Looks like Google CAN admit they are wrong!
June 23rd, 2010 by
So today while working with a particularly problematic listing within a particularly jacked up (for lack of a better word) market and cluster of listings, I noticed a new option Google is showing in the “Report a Problem” section.
We worked for months to straighten out a client’s listing and were finally feeling a bit of relief when everything seemed to be working… the address was showing up correctly, as was the URL, pictures, and details. Thank goodness, we thought!
That is, until this morning, when I logged into Google Places to test out the tags that are now available in 29 states. This client has some great videos and we hoped to highlight them to searchers in the 3- and 7-packs that are showing up for various terms in the market. But when I clicked on the listing, alas, it was once again pulling in details from a competitor – just a different one this time. As Places gains popularity, this issue of listing crossover appears to be a growing problem – and clearly, Google recognizes that, and even admits it by giving us the option to report that “some photos, reviews, or details belong to a different place.”
Thank you, Google, for giving us the option to report this… now, let’s see how long it takes for the reported issues to be fixed!
Hi Paula, I heard Google Places has more spam patrollers on the job and the report a problem thingie looks so friendly and helpful that I’ve been using it like crazy. I, too, can only hope that there really is someone on the other end ready, willing and able to fix some of the crazy things that are going on.
Thanks Mary! It’s so good to hear that they’re beefing up their spam patrol. The Google Places product can be so useful for local business owners and I look forward to the day all the kinks are worked out and it can be used by all to its full potential.
“crazy things that are going on” is right! I feel like we need a direct line to a Google representative. We could definitely keep a real world, live person, rep busy.
So how long did it take for Google to resolve the issue? or have they even resloved the issue?
Not as of yet. We’re still dealing with this particular mash-up of competitors due to, what we imagine, is old yellow pages records.