sites) and my doctor's website hasn't budged from its Number One spot in three full years. With all due respect, this is the very type of misinformation that gets passed around and then newbies and folks who haven't tested for themselves actually believe it and sometimes repeat the same thing to other vulnerable people. I've seen that happen again and again and again with SEO type stuff.
      Because PeckhamPirate knows it all and is running a successful six plus figure offline marketing business.

      I am waiting patiently for him to create a product to teach us all his secrets so I dont have to waste time with my own strategies that just dont work anymore.

      I am so grateful that PeckhamPirate has taught me these lessons through is valuable 80 posts of packed of golden nuggets that will save my offline business from sinking.
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      • Profile picture of the author ishboo
        Originally Posted by Dr Dan View Post

        Because PeckhamPirate knows it all and is running a successful six plus figure offline marketing business.

        I am waiting patiently for him to create a product to teach us all his secrets so I dont have to waste time with my own strategies that just dont work anymore.

        I am so grateful that PeckhamPirate has taught me these lessons through is valuable 80 posts of packed of golden nuggets that will save my offline business from sinking.
        Good one Dr. Dan! LOL! Is that what GL2 is all about? Ranking mobile sites? I don't really know... I'm too busy being too successful with the first one THANKS FOR THE SUCCESS!

        I'll buy GL2 when I need it (which, from the looks of it, may never happen -- LOL! your first one is just so good!)
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        • Profile picture of the author Dr Dan
          Originally Posted by ishboo View Post

          Good one Dr. Dan! LOL! Is that what GL2 is all about? Ranking mobile sites? I don't really know... I'm too busy being too successful with the first one THANKS FOR THE SUCCESS!

          I'll buy GL2 when I need it (which, from the looks of it, may never happen -- LOL! your first one is just so good!)
          Thanks and GL2 is just a revamp of GL1 with some new videos and bonus videos from the academy added plus some client getting stuff from one of our other products and webinars we never released ourselves :-)

          Keep rocking!
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  • Profile picture of the author ADukes81
    I think it's going to make it more difficult for people to leave negative reviews (hurts my ORM strategy). Here is why;

    "People are aggressive online, but passive in person"

    Now this isn't "in person", but it makes it more transparent (which I am all about) with your real name and I believe a picture (Google + profile pic)

    Not many people are going to jump through the hoops (as Iamnameless points out) to leave a review.

    Have you tried setting up a new Gmail/YouTube account? They damn near force you to sign up for Google+.

    Note to Google: Don't force your users to do something. Build a great product and people will come.

    "Build it and they will come"
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    • Oh meant to mention last night too, Google has confirmed a few times this update didn't directly affect rankings. If it had changed the algo, at the same time, then this would be a game changer! But right now it's just cosmetic changes - new uniforms and a nice new updated ball field to play in. The game itself has not really changed much YET! It will, but hasn't yet.
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  • Profile picture of the author sethczerepak
    It's just a marketing technique, the same thing happened when pinterest started blowing up and people started tooting their horns about how to make money with it...a lot of them probably never made a penny on pinterest, but the technique works because of novelty. If something is new and different and exciting, it attracts attention and causes the less focused to become irrationally seduced by it.

    As long as people respond that way, there will be marketers who exploit those people. In some way, you can't blame them, but it is frustrating to try and re-educate the people who have bought into the hype.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tiduslite8
    At this moment, the changeover is a huge game changer for many local businesses. The main reason is because Google has not gotten around to creating the plus page equivalent of the places page. I have a client that I'd ranked to the top spot for places in regards to "taxi", "cab", "taxicab", etc. As of May 30th their listing is not showing on the map. I've taken the steps to create a plus page for them, but it isn't showing up yet either. As you might guess, the client is worried, as he was seeing an average of 6-10 calls from new customers per day.

