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Google is at it again

by rodtyler
21 replies
I do offline work in my area, mostly seo and Google places listings (or whatever they are calling it today). I still can't figure the difference between Places, Google+ Local, and Google Pages for business.

I was in the process of creating a listing for a new client and when I went to add the categories, I discovered I no longer have the option of creating my own. In the old days, meaning a few weeks ago, Google required us to create the primary category from their drop-down list, but I could list the other 4 any way I chose.

Apparently, they no longer allow me to do that. Every category must be chosen from their drop-down list. The problem is that none of the categories apply to my client. Even the primary category doesn't apply, but I had put something in there.

What this means is if your client doesn't fit into one of their pre-made categories, you can't create a listing. They just eliminated probably 50% of the businesses in the country and made my job even harder than before. I really wish that someone would blow that company up and start over. They have screwed up things beyond repair. But since they probably don't have a category for that, who will know?:confused:
#google
  • Profile picture of the author imsolutionsgroup
    Here is a list of all the categories currently listed inside the new Google+Local Pages. I'm sure they will be adding more - http://blumenthals.com/catgory-table.htm
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    • Profile picture of the author rodtyler
      Originally Posted by imsolutionsgroup View Post

      Here is a list of all the categories currently listed inside the new Google+Local Pages. I'm sure they will be adding more - http://blumenthals.com/catgory-table.htm
      Thanks. At least this gives a starting point.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alex Makarski
    Originally Posted by rodtyler View Post

    ... and made my job even harder than before. I really wish that someone would blow that company up and start over. They have screwed up things beyond repair. But since they probably don't have a category for that, who will know?:confused:
    Google is certainly screwing things up a lot. And that's one way to look at things.

    The other side of the coin is, we as consultants only have a job because GOOG keeps screwing things up for everyone. If GOOG was perfect, our clients wouldn't need our services.

    Just sayin'......
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    "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand." -Confucius

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    • Profile picture of the author mamadou douka
      Mamadou like your point Alex the more crazy Google gets the more crazy the clients will be and more business for us !
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    • Profile picture of the author rodtyler
      Originally Posted by Alex Makarski View Post

      Google is certainly screwing things up a lot. And that's one way to look at things.

      The other side of the coin is, we as consultants only have a job because GOOG keeps screwing things up for everyone. If GOOG was perfect, our clients wouldn't need our services.

      Just sayin'......
      That is a VERY good point. If I am confused and frustrated, imagine how the typical business owner feels.
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      • Profile picture of the author Krazygraphic
        Originally Posted by rodtyler View Post

        That is a VERY good point. If I am confused and frustrated, imagine how the typical business owner feels.
        Feels CRAPPY , it's my only income and that has dropped to the point now that I need to look for a second job.

        At this point I'd almost be better off closing the website
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  • Profile picture of the author Cobaki
    Google has been doing a lot of changes lately and it’s already difficult for us to keep up. This can be a real frustration for many people but oh well, Google is the big boss and we can’t really do anything about it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
    You can ask Google to add the category. I'll PM Linda about this thread for you. Maybe she can help you out.

    Originally Posted by rodtyler View Post

    I do offline work in my area, mostly seo and Google places listings (or whatever they are calling it today). I still can't figure the difference between Places, Google+ Local, and Google Pages for business.

    I was in the process of creating a listing for a new client and when I went to add the categories, I discovered I no longer have the option of creating my own. In the old days, meaning a few weeks ago, Google required us to create the primary category from their drop-down list, but I could list the other 4 any way I chose.

    Apparently, they no longer allow me to do that. Every category must be chosen from their drop-down list. The problem is that none of the categories apply to my client. Even the primary category doesn't apply, but I had put something in there.

    What this means is if your client doesn't fit into one of their pre-made categories, you can't create a listing. They just eliminated probably 50% of the businesses in the country and made my job even harder than before. I really wish that someone would blow that company up and start over. They have screwed up things beyond repair. But since they probably don't have a category for that, who will know?:confused:
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  • Profile picture of the author rodtyler
    The last client I created a listing for before this one doesn't show up for his primary category. There are listings on page 1 that haven't been claimed or optimized and/or have no website, yet the best I can do is page 2. Some of these page 1 listings don't even belong there because they don't fit the category. Even when you do everything Google expects from you, it's still a crap-shoot on where or even if you rank.

    Does anyone remember Windows 98? Microsoft just kept adding and adding until it became almost unusable. They had to rip it apart and start over. I think Google is at that stage right now.
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    • Profile picture of the author naturaldry
      I agree rod. Especially with these updates forcing many people to google ad words, which I will never use again. Adwords was expensive and half the time it was people from india or competitors clicking on your link to drive up cost. Now with the penguin update sites that have 6 other copycat sites + are ranking. We shall see.
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  • Profile picture of the author candycandy7
    "In the old days, meaning a few weeks ago, Google required us to...."

    Hilarious
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  • Profile picture of the author rodtyler
    I have discovered another glitch. I created an account and requested the pin via postcard because it is s new business. I waited 3 weeks for the pin to arrive, but when I went back to verify, it said I had no businesses that need to be verified. There was nowhere to enter the pin.

    When I clicked the "Verify Now" button, it just went back to the page to request the postcard. " I AM HOLDING THE CARD IN MY HANDS, YOU NIMROD. WHERE DO I INPUT THE NUMBER???"

