This content republished from Web Marketing Pros
Often businesses change their names, move to new locations or shut down entirely without making changes to the online directories where they listed the business. This leads to a situation where Google search results for the web and maps can show “verified” listings for businesses that don’t exist. This new policy will help Google give more accurate local search results.
Removing the verified badge should matter to business owners because it affects how the business looks when people search for it on Google. If a customer searches for nearby delis on their mobile device and one listing is verified and the other isn’t, they are more likely to check out the verified listing first.
Stay Verified
In an effort to keep Google Maps data sources up to date, Google periodically de-verify inactive accounts that they believe are no longer actively managing their locations. It’s important to regularly review your account for errors and update your locations to stay bulk verified and up to date. If your bulk verification status is ever changed, you will be notified by email by Google.
Google may continue to reach out to you with requests to fix and/or optimize your account(s). They continuously update their policies and product to most accurately represent your locations on Google.
For more information click here about how you can keep your Local Search Optimization and Google Business Listing optimized.
Ameravant is your certified Santa Barbara Google Partner.