    Here's hoping the transfer is completed soon.
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    • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
      Originally Posted by Tiduslite8 View Post

      At this moment, the changeover is a huge game changer for many local businesses. The main reason is because Google has not gotten around to creating the plus page equivalent of the places page. I have a client that I'd ranked to the top spot for places in regards to "taxi", "cab", "taxicab", etc. As of May 30th their listing is not showing on the map. I've taken the steps to create a plus page for them, but it isn't showing up yet either. As you might guess, the client is worried, as he was seeing an average of 6-10 calls from new customers per day.

      Here's hoping the transfer is completed soon.
      Sounds like a different issue, as this is purely cosmetic and nothing to do with rank.
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  • Profile picture of the author moodykitty
    ishboo,
    thanks for the advice. Just to clarify it's not a mobile site but a mobile business, meaning the owner comes to you, you don't go to their location. I guess plumbing service would be a good example.
    I have created the first site in my local area but it was a site already owned by someone so I'm helping him get his business ranked. It's actually what got me started in offline (well that and all my affiliate sites took a dive) and in the particular niche, I really enjoyed helping him grow his business online. At the same time I came across Google Love 2, couldn't pass it up. I have a lot to learn still for sure...
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    • Profile picture of the author ishboo
      Originally Posted by moodykitty View Post

      ishboo,
      thanks for the advice. Just to clarify it's not a mobile site but a mobile business, meaning the owner comes to you, you don't go to their location. I guess plumbing service would be a good example.
      I have created the first site in my local area but it was a site already owned by someone so I'm helping him get his business ranked. It's actually what got me started in offline (well that and all my affiliate sites took a dive) and in the particular niche, I really enjoyed helping him grow his business online. At the same time I came across Google Love 2, couldn't pass it up. I have a lot to learn still for sure...
      I see, I see...

      Sorry for this late reply (I am in the middle of a move, working with a new copywriter, and handling a few new clients, while losing Internet access for a few days because of the move), so I'll try and answer this real quick...

      So I think I get it. You are helping rank a site that was already built without search engine rankings in mind? If that is what you mean, then in that case, next time you get a client like that, explain to them that they have some options...

      Option #1: Keep the site design and layout the way it is with minor modifications to make it conducive to getting rankings (where you change what you can like some of the code, meta tags, link navigation names, and on-page content)

      Option #2: Complete re-design the site to be conducive to conversion (ROI) AND search engine rankings where we optimize it out-of-the-gate and everything works perfectly to increase profits immediately.

      Only do this if option #2 saves them money. What I would have done is figured how much more work it would have taken to "fix" his site to where it was ready to be marketed and generating backlinks vs. what it would cost to start over on the "right foot".

      Sometimes it is much easier for them and you to start over. This way, they save money in the long run and you make just as much with less work Hope that all made sense?

      In either event, this post was originally about Google+ hype. But I hope this post has helped you even more than the first one I made. Ever need anything just shoot me a PM!

      All the Best!
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  • Profile picture of the author Ashley Pearson
    Google+ itself is not a gamechanger. Well, not yet anyways.
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    • Profile picture of the author furic
      I read this entire post (good stuff!) but didn't seem to figure out an answer to my problem.

      I have a client who recently got a few back reviews and they're showing up on page 1 of their Places page (or whatever it's called now.) I just did an email blast and got about a dozen great reviews. In the email I requested that the clients submit their reviews directly to Google but the "8 step process" as pointed out in a previous post was just too much for them; and they simply submitted their comments via email reply.

      My question is, how can I get those *legit* reviews on my clients' Places page to move those bad reviews off page 1?

      I've put in a Fiverr order for a bunch of phone-verified gmail accounts. The only solution I can think of is to use those accounts, login and leave the legit reviews. Is this a bad idea? Is there a better way?

      Google made it harder for me about a day after I promised my client I could "bury" those bad reviews with the new good ones.

      Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

      /joseph

      P.S. On a slightly separate note, does Local Business Listing Robot still work well for all the other citation sites? Local Business Listing Robot I don't have a ton of local clients at this point so $97/mth is a little pricey.
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      • Profile picture of the author qu4rk
        Originally Posted by furic View Post

        I read this entire post (good stuff!) but didn't seem to figure out an answer to my problem.

