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Marking information as incorrect Google Places

by codecreative
2 replies
  • SEO
    • |
Hi

I have a customer who lost there old website domain and site to a previous development agency.

They have approached me for a fresh start. I have the site built. Currently they have a google places local listing and it ranks well on page 1 for a chosen term. The issue is that it shows the old domain name, which if you visit it fails to load anything!

I have just marked this as false information and provided the correct url to Google.

Has anyone had to do this before?

Typically what kind of turn around on correcting this information is there?

If this fails is there a function similar to forgot your password where the business owners can have a pin card sent out to them again and therefore gain access to the listing to edit it themselves?

Feedback on this matter greatly appreciated
#google #incorrect #information #marking #places
  • Profile picture of the author MikeFriedman
    Two things.

    First, I would contact Google to get the access reset.

    Second, if the client can afford a lawyer, I would discuss legal options for getting the old domain back. Marketing agencies cannot hold websites hostage like that. It is basically a form of cyber squatting, especially if the domain is a brand name for the business versus something like www.gettysburg-real-estate.com.
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  • Profile picture of the author Anteela
    Before Google's change to G+ Local, you were able to claim an already claimed listing through PIN verification. We did this when our clients were unable to get access to the account with their map listing, whether they forgot it or the previous SEO company would not provide it (commonly the case when SEO companies put all of their clients into 1 Google account rather than create one for each of their clients). This reclaiming process is no longer available.

    You can, however, still reclaim the listing, but the process takes more time with Google's new system.

    First, create the listing using the same exact information as the live listing. When prompted to verify the listing, it will tell you that the listing already has an owner and it will give you the option to have Google contact the map account owner to then pass ownership to you. I always followup with Google by phone as well so I have somebody specific I can contact with questions.

    Here's the link to contact Google maps support by phone:
    https://support.google.com/places/contact/c2c_places

    The process is still not instant. Google has to attempt to contact the account owner numerous times with no success before passing ownership on to you. I've never been able to get a consistent answer from their support team on how long they give. Some have told us weeks and others months.

    We've used this process to get access to about 10 map listings in the past few months. We've never encountered an SEO company who refused to give up ownership of the listing though. Also, if your Google rep sounds clueless, I would suggest calling back and getting another. Their training can be subpar and it's like talking to a brick wall sometimes.

    Best of luck!
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