Local Search Forum - Google+ Local IMPORTANT http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/ Google Local news, updates, guideline changes or bugs ONLY! No general discussion or questions here please. en Sun, 19 May 2013 03:34:56 GMT vBulletin 15 http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/images/5Star/misc/rss.png Local Search Forum - Google+ Local IMPORTANT http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/ Google I/O 2013 - Google Local and Maps Updates http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/google-local-important/6958-google-i-o-2013-google-local-maps.html Fri, 17 May 2013 15:51:04 GMT I'm still waiting for my Google Maps invite Google said they would give TCs early.

But Ryan just posted an awesome video walkthrough showing some of the changes that will affect us here in the world of local search.

http://localsearchforum.catalystemar...ogle-maps.html ]]> Google+ Local IMPORTANT Linda Buquet http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/google-local-important/6958-google-i-o-2013-google-local-maps.html <![CDATA[Massive Google Local Updates, Review Stars are Back & Tons More]]> http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/google-local-important/7023-massive-google-local-updates-review-stars-back.html Fri, 17 May 2013 15:50:36 GMT I'm still waiting for my Google Maps invite Google said they would give TCs early.

But Ryan just posted an awesome video walkthrough showing some of the changes that will affect us here in the world of local search.

http://localsearchforum.catalystemar...ogle-maps.html ]]> Google+ Local IMPORTANT Linda Buquet http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/google-local-important/7023-massive-google-local-updates-review-stars-back.html BREAKING! Google+ Business Merge with Google Place Pages Starts Now! http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/google-local-important/323-breaking-google-business-merge-google-place-pages.html Fri, 17 May 2013 15:39:37 GMT ---Quote (Originally by erjdavis)--- If we are in the old dashboard should we still wait on merging, or should we merge? ---End Quote--- Yes,...
Quote:
Originally Posted by erjdavis View Post
If we are in the old dashboard should we still wait on merging, or should we merge?
Yes, Google is still saying wait. But if you have not set up a Google profile yet, you can go ahead and do that part. Just make sure to set it up in same account. Then when it's time to merge it will be easy. ]]> Google+ Local IMPORTANT Linda Buquet http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/google-local-important/323-breaking-google-business-merge-google-place-pages.html Google Local Update - Review STARS Coming Back? http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/google-local-important/6960-google-local-update-review-stars-coming-back.html Fri, 17 May 2013 14:52:41 GMT I noticed that for several clients of mine 0 out 3 in zagat is translating to 2/5 in stars rating, fyi I noticed that for several clients of mine 0 out 3 in zagat is translating to 2/5 in stars rating, fyi ]]> Google+ Local IMPORTANT a11c http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/google-local-important/6960-google-local-update-review-stars-coming-back.html New Option - Move Google Reviews http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/google-local-important/7033-new-option-move-google-reviews.html Thu, 16 May 2013 23:54:14 GMT This is great :) This is great :) ]]> Google+ Local IMPORTANT Colan Nielsen http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/google-local-important/7033-new-option-move-google-reviews.html More Phone Support + New Places Troubleshooter http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/google-local-important/7025-more-phone-support-new-places-troubleshooter.html Thu, 16 May 2013 18:48:04 GMT Wanted to share a screenshot of the new "Google Places Troubleshooter" that you get along with the new Google Places Dashboard, once you are upgraded.

IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT DIRECT PHONE SUPPORT BELOW THE IMAGE.

Name: PlacesNewTroubleshooter.jpg Views: 150 Size: 69.6 KB

To get to the "troubleshooter" click help from the dashboard, then contact us.

Above you can see a little different design and options laid out a little differently, as well as some new options.

But NOTE the "call us" link it right on top, front and center and therefore appears to be available for all types of problems now.

Initially phone support was offered as a test, only for verification problems.

Then at the end of January phone support was opened up to include "data problems" which I believe excluded things like dupe problems.

Plus the screenshot at the link right above, showed that the phone support option was a little hidden and easy to miss.

In the screenshot above, phone support is front and center. "CALL US" Very cool!

I announced in one of the many Google update threads I just did, that "At a Glance" snippets will soon be shown front and center right in the new "Places Search" results. See screenshot in this thread:
Major Google Local Update Rolling Out - Maybe Even STARS?

