Thanks for nothing, Google+

katz

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Apparently, a mobile tech cannot get listed on Google+ local. I just tried to do this, clicked "verify" to confirm my business, and I am informed that I need a storefront.

Nice way to cut us mobile techs out of the mix, wouldn't you say? :rolleyes:

At least it seems this way from what I have read on their page. Am I missing something?
 
Well, if you dont have a storefront then you can claim to be "local" anywhere. Just sayin....

I sorta understand that, but a quick check of my site shows the "local" area that I service. I don't travel more than 15 mi. in any direction if I can help it, lol.

Are you sure about this?

I'm mobile


Regards,

Pretty sure, yes. if you can find info. to the contrary, that would be great.
 
I'm mobile and am listed. You have to enter a street address for verification, but you can specify that you don't want it displayed publicly.
 
This is absolutely correct. I recently had my Google+ page disabled for this same reason. I have a running dialog with a Adwords Express rep and through about 6-8 emails I was told this:

Having re escalated your issue to the Places Team they have come back with the following response.

At the moment, we are not supporting businesses without permanent customer-facing establishments that have verified their business through the Google+ platform. By verifying a Google+ page in the Local category through the Google+ platform, that allows the page to display on Google Maps just as a listing verified through the Google Places platform does. However, at the moment, we do not currently have all the functionality of Places to indicate service areas and hide addresses when a business does not have a customer-facing establishment. Therefore, we ask that users with businesses like this maintain their listings on Maps within the Google Places account. You don’t have access to all the social features of Google+ for listings on Maps — yet. Soon we’ll make it even easier for you to take full advantage of Google+’s social features and manage your listings on Google. Look for updates on that in the coming months."

Unfortunately, we can't edit the Google+ address to mimic the Places account. We are simply just not supporting those types of businesses that have verified their listing through Google+ as the full address must be entered in and cannot be hidden because there is no option to do so.

When their listing comes back, it may look like a fully verified page, which will mean that it will show the full address and the whole issue in the beginning with their listing being down will happen again. The best option would be for them to let us know when their listing has come back so we can unverify the G+ aspect of the page and ensure it's just a Places listing.

Hopefully they'll add that functionality soon.

I don't like it but for now it is what it is...
 
I'm a fan of it..... then again retail is what we do -- offices, to stores never been without for more than my first 9months.

Part of the advantage of having a physical location -- along with the "privilege" of paying rent utilities, additional property taxes etc....

Google places to me is just that... a PLACE --- not a mobile guy --- just my $0.02 though.
 
You registered things to a physical address correct? Just put that as your location. I mean insurance or the business name.

I had my home office as my physical address...that doesn't work. Well it did work since G+ was launched but not any more. It seems like they are actively seeking out those that do not have a b&m location and zapping those accounts.
 
I had my home office as my physical address...that doesn't work. Well it did work since G+ was launched but not any more. It seems like they are actively seeking out those that do not have a b&m location and zapping those accounts.

You are correct about this but as a previous poster said it's Google PLACES not Google Service Areas.

I understand it's disappointing but it's not a showstopper for SEO
 
i just went through this. had verified by + page but it wouldnt let me no show address. That stinks ooo well.
 
You are correct about this but as a previous poster said it's Google PLACES not Google Service Areas.

I understand it's disappointing but it's not a showstopper for SEO

I agree but PLACES actually ALLOWS you to hide your address and instead use a service area. G+ is what lacks that functionality. It's an actual address or nothing. The purpose, from my understanding, is that both Places and G+ will earn you a spot on Google Maps. So blocking the address on G+ is Google's way of ensuring Map accuracy (since you can't hide it). However, from the email communication I quoted earlier in this thread, it seems like they will be adding this functionality later to G+ and I would assume at that time the G+ pages will be re-enabled and will reflect a service area like Places currently does.
 
I can understand the frustration, yet it does seem unfair to complain about a free service.

Yes G+ is a free service but since reviews there are all part of Google's integration between search and social, this can play a role in how you show up organically in search results. Frequently the first 5-6 results are from Places or G+ and reviews definitely play a role. Places is directly connected to Ad Words Express. My SEO is decent and fortunately I come up on the first page for most of my services but often below the Places (or Maps) results.

What kinda ticks me off is that when using Adwords or Adwords Express addresses/service areas don't seem to matter a whole bunch. If you're paying, your ads are displaying! Your shop could be a cardboard box in an alley.
 
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