Google Plus Not So Much

There are a few things annoying me with Google + and Google in general.  Below is a screen shot of a hopefully well disguised client, who upon review after the transfer from Google “Places” to Google+ is showing the below link on their Google + page:  Is this your business?  Manage this page

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This indicates to my clients and to me that in fact the page is not already claimed or being managed.  Annoying.  When you log in to your account, which in itself is a bit of a maze to figure out (log in, search Google for “Google local” and basically finagle your way through the back door) you’ll see that in fact after you get to the page and you click “manage this page” that it takes you directly to your local business center where your listing is in fact being shown as a well managed and very claimed business listing!

It seems things are getting more complicated and more weird over at Google than they were in years past.  In years past, if your page was claimed, it indicated that in fact “this business page has been claimed” or some such language.  It was evident to anyone seeing the page that it was claimed.  If it wasn’t claimed, that was indicated by a mention consistent with the above stating:  ”Own this business?  manage this page”.

Why so complicated Google?

411 Directory Phone Listing Call (San Diego, CA)

If you get a phone call from (618) 704-2766, beware.  A modified recording answers and says if you’d like to confirm your Google 411 listing, please press 1. I did and a rather – how do you put it – less than crisp and professional voice on the other end started requesting information about me to verify a listing. This was a nice person – not saying he wasn’t nice – just a little less than forthcoming and clear about what the call was about.

Do not give information to people who randomly call requesting information about your business. Google does not make a practice of calling to confirm information about your business. There is more information about Google 411 calls here.  Worst case scenario:  you will be scammed of your information and talked into bogus SEO or online services.

Google Proximity Searches: Seattle, WA Seafood

It’s been a bit frustrating as of late – for a long time actually! Trying to get high quality clients to rank for “Seattle Seafood” has been tough due, in part, to Google’s notion that “Seattle” mean’s Seattle’s waterfront where, on page 1 of Google, you find places that give one a limited notion of the myriad of high quality seafood restaurants in Seattle; But they happen to be smack dab in the middle of “Google’s Centroid” – right downtown on the waterfront. Much smarter people than me have gone into more technical detail as to what is happening here, such as the almighty Mike Blumenthal in his most recent article: “Many Google Places Searches Are Showing an Increased Radius For Search Results

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