Google Maps Disappearing

justinmarch · Nov 8, 2009

Hi Guys

I wonder if a Google Map specialist can help me.

For some time now have been targeting certain phrases with local place names in the Search Engines, have noticed that Google Maps listing are no longer appearing under these phrases as of this weekend.

The searches are "location service" and were coming up until now.

Have checked the same searches within google.co.uk and google.com and signed in and out of my google profile all with the same result.

Have also checked "different location service" and "same location different service" the Google Maps listings are still appearing.

Initially I thought it might be related to talk about Google cracking down on spammy business names and fake locations but I can still see some real howlers when the results do appear.

I was wondering if this is:

- Just a blip the listings will eventaully reappear?
- Due to a lower search volume than usual?
- Due to some other reason?

Thanks in advance.

Justin

Gillie · Nov 8, 2009

I had google maps up only last night and it was still happening for me!

justinmarch · Nov 8, 2009

Gillie said:
I had google maps up only last night and it was still happening for me!

Yes it is appearing under some searches, but some of the ones that where coming up last week are not coming up any more.

I was wondering if this is:

- Just a blip the listings will eventually reappear?
- Due to a lower search volume than usual?
- Due to some other reason?

david64 · Nov 8, 2009

I don't pay too much attention to maps, but I have noticed a lot have disaappeared for clients and my own sites. I'd imagine this is temporary as I have seen them come and go in the pst, but it does seem a bit more widespread at the moment. Ali-v8 would be a good person to ask.

I read somewhere that at any one time Google are carrinying out around 200 test. Can't remember where I read that, but you can often see small and large changes in the SERPs.

justinmarch · Nov 8, 2009

I am assuming that it's something like that but would like to know for sure as assumptions are the... well you know what I mean...

david64 · Nov 8, 2009

Unfortunately it almost always comes down to asumptions when it comes to Google making changes :|

Alcsl · Nov 8, 2009

I'd guess at it being a temporary thing too, but Google really can move the goalposts whenever it wants from the looks of it

*Lexxy* · Nov 8, 2009

we've been in the top 3 companies listed on maps for ages for 'our service/town or county', just checked & we're half way down page 2 now!

david64 · Nov 8, 2009

Alcsl said:
I'd guess at it being a temporary thing too, but Google really can move the goalposts whenever it wants from the looks of it

Google (or at least their spokespeople) would say something like: Don't pay too much attentiont to where our goalposts stand. Do as you would otherwise and you will be rewarded.

The problem is that most people are shooting crafted spam through the posts all and thus it doesn't work in many cases :|

UKSBD · Nov 8, 2009

Google seem to be intergrating maps results in to Google Local Business
Centre. They are 2 completely seperate systems with different guidlines.
The only reason I can see them doing it is to make the Local Business
Center look busier and therefore get more people using it.
The more people using the more they will have to tighten up on the Spam
and manipulative listings.

QVA - Emma · Nov 8, 2009

Google are cracking down quickly on those that contain keywords rather than their companies legal registered name - I've seen a few clients sites drop out from good page one listings as changes have come about over the past few weeks. A few tweaks to the listing and your homepage can help though.

They have also stopped showing map listings for every single search, from the searches I've done to test it it appears the listings come up in 3 out of 5 searches.

I guess by doing this and looking at data that they store it enables them to look at bounce rates etc?

They are also cracking down on multiple locations here's a little article that may help:

http://searchengineland.com/google-targets-spammers-with-new-local-business-listing-guidelines-29077

Regards

Emma

UKSBD · Nov 8, 2009

Was only a matter of time.
The thing is, you have to be signed in to set listings up, so people who
have been spamming and abusing the guidelines need to be really careful.
Not only risking losing the listing, could lose your whole Google account.

