Updates on Reviews in Google+ Local Pages

Google has updated its spam detection algorithm, as announced by a Googler, Dasha in the Google Product Forums

"To protect both business owners and customers from spam reviews, we have systems in place that may remove individual reviews." as posted in the product forum.

From the forum,

For reviewers:

• Make sure you’ve taken a look at our review content guidelines.
• Sometimes you may want to review multiple locations of the same business, such as your favorite fast food chain. Just remember to tailor each review to the specific location. Others will want to know what sets that location apart - be it the super friendly drive thru person, or maybe the unexpectedly awesome lake views.
• Don’t write reviews for your current employer. We don’t allow reviews from current owners or employees.
• Spam bots use URLs to redirect to other sites or potentially spread malware. We won’t show reviews with links, so, don’t put URLs in the text of your reviews

For business owners:

• Be wary of an SEO or reputation management service that promises to generate reviews for your business. We’ve seen companies make up fake glowing testimonies -- and we’ll take them down.
• We don’t take down negative reviews for simply being negative for anyone, regardless of any other relationships with Google. Instead, we encourage you to utilize the owner response functionality to respond to the review and address the user’s concerns.
• If a third party claims that they know how to remove reviews from Google, don’t believe them. Google does not work with any third party reputation management companies and we certainly don’t remove reviews unless they violate our guidelines.
• Don’t set up a computer or tablet device in your place of business for customers to leave reviews on site. Consider sending a reminder e-mail so customers can review on their own time.
• Remember, we don’t allow you to give customers free gifts or discounts for leaving reviews.

For SEOs:

• If a business accepts paper comment cards it might be tempting to collect them and “digitize” them by posting the reviews on Google+ Local. We ask that all reviews come from first hand experience and do not allow posting reviews on behalf of others.

For everyone:

• If you see a review that violates our policy guidelines, you can report the review to us by clicking on the gray flag icon next to the review in question. You’ll be taken to a form where you can tell us why you’re flagging that review. Please note that we won’t follow up with you individually, but we do review every piece of content that is flagged.

from, Google Product Forums

Edits are verified - Google+ Local Page

Any edits in your Google+ Local Page are verified before publishing.

All changes to your listing may be subject to review to ensure they follow the quality guidelines for listings as well as the Google+ content policy.

from: https://support.google.com/business/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=2721845&p=appearance_time


Any edits made to the listing are reviewed and

• Some edits may go live shortly

• Some edits may be pending review

• Some edits may be rejected or modified

from: https://support.google.com/business/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=2734686&p=edits_unaccepted 

Google+ Page Profile Photo in search

Provide a profile photo of your business for your Google+ Page. Your business profile photo appears in Google search results such as in local search.

Sometimes Google search even provides Street View for your business.

We currently do not support the location in Google Places

Received the PIN, verified and this is what we see if we try to "See your listing on Google" in the dashboard. Yes, Google still has not solved this "We currently do not support the location" issue.
This is a newly created business listing and needs to have citations as well.

Verified Business Owner for Your Google+ Page

From the post, Jade Wang, Community Manager for Google+ Local,
http://productforums.google.com/forum/#!category-topic/business/technical-issue/cLdShAg9xYs 

Hey guys,

For those of you that have created local Google+ pages (with social features) -- good news! Today, you can become the verified business owner for that local Google+ page.

In essence, this will combine the page you created in Google+ with the page in Google+ Local (formerly Places listing). Your business’ presence across Google Search, Google Maps, and Google+ will be unified. You’ll be able to manage this page from Google+ Pages admin. Check out the Meatball Shop for an example of a combined page, with both social features and reviews.

If you’re ready, just click on Verify now on the right side of the page. You’ll need to verify that you’re representing your business by having a postcard sent, even if you’re a verified business owner on Google Places for Business. Also note that verification will only work for pages created in the "Local Business or Place" category in Google+.

The new upgraded pages aren’t yet available for those that just have local Google+ pages with reviews. We’re working on getting the upgraded experience to all business owners. If you’re curious, go ahead and create a Google+ page in the local category. 

Got questions? Reply here -- I’ll update this post with answers.

