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May 1, 2009

Yell.com Threatening Drop in Google Rankings?

Let me start off by saying I find this hard to believe. A Google Maps Help thread has one individual claiming that a Yell.com representative claimed that if you don't pay for your Yell.com listing, your Google listing will drop down. Yell.com is a popular UK local search engine.

The Yell representative reportedly said, "of next week, unless you pay for Yell.com, your listing on Google maps will drop down below anyone listed with Yell.com in your area."

Of course, this is not possible, Google would not let Yell.com influence how Google Maps works and ranks listings. In early 2008, there were rumors that Google would buy Yell and in 2005 Yell even powered Google Local UK, but that is long over with.

A Google Maps representative made it crystal clear. Joel H from the Google Maps team said:

Yell.com doesn't control ranking in our search results.

Maybe the poster was confused or maybe the Yell.com representative was confused or a bit crazed. I don't know for sure, but one thing I do know is that Yell.com cannot do what this poster said.

Forum discussion at Google Maps Help.



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posted rustybrick in Local Search at May 1, 2009 7:50 AM Comments (4)

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Comments

Typical Yell salesman behaviour, they'll say anything to get you to part with some extra money for your ad. They're desperate to hang onto customers as Google is taking away the need for paper directories. unfortunately some people will fall for it and pay up.

 

Posted by Mike at May 1, 2009 10:46

So you're writing that another thread had someone claiming that someone else claimed that they can improve ranking by buying a IYP product. I think it's safe to say we're far enough from the source that we have any clue of what actually was explained.

As someone who has sold SEM products to small businesses for a number of years I can't even count the number of times my customers heard what they wanted to hear.

 

Posted by Akers at May 1, 2009 14:58

I have heard this sales tactic before, they called me about ym Dad's website and said something very similar

 

Posted by Simone Icough at May 5, 2009 12:39

It's worth remembering that Google and Yell have entered a joint venture with regards to selling internet advertising, so maybe there's some truth to it?

 

Posted by Dave at July 23, 2009 05:38

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