Google+ Local Business Page or Google Places or Google Maps Local Business? Google Expert Rant!

Aug. 13, 2012 - PRLog -- There is no doubt that one of the most sought after prizes on the web today is the internet site that replaces the old traditional printed yellow pages.  The possible income from winning the gold in that race is in the many billions of dollars.  While many may argue that they are still in the running, the reality is that Google, Yelp, and YellowPages are the dominant forces in the Internet Olympics.  

Randy Kirk is an author and consultant on all things marketing, but in particular Google Places.  He is completely dumfounded by Google's approach to branding their directory:  "Google started out with a clumsy version of their Maps search called Google Maps Local Business Center.  If Yelp or YellowPages had capitalized on their superior branding three or four years ago, the game might have ended there.  But their content was horrible and Yelp had a horrible relationship with business owners," Kirk noted.

Then Google made their one smart move in this multi-year saga.  They created a new search engine called Google Places.  The came up with a iconic icon of a red place marker, and they vaulted into the clear lead.  Kirk says, "I was so impressed that I created a blog called www.GooglePlacesHelp.blogspot.com and quickly put up 50 pages of how to instructions for business owners."

The last two or so years have been tumultuous for internet marketers like Kirk.  Google seems to change the rules every week.  Then this year they made a massive change which Kirk believes was great on process and absolutely nuts on branding.  "Google themselves has no idea what their new brand is.  They have spent multiple millions of dollars cranking up the Google+ brand, but that is their social media effort.  Then the attached Google+ local business pages like some kind of appendage."

Kirk continues:  "Clearly this new direction helps with content, business owner control of their listing, and helps Google to leapfrog into 2nd place as a social media resource.  But the Google+ brand gets all muddy with the addition of Google+ Local or Google+ Local Business Listing.  It isn't good."

Do a search for a business that is clearly local like bike shop, and you will now get a blended review in the "web" search.  Some of the page will be websites, blog posts, images, or videos, but the page will be dominated by "Places" listings.  Go to the left of the search page and you can choose the specific Places search.  It is not a Google+ local search.  Confusion is the current status of this entire area.  Kirk says that he's voting for the return to the Google Places designation.  "It was perfect in every way.  Great short brand, great icon, super potential for consumer awareness.  But for now, we can only hope that all that talent at Google won't go to waste on this branding fiasco."

You can reach Randy Kirk at 310-910-1848