Ali-v-8 · Nov 8, 2009

ok the truth about map listings.
google is trying to batch search terms for maps.
if you had an old listing chances are it has dropped because you need to choose the new catagories.
one of which must be a google suggestion.
also google is trying to make people verify listings.
If you appeared on page one and have another listing that is not varified say goodbye to your position.
filling in only part of the sections means you drop to someone who provides all information.
business name can still include key terms.

saxondale · Nov 8, 2009

there is one firm always in position one - even with my company name as the search term (ie Steves <generic item> Sales, My town) ..... how?

justinmarch · Nov 9, 2009

Thanks to all who have replied.

QVA - Emma said:
http://searchengineland.com/google-targets-spammers-with-new-local-business-listing-guidelines-29077

I read that as well, its why I got a bit concerned, but it relates to guideline changes (and possibly future moves to combat spam) in the company title and the physical location.

Looking at the listings that I can see they seem just as bad as ever, it's not just my listing that is effected as I stated "For some time now have been targeting certain phrases with local place names in the Search Engines, have noticed that Google Maps listing are no longer appearing under these phrases as of this weekend."

So what I was trying to say is that all company listings have gone for these specific phrases, not just mine. As previously stated I have also checked "different location service" and "same location different service" the Google Maps listings are still appearing.

Ali-v-8 said:
if you had an old listing chances are it has dropped because you need to choose the new catagories.
one of which must be a google suggestion.

I did this a while back, when you posted about it somewhere.

Ali-v-8 said:
also google is trying to make people verify listings.

Have done that as well way back when I set it up.

Ali-v-8 said:
If you appeared on page one and have another listing that is not varified say goodbye to your position.

Its not just me all listings seem to have disappeared for certain search combinations.

Ali-v-8 said:
business name can still include key terms.

Removed this yesterday just to be safe still no joy.

Anyone got any other ideas?

Maslins · Nov 9, 2009

I think Google basically cancelled the previously supreme effect of having a category as "service location". It meant I disappeared from constantly being number 1, but to be honest although it's hurt me, I think it's a good thing. I almost felt guilty that far bigger more established firms were sitting well below me!

Filling in all the other bits (payment types accepted, opening hours etc) I don't think has much impact either, I have all of these filled in and the ~5 businesses above me have none of them.

Google have said they are punishing businesses with Google Maps names that don't agree to their actual business name (ie my firm's name is "Maslins", so they wouldn't like it if I called the business "Accountants Tax Advisers Tunbridge Wells Kent" or similar for Google Maps purposes).

As to what now leads to the rankings, I don't know. I don't think it relates to the organic listings, doesn't seem to be a correlation from my experience. The one that now dominates Google Maps is a large national firm with a branch in my town. Their website doesn't organically do well at all for my town, presumably because it is national, hence the town name doesn't appear all over the page/title/H1 etc.

From what I've heard, Google checks your information against other major directories, such as yell, and your own website, so if you have different details on these to your Google Maps listing, you may be getting punished for it.

The best thing about Google Maps is that impact of changes is virtually instant, so there's none of the wait 2 months and see that goes with a lot of SEO work. Makes testing a lot easier.

So, no answers from me, but my experience suggests some of the posts above are incorrect.

Ali-v-8 · Nov 9, 2009

Sorry i know what you mean.

It is google clearing out the listings one by one.
You will see 10 listings originally. These get removed off page one. In some cases they leave one.
then when they return (which they will do) they will list only A to G (already done on most listings)

i had this issue, but every thing is fine now.

justinmarch · Nov 9, 2009

Thanks again for your help...

Ali-v-8 said:
You will see 10 listings originally. These get removed off page one. In some cases they leave one.

I have seen that, ironically it leads to a 404.

Ali-v-8 said:
then when they return (which they will do) they will list only A to G (already done on most listings)

So long story short its a blip.

Have you seen this Ali-v-8 [FONT=&quot]http://searchengineland.com/google-targets-spammers-with-new-local-business-listing-guidelines-29077[/FONT] and if so what do you think?

Ali-v-8 · Nov 9, 2009

Yep I think its is a blip.
I did one for a locksmiths and their listing took ages now page one and its fine.

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Google Maps Disappearing

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