    I had to start over and I'll probably have to wait another 3-4 weeks. Good thing the business owners livelihood doesn't depend on his business. Oh wait ... it does. Like they care.
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  • Profile picture of the author mikec513
    Did you get a bunch of citations first, like insiderpages and merchantcircle, and kudzu, etc.? Sometimes if you get those first, I have noticed Google will actually allow a phone call, even on a new business. Just my observation, never get the Google plus page until the other citations are in place. (I usually do 10 solid ones first, and backlink them a little to get them indexed)
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    • Profile picture of the author rodtyler
      Originally Posted by mikec513 View Post

      Did you get a bunch of citations first, like insiderpages and merchantcircle, and kudzu, etc.? Sometimes if you get those first, I have noticed Google will actually allow a phone call, even on a new business. Just my observation, never get the Google plus page until the other citations are in place. (I usually do 10 solid ones first, and backlink them a little to get them indexed)
      Yes I started building citations at least 2 weeks before I built the Google listing. I checked to make sure that at least some of them were indexed. Obviously didn't matter.
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      • Profile picture of the author Catalyst eMarketing
        I keep saying have faith, change is coming. If you read my forum you've seen tons of positive changes that are on the way.

        Once everyone is upgraded to the New Places Dashboard you'll have fast image uploads (hours instead of weeks) ability to CHOOSE your profile image instead of having to delete and start over, longer description, one button upgrade to Google + without having to verify and a lot more. (Covered all this in my initial announcement complete that is complete with screenshots after Google gave me my test account back at the beginning of April. Plus have been adding tons of updates as other new features are released.)

        Plus as I've announced several times there is now Phone Support but once you get the new dashboard it's easier to get and available for everything, not limited to certain types of problems.

        So anyway, yes a lot of things have been broken for a long time. A lot of things have been fixed lately or will be once you get the new dash. PLUS there are a lot of solutions out there that some consultants just are not aware of.

        You really need to keep your eyes on the ball because I bet I've done 25 new feature announcements for Google in the past 2 months. Things are changing so fast I can't even keep up with it all sometimes. BUT those of you who do keep up and stay on top of all the changes, will really be on the front lines and ahead of the game!

        Sorry Russ, I never got a PM from you about this thread. But yes, Google is doing away with custom categories and the current ones have some limitations or missing cats. If you use Blumenthal's tool you can usually find an upstream core category that works. But yes if it's a blatant and very popular core local category that's missing, let me know at my place and I can escalate to Google for you. We are keeping a list of missing categories that need to be added and Google is pretty good about adding things that are recommended.
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        Linda Buquet :: Google+ Local Specialist and Google Top Contributor
        ADVANCED Google+ Local Training :: Also offering White Label Local SEO
        Latest Google Local News, Tips & Tricks

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        • Profile picture of the author rodtyler
          I have mentioned this on several forums and still haven't gotten a good explanation. I still haven't been able to figure out the difference between Google + Local and Google Places for Business. They are separate and both need verification.

          I have asked the question many times, gotten many answers and have done a lot of trial and error on my own, but I still haven't been able to figure it out. Maybe I'm just being dense, but this is driving me crazy. Just when I think I have it figured it out, it turns out that I don't. ARGGGGG!!!
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          • Profile picture of the author Catalyst eMarketing
            Google Places, Google+ Local and Google Places for Business are all the same thing.

            Then there is Google+ Business pages which are different and have the social features.

            This post with screenshots illustrates all the difference and clarifies the confusion.

            Crazy Google Local Page Name Conundrum - Clearing the Confusion
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            Linda Buquet :: Google+ Local Specialist and Google Top Contributor
            ADVANCED Google+ Local Training :: Also offering White Label Local SEO
            Latest Google Local News, Tips & Tricks

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            • Profile picture of the author rodtyler
              Originally Posted by Catalyst eMarketing View Post

              Google Places, Google+ Local and Google Places for Business are all the same thing.

              Then there is Google+ Business pages which are different and have the social features.

              This post with screenshots illustrates all the difference and clarifies the confusion.

              Crazy Google Local Page Name Conundrum - Clearing the Confusion
              Oh SSUURRREE, that cleared up a lot ... NOT. I am just going to study your explanation page a little more. The answers you gave are what I have been assuming, but just when I think I have it figured out, all of a sudden, I don't.

              I think what's confusing me the most id when I am on the account page and click the "Products" link, it shows Places and Google+. If I click on Google +, now I have Google + Local and Google Pages for business. That's 3 different things.

              With my luck, just when I get everything figured out, they will change it and I will have to start over.
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              • Profile picture of the author Catalyst eMarketing
                So are you saying you have 3 different Google local type pages? If so that could possibly be a problem, depending on what you have.

                If you care to post links (and if it's allowed here - don't if it's not). But if you can, then I can look at them and help you sort it all out.
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                Linda Buquet :: Google+ Local Specialist and Google Top Contributor
                ADVANCED Google+ Local Training :: Also offering White Label Local SEO
                Latest Google Local News, Tips & Tricks

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                • Profile picture of the author rodtyler
                  I think I have it narrowed down to 2. I was counting the personal profile as 1, but I now realize that is separate. When I login to Google, go to my account page, and click the products link, it shows Places and Google +. If I click the Places link, it shows the Places for business dashboard.

                  If I click on Google+, it shows the personal profile, but if I then click on Pages, it shows another business listing, which is completely different from the Places listing. This is what I am having a hard time wrapping my head around, although it is starting to make a LITTLE more sense.:confused:

                  As for search listings, it seems the Places listing is what is showing up, without all the social features. I guess I am just being a little dense. It's just taking a while for everything to sink in. Although just when I have it figured out, they will just change it again and I start over.
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