Google Advanced Verification For Locksmiths & Plumbers To Reduce Map Spam

Oct 5, 2016 - 7:56 am 4 by
Filed Under Google Maps

Maps Chalkboard Map 640

One of the more spammy areas in Google is the Google Maps results for locksmiths. Google told the top contributors, including Mike Blumenthal that they are now testing in the San Diego region a new "advanced verification" process for locksmiths and plumbers.

Those locksmiths and plumbers in that region will have to go through a more detailed maps verification process. They have until November 10th to complete the verification process correctly and if they do not, their listings will be removed.

Google's help document describes this as:

Google wants to provide useful and comprehensive local listings to people when they search for businesses. Unfortunately, we’ve identified a number of fraudulent local service businesses, including locksmiths and plumbers, who use false identities on Google.

To help reduce fraud and improve the overall experience for you and your customers, we’re now asking businesses to pass an advanced verification process. The process is simple—answer a few questions about your business and complete an application with Google’s third-party verification company.

After passing advanced verification, your business listing will continue to be eligible to appear on Google Maps and the Knowledge Panel.

Here is the process to do the advanced verification process. Google is using a third party company named Pinkerton to do the verification. They normally will take less than two weeks to complete the verification process, the documents say. Here is an FAQ on this.

I hope this works but it doesn't seem that scalable for Google Maps.

Forum discussion at Google Webmaster Help.

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Follow

Search Video Recaps

 
- YouTube
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Google Ads

Google Ads Tests Expandable & Collapsible Carousel Ads & Refinements

Oct 15, 2024 - 7:51 am
Bing Search

Bing Search Recipes Cheat Publishers?

Oct 15, 2024 - 7:41 am
Google Ads

Google Ads To Remove Data Older Than 11 Years Ago

Oct 15, 2024 - 7:31 am
Google Ads

Google Ads To Release New Penalties For Agencies & Third Parties

Oct 15, 2024 - 7:21 am
Google

Google Search Tests Angled & Off-Centered Design Elements

Oct 15, 2024 - 7:11 am
Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: October 14, 2024

Oct 14, 2024 - 10:00 am
Previous Story: Google Logo Made Of Real Nougat