In the past, if these snippets were wrong or even totally terrible, it was tough to get them changed. And for quite some time Google even said they could not/would not change them - that it was pure algo driven.

So based on the new troubleshooter above it looks like help will be available too for "At a Glance" problems.

So again TONS of things are being improved. Some are not visible yet depending on what stage of the updates you are at. But MANY things are in the works that will make things better on multiple levels.

Please see a summary of a bunch of other updates that are happening right now here:
Massive Google Local Updates, Review Stars are Back & Tons More
Attached Images
 
]]> Google+ Local IMPORTANT Linda Buquet http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/google-local-important/7025-more-phone-support-new-places-troubleshooter.html Google Local Listings Carousel? Major Update Coming? http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/google-local-important/6827-google-local-listings-carousel-major-update-coming.html Thu, 16 May 2013 17:49:10 GMT I attempted to summarize all the different Google updates and post the most important links in this thread: Massive Google Local Updates, Review... I attempted to summarize all the different Google updates and post the most important links in this thread:
Massive Google Local Updates, Review Stars are Back & Tons More ]]> Google+ Local IMPORTANT Linda Buquet http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/google-local-important/6827-google-local-listings-carousel-major-update-coming.html <![CDATA[Changes to Places Search & Google SERPs Display]]> http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/google-local-important/6222-changes-places-search-google-serps-display.html Wed, 15 May 2013 17:25:01 GMT Heads up. Another major update spotted and I think all of this is tied together with the maps update that was also leaked. Keep eye on these 2... Heads up. Another major update spotted and I think all of this is tied together with the maps update that was also leaked.

Keep eye on these 2 threads!

http://localsearchforum.catalystemar...out-maybe.html

THIS IS WHY PLACES SEARCH and "more results" went away I think! To test that new display in stealth mode and so it could go live and they could show today at the event below.

http://localsearchforum.catalystemar...feed-here.html

I think all will be announced at the "Future of Maps" section coming up 12:45 PST.
Watch the feed live at that 2nd link! EXCITING DAY! ]]> Google+ Local IMPORTANT Linda Buquet http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/google-local-important/6222-changes-places-search-google-serps-display.html New Google Places AKA Google+ Local Fraud Alert http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/google-local-important/4529-new-google-places-aka-google-local-fraud.html Tue, 14 May 2013 19:10:07 GMT I have clients that get these calls, too. The number is always changing, but the calls are the same. The most recent number is 802-488-3091. When I... I have clients that get these calls, too. The number is always changing, but the calls are the same. The most recent number is 802-488-3091. When I call that number it just says "press 1 to have your number removed from the call list." I finally was able to get a client to play dumb and go through the call the other day. These people (who will NOT tell you the name of their business) say they are will Google and can send a card and claim your profile for money. The client that took the call has a beautiful profile in the top spot for all keywords. I had to inform all of my clients that this is a scam and they should simply block the number and ignore it. Some people have no integrity... ]]> Google+ Local IMPORTANT Kel http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/google-local-important/4529-new-google-places-aka-google-local-fraud.html More Google Local Changes - Location Links + Rich Snippets are Back? http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/google-local-important/6642-more-google-local-changes-location-links-rich.html Sun, 12 May 2013 07:58:02 GMT Here, i shared the technique (http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/organic-seo/4604-schema-reviews-authorship-2.html) to bring the review... Here, i shared the technique to bring the review stars back to the local results using Schema markup.

I'm on the fence about whether my particular method is shady, as essentially, if you are pointing to a genuine testimonials page, with genuine reviews then you can rest easy.

What's certain is that it does work and it does help my clients. That is my main priority :D ]]> Google+ Local IMPORTANT Nick.SEOSpark http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/google-local-important/6642-more-google-local-changes-location-links-rich.html Major Update - New Google Places Dashboard - All-in-one Local Listing Management http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/google-local-important/5158-major-update-new-google-places-dashboard-all.html Tue, 07 May 2013 04:37:26 GMT Thank goodness. Finally a couple steps forward! Awesome breakdown Linda. Thank you so much... Also great inside from everyone else including Mike.... Thank goodness. Finally a couple steps forward! Awesome breakdown Linda. Thank you so much... Also great inside from everyone else including Mike. Keep up the great work!!! ]]> Google+ Local IMPORTANT Blake Farris http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/google-local-important/5158-major-update-new-google-places-dashboard-all.html