Sick of seeing spammy Google Business Profile listings from competitors in the local 3-pack? You’re not alone. With just three results available, it’s beyond frustrating to see them occupied by fake or inaccurate listings. But don’t worry—there’s something you can do about it! Here’s a breakdown of how local businesses can identify and combat spam listings to reclaim their rightful place in local search results.
As a small business owner, it can feel like you're running a marathon while others cheat and get ahead. You expect Google to penalize listings that violate guidelines, yet time and again, we see the opposite happen. If you find yourself in this frustrating situation, here’s a game plan.
The Three Types of Google Business Profile Spam
Type 1: Fake ListingsThis is when you stumble upon a listing for a business that either doesn’t exist at that location or isn’t a legitimate business at all. Here are some common red flags:
Mailboxes as Addresses: Listings that use a mailbox service instead of a physical address.
Virtual Offices: Addresses that are only virtual and not staffed by your team during business hours.
Home Addresses: Multiple listings using employees’ home addresses, which is a common violation among home-based businesses.
Lead-Generating Companies: Listings created by companies that sell leads to actual businesses, diluting the quality of local search results.
Type 2: Keyword StuffingKeyword stuffing involves adding excessive descriptive words to a business name in Google Business Profile that don’t reflect the real-world name. While this might sound tempting, it’s a deceptive practice that can have serious repercussions. A study from Local SEO Guide revealed that including keywords in the business name can boost rankings by 1.5 spots, but that’s hardly a fair game.
Type 3: Fake or Biased ReviewsWhen it comes to reviews, the landscape is riddled with traps. Here’s what to watch for:
Review Gating: Selectively asking for reviews only from happy customers, which is a no-no.
Employee Reviews: Reviews from employees rather than actual customers are against the guidelines.
Review Swapping: Engaging in a tit-for-tat with another business where you review each other without having genuine experiences.
Incentivized Reviews: Offering discounts or freebies for reviews is a surefire way to land in hot water with Google.
Peer-to-Peer Reviews: Reviews from industry peers instead of clients don’t reflect the true customer experience and are also against the rules.
While there are many misconceptions about what constitutes “fake reviews,” it's crucial to understand the actual guidelines to avoid being caught in the web of deception.
What Should You Do About It?
1. Fix It YourselfIf the listing is not owner-verified, consider making a public edit. This approach works best for types 1 and 2 since addressing fake reviews is trickier. Check out this guide for detailed steps on editing listings effectively.
2. Report It on the Google Business Profile ForumThe forum is the only place where you can report spam and get a response back after Google reviews the case. Just remember that it’s run by volunteers, so don’t expect immediate responses. Before posting, be sure to read the guidelines on what information you’ll need to provide.
3. Report It on Social MediaYou can reach out to Google Business Profile via direct message on Twitter or Facebook to report violations. The downside is you won’t get feedback on your report, so set a reminder to check the listings in a month.
Note: Reporting spam via phone or chat is not an option; those channels are strictly for issues related to your own business listing.
As a business owner or agency, it’s vital to incorporate spam monitoring into your regular routine. My agency does this for clients, especially in competitive industries like garage door repair or plumbing, and we’ve seen excellent results.
Conclusion
In a digital world where visibility is everything, GMB Fox ensures your business isn’t just online—it’s the first choice customers make. Let us handle the complexities of digital marketing, so you can focus on what truly matters: growing your business.
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