Thread: Crazy Google Local Page Name Conundrum - Clearing the Confusion

Conundrum: A paradoxical, insoluble, or difficult problem
Related Words: Brain-teaser, riddle, enigma

Google has created extreme Google+ Local branding confusion.
Even leading local search pros are confused and the poor SMBs are just totally bamboozled by it all!

By popular request I am going to attempt to clear the confusion, but before I get serious....

I know local SEOs who look like that. Google has us all beating our heads in!

OK but seriously, I can barely help anyone at the Google forum without having to clarify which type of page they are talking about. Which type of page are they trying to explain verification problems on. Or trying to sift through the confusion when they are referring to ONE page but calling it by a DIFFERENT name. NO ONE, not even consultants (or Google) can keep the names straight or figure out what to call them

Sometimes SMBs are so confused I have to say something like: "No I'm referring to your Google+ Local Page (which used to be called a Place page) NOT your Google+ Business page (the one with the social features). You have verified your Google+ Local (Place page) but NOT your Google+ Business page which means you have not merged your Google+ Local Page with your Google+ Business page so that's why you are having a problem with XYZ… (Kidding, but sometimes it's almost that bad!)

A common question I get asked all the time, even by PROS here at the forum is
HOW DO YOU TELL THESE PAGES APART? Or WHAT TYPE OF PAGE IS THIS ONE???


Below I attempt to answer both Qs.
What is this type of page called? AND How do you tell the different local pages apart?

So I hope that helped answer the question and provides an easy to reference guide.

If you are still confused, the simple easy answer is that a PURE Google+ Local page (the one that used to be called Place page) ONLY has a review button. The G+ Business page only has a Follow button, no review button. And a merge or verified G+ L page has BOTH!

So now in closing, I only have one more thing to say on the subject...

Image Credits: The middle serious educational image is by yours truly. (Feel free to copy and use as long as you link back directly to this post so folks can ask questions or join the discussion.)

The hysterical top and bottom images were created for me by Greg Gifford, the Director of Search and Social at AutoRevo, a software company that provides websites and online marketing to used car dealers all over the country. Greg also spends his time doing freelance website design and SEO for local businesses. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the DFWSEM. You can read his local search tips and tricks on AutoRevo’s blog at blog.autorevo.com.

So did that help clear the confusion?
Or are you still stuck in a Google Local conundrum?

Ask away below! (Or tell Greg how much you can relate to his images!)

OK so what the F*?

Just realized, as hard as I tried to get it right, even I got confused on the 2nd name option I gave the merged listing. But I guess it could be called a Verified Local Google+ page (as I have in the image)
OR a Verified Google+ Local page, which is normally what I call it.

BUT HEY! Google has not even named it yet, so we are left to guess.

ON AND... before one of the eagle-eyed members here catches it. YES my address is hidden!
And YES I merged any way. And YES it's true I should not have!

Back story... I merged the day it was announced when they forgot to tell us or had not yet told us merges were not supported for service businesses with address hidden. In fact I was the one that told them it was problematic and did not work right.

Then later they announced if you already merged with hidden address you MUST delete your G+ business page. But I wanted to keep it, so I'd have a merged page for testing purposes so they let me.

BUT do as I say, NOT as I do! Don't merge if you have hidden address!
I've been seeing deletions and suspensions for doing it.

and then there are those of us that were forced to merge, even though we didn't ask for it... and now we're stuck in limbo...

Yes Greg... and then there is THAT!

(I re-escalated to Google a 2nd time and asked for insight. Will let you know if I get any.)

Thanks again for the great images! YOU ROCK!

And don't forget that if you start today and create a verified Google+ Business page, that equals a merged page, even though you never merged anything. So we're putting things into our vocabulary that really don't belong there and we'll have a hard time dropping afterward.

Great point. There are NEW businesses that will start directly with a G+ Business page and verify it. That's another version. No merging required...

It's not like a merge is a new thing. Having the listing twice on the map creates a duplicate. The duplicates must be merged. This is just special because it is the one situation where you are allowed to have both claimed without being in violation.

But I think that Google shouldn't have referred to "merged listings"; but simply should have said you can now verify Business pages, and once you do the duplicates should merge like any other duplicates. That's how I try to express it both so that I think about it right and so I don't get it stuck in my vocabulary.

True, and good point. In addition to the confusing names there are confusing terms that mean totally different things.

When you use the word merge now, you need to be clear because there are 2 different types of merges, each with totally different issues.

Same with verification, 2 different types.

Where's that hammer... my head hurts more now!

Awesome job in clarifying all of that, Linda--thanks! I know that this will be a big help to a lot of people. But just one question...what's Google+? I'm kidding, I'm kidding! lol Thanks. Great work by you and Greg.

That is a great article and love the images Linda. I spend a good chunk of yesterday working with clients Google+ local, Google Business pages, Google authorship, Google publisher, linking, cross checking, double checking...google google google.

Man, talk about confusing. Seriously, how is the average business owner supposed to get their head around this.

Good old google....their workers must have really big brains, because they really like making things difficult.