Google local?

[mugatea]

Whats this all about? And should I/we need to optimise for it?

https://plus.google.com/local

 

[jttaylor]

I've been pondering on the same thing. I've been noticing some weird local listing serp changes over the last few days.

Example: Search "IT Support London" Click on "Google reviews" on one of the listings. You will notice it takes you to Googles normal place review programme.

However, come back a step to the serp's again and click on one of the letters representing Map markers next to the addresses in the listings. This then takes you to google maps and the marker location. You will notice in the left sidebar there is a link again for "reviews" usually with the number of reviews. If you click that this time it takes you to the New Google Plus reviews.

I think at the minute this whole thing is still rolling out however it's something we definitely need to keep an eye on.

 

[OldWelshGuy]

Google are moving all their places listings to google+ for business, this is better news, although, sadly, they are still including orphaned listings. They are automatically transferring places to Googlee+ pages.

Oh and the answer is yes, make a google+ for bsuiness page. Soon (then watch google probably wipe it out as they merge it )

 

[UKSBD]

It is as good as an admission of failure from Google.

They couldn't get small business owners to legitimately sign up to Google+ Pages so they resort to pulling in the data and listings from Places and Maps thus creating another mess of outdated and fake data.

 

[maxh]

I've not looked into it properly yet.

My thoughts are g+'s just became more valuable!

Planning on spending tomorrow with this.

 

[UKSBD]

I've not looked into it properly yet.

My thoughts are g+'s just became more valuable!

Planning on spending tomorrow with this.

Google+ Pages are brilliant if you know what you are doing.
The problem is it is to closely integrated with Google+ Profiles and now they are integrating it with Places too it could go either way.

Why they can't just have one good stand alone system is beyond me.

 

[StokedSEO]

It is as good as an admission of failure from Google.

I don't agree that it's any admission of failure at all. Google is consolidating it's products around the "plus" platform, this was always going to happen

 

[UKSBD]

They have had nearly 12 months of trying to get people using Google+ Pages, it's obvious this just wasn't working so they are now pulling in data from Maps and Places listings.

This will result in the same mess we have in Places with people having numerous listings and not knowing which to claim and update.

I dare say they will be displaying these in the SERPS and acting like a ten bob directory who creates business listings without the owners consent, optimises them for the business name in the hope the business owner will find their listing and register to update it.

The only difference between Google and the cheap ten bob directories is Google will have had it somewhere in the terms and conditions of Maps and Places that they can effectively sdo whatever they like with any info submitted.

Don't get me wrong, I think Google+ Pages could be great, I can just see them creating a right mess by cutting corners, creating the listings and hoping the businesses claim them.

 

[OldWelshGuy]

My problem is this, I have completely seperate lives, I have my business life, My private life, and my sports administration life, they simply don't overlap.

Google simply and totally CAN NOT understand this is the way with many people. My fear is that google will just consolidate a shedload of information and as a result probably (once again) trample on the laws of privacy.

Honestly I am getting more worried by the day. Google believe everything can be done algorithmically, and that no matter WHAT they do, it is acceptable because after all 'We are Google , and we do no evil' Unfortunately this is not the case.

I am hoping that the one positive in all of this is that the pages and changes will go live instantly, rather than waiting for 6 weeks for a card never to arrive. OTOH, it opens up the door to negative SEO again.

It could go either way, but going on recent performance by Google, my guess is they will mess this one up as well.

 

[UKSBD]

So I've spent 7 months building up a Google+ Page, using it in my rel publisher tag, building up circles, engaging with Google+, etc. etc.
(admittedly not much with this page as I use my profile and other pages more)

The Page I created is here - https://plus.google.com/103563672979902985266/

and now Google decide my Google+ Page is here instead - https://plus.google.com/114569337265388013910/

I wonder what will happen if they combine them

 

[OldWelshGuy]

So I've spent 7 months building up a Google+ Page, using it in my rel publisher tag, building up circles, engaging with Google+, etc. etc.
(admittedly not much with this page as I use my profile and other pages more)

The Page I created is here - https://plus.google.com/103563672979902985266/

and now Google decide my Google+ Page is here instead - https://plus.google.com/114569337265388013910/

I wonder what will happen if they combine them

That is my worry.

 

[UKSBD]

Add to that all the reviews I had which had peoples names next to them now just say "A Google User" which makes them look fake and carp

 

[OldWelshGuy]

As I said, it will be another google screw up!

Next they will remove your listings for having fake reviews, ban your backside, and refuse to communicate with you

 

[ScottAllenSEO]

Most certainly yes make your local Google page - Its 10mins work

 

[redalien]

The problem with Google is the same as ever. They make any new rule when ever they want and we have to bow to it.
Business owners with places pages couldnt be bothered with Google+ unless it added visible search value! Now they have no choice.

 

[Andrew Baker]

Vanessa Schneider at Google announced yesterday that they will be offering a MERGE option soon...

That is if you already have a business Google+ Page & your Google Places Page has now been imported into Google+ as a new Google+ Local Page then you will be able to merge them into one page to manage.

Facebook created the same issue when they rolled out FB Place Pages along side FB Pages, eventually a merge option was provided, hopefully Google's solution is as painless.

 

[maxh]

My problem is this, I have completely seperate lives, I have my business life, My private life, and my sports administration life, they simply don't overlap.

Google simply and totally CAN NOT understand this is the way with many people. My fear is that google will just consolidate a shedload of information and as a result probably (once again) trample on the laws of privacy.

Honestly I am getting more worried by the day. Google believe everything can be done algorithmically, and that no matter WHAT they do, it is acceptable because after all 'We are Google , and we do no evil' Unfortunately this is not the case.

I am hoping that the one positive in all of this is that the pages and changes will go live instantly, rather than waiting for 6 weeks for a card never to arrive. OTOH, it opens up the door to negative SEO again.

It could go either way, but going on recent performance by Google, my guess is they will mess this one up as well.

I know this feel.

I've currently got my cagefighting, jazz playing and private dermatology all lumped into one profile...even *I'm* getting confused!

 

[softwaredevelopersuk]

Google re branded the Google place pages with Google plus local. Following ways are helpful to optimize your products or services on that region:
Ask review from your customers about your products, also can write a review from the social networks. integrate your site details with Google maps data.