Thanks,

Jade 

Also,
A helpful post, Step by Step Guide to the Google+ Business/Local Merge Verification Process

Bing Local Powered By Yelp

What is Yelp?
Yelp is an online urban city guide that helps people find cool places to eat, shop, drink, relax and play, based on the informed opinions of a vibrant and active community of locals in the know. Yelp is the fun and easy way to find, review and talk about what's great — and not so great — in your world. 

from http://www.yelp.com.au/faq#what_is_yelp

From Bing Blog
http://www.bing.com/community/site_blogs/b/search/archive/2012/06/14/bing-and-yelp-help-you-do-more-with-local-search.aspx

Yelp Blog
http://officialblog.yelp.com/2012/06/yelp-to-power-bing-local-search.html

Google+ Page in Google Local Search

Places Page is seen as Google+ Page in the Google Local Search.

Search term used was ' dentist melbourne'

Google Places was rolled out to Google+ Local.

Video: Google+ Local

We all know that Google+ Local is the new Google Places for your local business listings, but still Google+ Local has heaps of questions to answer.

Here's a video from Google+ Local



Resources for your FAQ

What is Google+ Local ?
http://support.google.com/plus/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=2531255&topic=2489960&ctx=topic

From Google Product Forum
https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!category-topic/business/need-advice/oRvAQC_IakA

Reviews in Google+ Local business page Zagat Reviews

Zagat in Australia a week ago from http://google-au.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/zagat-burgundy-bible-comes-to-australia.html.

The Google+ Local has added Zagat to review any local business. With this new Google+ Local, users will require Google Plus account to post any reviews.

Integrated Zagat reviews ( http://googleandyourbusiness.blogspot.com.au/ )
For years, Zagat has provided trustworthy, concise, user-generated reviews, and we are excited to bring these to Google+ Local. We’ve also updated our scoring system to Zagat’s time-tested 30-point scale, so that users can better share their view about what makes a place unique.

Google+ Local Scores Explanation : http://support.google.com/plus/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=1723748

When you’re searching for locations in Google+ Local, you may see these scores depicted in two ways:Scores with multiple aspects

These scores will show you several scores for different aspects of the business. For example, restaurants are scored across three areas--food, decor, and service--with food being the primary aspect.

Overall scores

When we don’t have enough user ratings on different aspects, we will just show an overall score. An overall score is comparable to a score in the primary aspect for a location, like food for restaurants.

Create Google+ Local Page For Your Business in Australia

Now that Google has a new Google Places Page, Google+ Local, here's how you can create a Google+ Local Page for your local business.

Creating a Google+ Local Page For Your Local Business in Australia

1. Log in to your Google+ account or create one.
2. Once you are logged in, hover your mouse over "More" and click on "Pages" and click on "Create New Page".
3. Click on "Local Business or Place" option.
4. By default, Australia is chosen. Provide your business phone number and click "locate".
5. Google now tries to find if there's existing Business Name with that Phone Number.
6. If your business already exists, Choose your Business and edit your business information.
7. And if your business doesn't exist, click "add your business to Google" and provide your Business Name, Business Phone Number, Business Address, Choose Your Business Category, Choose Google+ Age Selector and click on "Create Page".
8. Enjoy.

 

 Choose "Pages" to create Google+ Local Page.

Create Your Local Business Page

Google+ Local Is New Google Places

Google has rolled out Google+ Local which is the new Google Places. Local business owners will now see new interface for their Google Places Page.

Google announced the release of Google+ Local and with the business places page gets a local plus page.
The Google+ users can see "Local" tab in their +page.

What are New ?

1. Google Places Page has a Google Plus Page.
2. +Google users have the "local" tab, and hence the business reaches to more +Google users.
3. +Google users can review your local business.
4. Integrated Zagat Reviews. More about Google+ Local Reviews: https://support.google.com/local/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=1723748&p=zagat_score

More: http://googleandyourbusiness.blogspot.com

P.O Box in Google Places Not Permitted Any Longer

From the Google Places quality guidelines http://support.google.com/places/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=107528

This guideline allowed business owner to put P.O Box in Address Line 2.   

Business Location: Use a precise, accurate address to describe your business location.

• Do not create a listing or place your pin marker at a location where the business does not physically exist. P.O. Boxes are not considered accurate physical locations. If you operate from a location but receive mail at a mail box there, please list your physical address in Address Line 1, and put your mail box or suite number in Address Line 2. 

But, P.O Box will no longer be permitted in address line 1 or address line 2.

