Most Google Map Listings are Inaccurate or Incomplete. Is Yours?
This post is part of the series Making the Most of Your Google Maps/Google Local Business Center Listing.
So you have a listing on Google Maps, but is the information listed for your business accurate? Google pulls information from various sources, much of which is good, but much of which is outdated or just plain wrong. In the past two weeks, I have seen businesses listed with an old business name, listed with an old website, listed with a wrong address, and listed missing key company information such as business category.
If you’ve already added or updated your business information on Google Maps, you can skip to the bottom. Otherwise, follow these steps:
- Before you begin, if you don’t already have a Google account, sign up for one here.
- Next, find your business listing on Google and ‘Edit’ the listing – SEE BELOW. (For help finding your listing – click here)
OR
- Claim your Business – SEE BELOW. Yes, you can edit your listing without claiming it, but so can everyone else in the world who uses Google. By claiming your business, you claim your ownership and the exclusive rights to edit it.
- On the next screen, select ‘Edit’ and ‘Continue’
- Thoroughly review and update your business information – SEE BELOW. All of the fields are not required – if you don’t have a website and/or don’t want to be contacted via an email address, just leave those sections blank.
- Pay special attention to the description box. List all of the different services your firm offers. Think about how searchers might be searching for you.
- Also pay special attention to the categories – SEE BELOW. Accurately filling these out helps Google classify your business and match you with the best searches. Try to be as specific as possible, using the Google suggested categories if you can, or if not, writing in your own categories. Fortunately, Google is very good at drawing inferences. For example, if you are a flooring company and list a specific category such as ‘Wood Floor Installation’, Google knows that you also will be appropriate for the more general ‘Flooring’ category. Google only allows 5 categories, so be specific with your choices and use your best judgment.
- Finally, after you submit this page, Google will validate your updated business listing by phone (immediately) or by postcard. Your updated listing isn’t published until you complete this validation procedure.
- Congratulations! You have a claimed and updated business listing on Google Maps. If you don’t see your changes appear immediately, give it a couple days to update. Now continue reading to get the most out of your listing.
Making the Most of Your Google Maps/Google Local Business Center Listing
1 – Are you Listed in Google Maps?
2 – Most Google Map Listings are Inaccurate or Incomplete. Is Yours?
3 – The Case of the Italian Restaurant that wasn’t an Italian Restaurant and the Dangers of Not Being Correctly Categorized In Google Maps (Coming Soon)
4 – Google Maps Alone is Not a Marketing Strategy. The Limitations of a Google Map Listing (Coming Soon)
5 – A Picture is Worth More Than a Thousand Words on Google Maps and other Secrets to Helping Your Listing Stand Out (Coming Soon)
6 – Who is Looking for You? Using Google Maps Analytics (Coming Soon)
7 – Can I Get to The Top of the Google Map Business Listings (Coming Soon)
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