Google Places changes
There are some substantial updates in the pipeline for Google places, it seems it follows a theme that is developing of focusing on tying your google profile to content on the internet that you have authored.
Firstly the Google Places system is about to get a new impetus to reviews because Google are just about to become active in encouraging businesses to provide computer terminals where their customers can easily leave a review. One element of this is that previously reviews coming from the same ip address were being filtered out but clearly this latest move will cause a major spike in reviews from the same ip. The fail safe measure being that people will have to use their Google profiles now or eventually in order to leave the reviews hence minimising the ability for businesses to review their own offering. Apparently a filter will be in place to flag any ip address producing more than 10 reviews in a day.
Google has finally admitted what we have known for a long time that if you have several google places listings that seem to be stuck as permanently pending, then create a brand new account and submit a new listing from there as the algorithm has clearly hit a brick wall. Also if you receive a message saying your account has been suspended don’t expect that to be a temporary state, Google has finally admitted this is a Permanent state and that to get a Google Places listing you will need to open a new account.
News reached us last week of a new Google venture which will break the mould. They have started an experiment in one particular city in the states, where they have deployed “Google Places reps”, to preach the message of Google local and build awareness. They may not be ready for the potential backlash they are likely to get from disgruntled business owners who have been kicked where it hurts particularly by Places algorithm issues of the ilk mentioned above(suspended accounts and pending listings as well as other foibles). However the concept of Google rolling out some level of customer service can only be welcomed and like any business trying to look after their users and customers instead of treating them with contempt, no doubt it will help their bottom line.