Google Places is updating the Guidelines soon. From the forum, Vanessa Schneider, Community Manager posted,

Wanted to update everyone on some changes to our guidelines regarding P.O. Boxes.

As it stands today, we allow users to list their P.O. Box in Address Line 2. This sends your listing for manual review to our teams (that’s why you might see your listing’s status as “Pending”), who then verify the accuracy of Address Line 1.

Because Google Maps listings should be reflective of a business’s physical location, and mail receiving locations don’t fit this description, we’ve made a change to this policy. P.O. Boxes are no longer permitted in either Address Line 1 or 2.

Now, we know many businesses can only receive the verification postcard at a P.O. Box. If you are one of those businesses, or if you have a P.O. Box in the address field for an already verified listing, please see these next steps:

Have a verified listing containing a P.O. Box?

Make sure your listing remains active:

    Sign in at places.google.com
    Select “Edit”
    Remove the term “P.O. Box” from the address fields
    Save your changes

If this change requires reverification, and you can’t verify using the available options, please visit this contact form and select the following options:

Select: I tried PIN verification for a single listing → Yes, the listing already appears owner-verified

Are you setting up a brand new Places listing?

Try creating and verifying the listing using your physical location. If you don’t meet customers at your address, make sure you hide your business location. Places may give you the option to verify by phone.

If you cannot verify using the available options, you’ll need to request a manual verification using this troubleshooter path:

Select: I tried PIN verification for a single listing → No, I am attempting to verify my listing --> The status is not Needs Action --> Postcard --> Yes

Once you submit a request via the contact form, please give the Google Places support team up to a week to get back in touch with you via e-mail.

Note: Users with a “P.O. Box” in Address Line 1 or 2 should have received an e-mail by now explaining this policy change and next steps (via the e-mail associated with your Places account).

- Vanessa

 Forum Link : https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!category-topic/business/need-advice/VNH9Aa21ShI

Google Places New Tool To Manage Multiple Location Listings

Google Places makes it easier for business owners to manage multiple business listings with upgraded bulk listing management tool.

Google Places team has provided video tutorials for New User and Verified User:

Video for New User

Video for Verified User

Read more from:
http://googlesmb.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/manage-multiple-locations-more-easily.html

Google Places Adds New Quality Guideline

Google Places quality guidelines is updated to add following :

 Marketing, promotions, or other contests

• Any promotion, marketing, contests, or other giveaways should clearly link to the terms of the activity and provide clear guidelines and qualifications. All such promises, given or implied, should be adhered to.

 More from

http://www.ngsmarketing.com/promotions-and-contests-on-google-placesgle-places/

http://support.google.com/places/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=107528

At a glance for your business in Google Places

In the local business listing in Google Maps, we see "At a glance" below the reviews. These are mostly up to five terms.

So what is At a glance ?

These are called Descriptive Terms. Google local search algorithm provides these descriptive terms.

More about Descriptive terms in local search results from http://support.google.com/maps/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=1344353 

Citations and Reviews for Google Places Listings Australia

Google gathers information from different sources across the web and matches with the information you provide for your local business in Google Places. Commonly called NAP (Name, Address and Phone Number) has to be correct and consistent both in online and offline world.
When you provide details of your business to other sources like local directories, you need to make sure that you do not have conflicting data with Google Places listing. Citation of business details are correct for Google bots and for customers as well.

There are many sources for providing details of your local business in Australia.

www.yellowpages.com.au
www.whitepages.com.au
www.truelocal.com.au
www.hotfrog.com.au
www.eatability.com.au
www.urbanspoon.com
www.menulog.com.au
www.yourrestaurants.com.au
www.yelp.com.au
www.raveaboutit.com.au

and many more.

Here's Ten Things in Google Places to take care of.

We know Reviews in the Google Places are important for ranking in Google local search. Similarly reviews for your business in other sources also are helpful. Happy customers are always happy to leave reviews for your quality services.

Also Search quality highlights: 40 changes for February 2012

No face-to-face business at your location, Do not show business address on Maps

If your customers do not visit you for business at your business location, you need to hide your business address from the Google Maps Listing. Under the  Service Areas and Location Settings in Google Places settings, check the Do not show my business address on my Maps listing.

If you don't conduct face-to-face business at your location, you must select the "Do not show my business address on my Maps listing" option within your dashboard. If you don't hide your address, your listing may be removed from Google Maps.

http://support.google.com/places/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=107528