        I have a client who recently got a few back reviews and they're showing up on page 1 of their Places page (or whatever it's called now.) I just did an email blast and got about a dozen great reviews. In the email I requested that the clients submit their reviews directly to Google but the "8 step process" as pointed out in a previous post was just too much for them; and they simply submitted their comments via email reply.

        My question is, how can I get those *legit* reviews on my clients' Places page to move those bad reviews off page 1?

        I've put in a Fiverr order for a bunch of phone-verified gmail accounts. The only solution I can think of is to use those accounts, login and leave the legit reviews. Is this a bad idea? Is there a better way?

        Google made it harder for me about a day after I promised my client I could "bury" those bad reviews with the new good ones.

        Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

        /joseph

        P.S. On a slightly separate note, does Local Business Listing Robot still work well for all the other citation sites? Local Business Listing Robot I don't have a ton of local clients at this point so $97/mth is a little pricey.
        Funny you mention this, I have a meeting with a prospect regarding the bad reviews. In our cold call, I mentioned a QR code placed in their office to give a Google Review. Does anyone have any insight on how to engineer something like that with the new 8 step process?
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      • Profile picture of the author Angela V. Edwards
        Originally Posted by furic View Post

        I read this entire post (good stuff!) but didn't seem to figure out an answer to my problem.

        I have a client who recently got a few back reviews and they're showing up on page 1 of their Places page (or whatever it's called now.) I just did an email blast and got about a dozen great reviews. In the email I requested that the clients submit their reviews directly to Google but the "8 step process" as pointed out in a previous post was just too much for them; and they simply submitted their comments via email reply.

        My question is, how can I get those *legit* reviews on my clients' Places page to move those bad reviews off page 1?

        I've put in a Fiverr order for a bunch of phone-verified gmail accounts. The only solution I can think of is to use those accounts, login and leave the legit reviews. Is this a bad idea? Is there a better way?

        Google made it harder for me about a day after I promised my client I could "bury" those bad reviews with the new good ones.

        Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

        /joseph

        P.S. On a slightly separate note, does Local Business Listing Robot still work well for all the other citation sites? Local Business Listing Robot I don't have a ton of local clients at this point so $97/mth is a little pricey.
        I know for a fact you can get phone verified Gmail accounts using Textfree Web for Free Unlimited Texting From Your Computer I did it myself back when I was sending my backlink packets manually. Anyone who's doing this sort of "reputation management" should keep this in mind; you can get a "phone number" from any area code you choose.
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      • Originally Posted by furic View Post

        I've put in a Fiverr order for a bunch of phone-verified gmail accounts. The only solution I can think of is to use those accounts, login and leave the legit reviews. Is this a bad idea? Is there a better way?
        It now takes a Google+ account to leave reviews. G+ accounts need to be in your own real name. So the days of getting quick and easy Gmail accounts to post reviews is over.

        Even IF they are legit reviews from real customers and even BEFORE the G+ Local changes, it was a violation to post reviews on behalf of others. So trying to break the rules could get your client in trouble.

        Google has LOTS of things in place to catch fake reviews and multiple reviews posted by the same person, even if diff accounts. So I would def not even try it.
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        • Profile picture of the author Creativegirl
          Originally Posted by Catalyst eMarketing View Post

          It now takes a Google+ account to leave reviews. G+ accounts need to be in your own real name. So the days of getting quick and easy Gmail accounts to post reviews is over.

          Google has LOTS of things in place to catch fake reviews and multiple reviews posted by the same person, even if diff accounts. So I would def not even try it.
          The first part remains to be seen.

          Google has proven to be inept in identifying fake reviews in Places. And worse in helping businesses remove malicious fake reviews. Again, remains to be seen if the new review platform in +Local is any better vs. more cumbersome.
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  • Profile picture of the author drlelong
    To get quality reviews from happy customers, business owners will still need to ask them. Business owners can provide some guidance on their own website on how the process works to help set proper expectations so customers are not surprised.
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  • Profile picture of the author daddykool
    Nice, genuine words!

