Google+ Local and Google+ Business Pages: The Merge | Google ...

In May when Google+ Local replaced Google Places, it was positioned as a new way for users to share and discover local businesses using Google?s social network. With a new name and look, integration of free Zagat reviews and more social features to come, Google+ Local promised to create one simple experience across Google for searchers. But what about businesses that had already created Google+ Pages, and worked hard to build their network of circles?would they now have to closely monitor two different Google platforms? Earlier this month, Google announced the beginning of a solution?phase one of the integration of Google+ Local listings and social Google+ Pages?allowing business owners to manage their presence from one dashboard.

Who can you merge Google+ Local and social Google+ Pages?

As of now, the verification will only work for pages created in the ?Local Business or Place? category in Google+. If your page was created under a different category, such as ?Product or Brand? or ?Company, Institution or Organization? you can either wait for the verification process to support those categories, or create a new page under the local category.

Visit Google?s Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

How can you merge Google+ Local and social Google+ Pages?

If you created a Google+ Page in the local category, when you sign into your page, you?ll see ?Verify? on the right of your page. Google will send you a postcard with next steps. Visit Mike Blumenthal?s blog post for a step-by-step guide.

Should you merge the two?

As of now, functionality of the merge is limited to only local Google+ Pages. There aren?t any new exciting social features YET, but Google says a new dashboard with increased functionality is on its way along with some better social management tools.

There is also currently no way for businesses with many locations to have a single social stream for multiple locations.

Our Suggestions

• If you have a local Google+ Page, you have nothing to lose by becoming a verified owner; in fact, you may even be staying ahead of the curve.
• If you have a Google+ Page under a different category, sit tight, Google will come up with a solution for all!
• If you don?t have a Google+ Page, considering joining. Remember to create your page as a ?Local Business or Place.? Upon logging into Google+ and clicking ?Create a Page,? this is the first question you will be prompted with.

Regardless of if you have, or plan on having a social Google+ Page, your Google+ Local listing should be claimed and filled with information, pictures and reviews. At MedNet, we offer a variety of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) plans that will help boost your online presence by building out your local listings, optimizing your site for popular keywords and building links to your site. Contact us to learn more!

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 16th, 2012 at 2:16 pm and is filed under Google Places. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Source: http://www.mednet-tech.com/newsletter/google-places/google-local-and-google-business-pages-the-merge

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