Are You Closed for Business on Google?

At Aristotle Interactive we regularly keep our clients and friends informed of the ever-changing nature of technology and Internet trends.

A Google Place Page Problem We would like to bring to your attention a recent discovery by The New York Times, which reported that Google’s Place pages have been showing businesses as “Permanently closed” when the business was in fact still in operation. This false information could cost your business money and customers. On September 5, 2011, The New York Times published an article exposing a fundamental flaw in Google Places. On every Place page, there is a “report a problem” link that anyone can use to report that the venue “doesn’t exist” or is “permanently closed.” For whatever reason, when users report either status, Google will often accept the report without investigating whether the claim is true. Obviously, you can see the problem this may, and has, caused. The New York Times has reported that Google will rectify this mistake, but the time frame for corrections varies from a few minutes to a few weeks. Having your business appear closed online for a few weeks could cause a serious loss of customer loyalty and money. The reason your business could be “closed” on Google Places may be a glitch in Google’s system or the result of human error or human mischief.

Solution: Visit your Place Page Regularly

Google has announced that it will alert you if your business has been virtually “closed”; however, Aristotle recommends taking precautions rather than waiting for Google to fix the problem, which may never happen. Take the time to visit your Place page often if you have one. Be sure to keep your page updated at least once a week. Also be sure to make sure your hours are correct and are updated, if necessary, for the changing seasons.

Help! My Page is Listed as Closed

If, after visiting your Place page, you find it has been accidentally “closed,” immediately find the button “Not True?” This link should be adjacent to “permanently closed” listings. As noted earlier, your business may be back up within minutes, but it very well may take a week or longer.

While you wait for Google to assist you, you should post a status on your page (think Facebook’s status updates). On your page click “Owner-verified listing,” which will take you to your Dashboard. In the Dashboard, select your business, and on the next page you will see a text box in the top right-hand corner with the title “Share an update on your place page.” Use this to tell visitors that you are open until Google rectifies your page’s listing.

As always, if you have any questions relating to Google Places or need help marketing your brand online, please call us at 501-374-4638 or toll free at 1-800-995-2747. Visit us online at AristotleInteractive.com.