    All you really have to do, to keep or upgrade your clients from GP to GL+ is a bit of the manual hard work, hard for some n00bs and even some IM'rs that have got a tad porky over the years, BUT essential if you really want to try and keep up with the smooth move over to G+...

    That is ALL it really is, a move to make the big G a MASSIVE singular authority site, that is why G+ was put out, after 5 years of development, G did not just decide to do it over night.

    There is a new version of G+ app for iPhones & another one coming for Android, these clearly show the benefit of GL+ and if you look REAL close at all the changes, you might all want to not worry so much about Google Local + updates for your clients BUT...

    Zagat.com services (hint!)

    Scare tactics and "Quick buy this before G ends the world" WSO titles have been around since the 90's on here, so nothing changes, even with some valid and worthy advice from the OP
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  • Profile picture of the author Creativegirl
    I can relate to the frustration of scare tactics and early birds to sell useless information but it's pretty reckless to say Google's change from places to +local is not a game changer. Countless businesses of all sizes and in all sorts of industries have been devastated by Google's actions of making Places relevant to searchers and businesses, then changing it to consolidate (spin it any way you want) their tools and products only to leave Places unsupported and a hotbed of a mess for months while they try to hurry up the new platform which is full of holes and problems too.

    It's reckless to assume businesses, including marketers engaged legitimately in places optimization and review management, that are losing up to 80% of their business are not experiencing this as a game changer. Granted, no one should put all their eggs in one basket. Google and Facebook make the case for all to broaden their marketing efforts.

    I wouldn't be surprised to see a class action suit come down the pike against Google.

    It remains to be seen how Google improves the local listing, but on the surface it's all about Google as usual, forcing G+ to be relevant and their growth on mobile for advertisers. And another thing...when was the last time (what year) Google truly served up organic results? Google is the worst manipulator.

    Russ Sells has a good and timely thread about this advising people to hold off any immediate wso offerings because Google doesn't even have it figured out yet.

    Again, I can relate to your frustration and to your opinion if you're only focused on ranking a site, but Places pages gained far too much relevance in serps to consumers and businesses alike. Removing the 7pack is a game changer to all of us, not just Places pages. How +local can be optimized, benefit mobile device users and local search will most likely be a game changer in true Google fashion.
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    • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
      Originally Posted by Creativegirl View Post

      I can relate to the frustration of scare tactics and early birds to sell useless information but it's pretty reckless to say Google's change from places to +local is not a game changer. Countless businesses of all sizes and in all sorts of industries have been devastated by Google's actions of making Places relevant to searchers and businesses, then changing it to consolidate (spin it any way you want) their tools and products only to leave Places unsupported and a hotbed of a mess for months while they try to hurry up the new platform which is full of holes and problems too.

      It's reckless to assume businesses, including marketers engaged legitimately in places optimization and review management, that are losing up to 80% of their business are not experiencing this as a game changer. Granted, no one should put all their eggs in one basket. Google and Facebook make the case for all to broaden their marketing efforts.

      I wouldn't be surprised to see a class action suit come down the pike against Google.

      It remains to be seen how Google improves the local listing, but on the surface it's all about Google as usual, forcing G+ to be relevant and their growth on mobile for advertisers. And another thing...when was the last time (what year) Google truly served up organic results? Google is the worst manipulator.

      Russ Sells has a good and timely thread about this advising people to hold off any immediate wso offerings because Google doesn't even have it figured out yet.

      Again, I can relate to your frustration and to your opinion if you're only focused on ranking a site, but Places pages gained far too much relevance in serps to consumers and businesses alike. Removing the 7pack is a game changer to all of us, not just Places pages. How +local can be optimized, benefit mobile device users and local search will most likely be a game changer in true Google fashion.
      I'm sorry... I think you are mistaken. I think you have read too many fear based emails about this without really looking into it.

      This change is cosmetic... there is no ranking change, there is nobody losing 80% of their traffic because of this.

      Google places... is essentially the same. Google + local is the exact same aside from it including its' own product. It essentially broadens the reach.

      Once they change how things are ranked with local results, then it's time to say it's a game changer. Which it likely won't be for those of us who stay on top of our game.
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