tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864121595548403682.post9033063818897447752..comments2011-11-09T14:29:05.174-08:00Comments on Google Maps and LBC: Google Maps Business Name basicsHandyAndyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12876122672025431397noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864121595548403682.post-46048387677168409272011-11-09T14:29:05.174-08:002011-11-09T14:29:05.174-08:00Interesting thoughts. People should certainly cons...Interesting thoughts. People should certainly consider the online benefits when naming their companies. Although I am not sure how much the "uniqueness" of a name really plays into mergers. I've seen some very unoriginal names go on with no merge problems whatsoever, where as the unique names see mergers. <br /><br />Perhaps you'd consider this post for a reference: <a href="http://www.searchenginepeople.com/blog/why-google-local-listings-merge-and-how-to-unmerge-listings.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.searchenginepeople.com/blog/why-google-local-listings-merge-and-how-to-unmerge-listings.html</a>Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01098610425637739225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864121595548403682.post-26135418226539501592011-11-09T12:24:02.941-08:002011-11-09T12:24:02.941-08:00Thank you so much!Thank you so much!Ellie Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11231840376889029260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864121595548403682.post-55064634826302091182010-12-16T06:29:41.031-08:002010-12-16T06:29:41.031-08:00I also reference Mike Blumenthals business naming ...I also reference Mike Blumenthals business naming blog entry in my MUST read pinned post at the top of the google Places Help Forum 'Rejected - Needs Action: Advice' which everyone with a Places entry needs to review now because of a recent change to google business guidelines. Otherwise at some point you may be Rejected.HandyAndyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12876122672025431397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864121595548403682.post-31117236127468858682010-12-16T06:08:07.136-08:002010-12-16T06:08:07.136-08:00Hi Ellie K,
1. This a bit of 'Defensive' ...Hi Ellie K,<br /><br />1. This a bit of 'Defensive' programming. Of course google make regular changes to the code and even their search model so any choice now can be invalidated. Of course your name must be the actual trading or registered business name with official and web listings out there. A new business should research Web listing advice before choosing a name. A legacy business may find a name without category and maybe location, I have tested location inclusion and it was not worthwhile then but who knows now, does not work well in a google world. Also google are picking category information out of the Business Name for the 'Lucky 1 Pack' listings which disadvantages other listings which do not show even tho the 1 Pack may be 10 miles away.<br /><br />2. I am not advocating multiple names or spamming. There is tax avoidance and tax evasion.<br /><br />3. I have experimented with longer business names which did not trigger a re-validation which triggered this thought. How ever other users have changed business name without re-verification so probably not a feature.<br /><br />I will do an address entry. It is just a question of 'Roundtuit' supply.<br /><br />Cheers. Andrew.HandyAndyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12876122672025431397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5864121595548403682.post-33226334110597873192010-11-07T15:52:10.856-08:002010-11-07T15:52:10.856-08:00You made three original observations about optimal...You made three original observations about optimal business name selection for new users of Google maps: <br /><br /><b>ONE: Every entry you make needs to be as unique as possible</b><br /><br />Seems reasonable, and analogous to the concept of "long tail" phrases for search engine discovery. <br /><br /><b>TWO: If your name contains a unique non-category related word you are less likely to be merged by a google algorithm with another business, either your own or one nearby who may be a competitor</b><br /><br />There is an unresolved request for assistance in Maps Help Forum right now that is associated with all sorts of grief. Part of the root cause is due to non-unique non-category words in a business name (the other part is due to something more along the lines of unfair competition or fraud. Not on Google's part, and not by the participants in the Maps help forum, don't want to sound like I'm being accusatory!). This is the Maps Help Forum entry: <a href="http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Places/thread?tid=5de124d2bc683ed0&hl=en/" rel="nofollow">multiple duplicates of business name issue</a><br /><br />Pondering this:<br /><b>THREE: Google seems to use the initial part of a field for determining uniqueness.</b> <br /><br />I wonder if that continues to be true even now, over nine months since you wrote this. I wouldn't know how to verify, other than empirically!<br /><br />Finally, I'd like to request the follow-up post that was promised by HandyAndy: "more addresses to come" as this one was very worthwhile!Ellie Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11231840376889029260noreply@blogger.com