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Google My Business Updates: Do You Use A Descriptor?

Are Google My Business Descriptors for Your Carlsbad Business Done?

 
Are Google My Business Descriptors Done?
 
Earlier this month – on December 2nd – Google rolled out another major update to their Google My Business guidelines.

OK, maybe guidelines should be titled, “never concrete and subject to change suggestions we can possibly penalize you for,” but that’s another argument – one none of us will win.

As stated by Google,

Following these guidelines helps avoid common problems, including changes to your information, or, in some cases, removal of your business information from Google.

So what’s the story, what do Carlsbad businesses need to know in order to secure their Google My Business page(s) ranking?

Basically it’s a name recognition thing, but first a little background.

Google had always suggested (read: mandated), that the business name with regards to the Google Places, Google+ Local, or Google My Business listings, always be consistent with the real-world business name.

For example, something like John Q. Public, D.D.S. was the suggested business name under Google My Business guidelines if in fact the dental practice was on the books (corporate entity name/DBA) as such.

Then earlier this year, (February 2014 to be exact), Google announced that business with Local pages (ones that appear in search results & maps – as opposed to Brand pages which do not get indexed in maps or “local pack” results) were allowed to use what they called descriptors in their business name.

What’s a Descriptor?

 

An example of a descriptor for a dental practice Google My Business page would be something like, Dogpatch Family Dentistry: John Q. Public, D.D.S. – with Dogpatch Family Dentistry being the descriptor.

Fast forward to December 2014, and we have witnessed yet another flip-flop by Google with regards to their guidelines for local business pages. At this time, Google only deems solo practitioners as those worthy of still using the descriptors attributes in the business name.

This is how they lay it out for all the solo Carlsbad practitioners out there to play it out…

According to the guidelines you can review here, solo practitioners’ Google My Business pages should be titled using the following format: [brand/company]: [practitioner name].

So say if yours is a mutli-doctor practice (or real estate office, law office…), each “practitioner” is still allowed a specific Google My Business page – given they actually maintain office hours that jibe with what their listing communicates.

Here’s exactly what Google has to say on the subject: (more…)

3 Ways Location Based Services Like Foursquare & Facebook Help Recruit New Local Customers

 
For some San Diego small businesses out there, location-based digital marketing opportunities like Foursquare represent an easy cost-effective addition to the overall marketing plan.

Some local business owners are already deploying their geo-location identity across multiple location-based environments.

Is Facebook still considered a location-based service to the local brick and mortar business owner? 3 Ways Location Based Services Like Foursquare & Facebook Help Recruit New Local Customers (more…)