Fraudulent Business Profiles in the Spotlight as Google Updates Verification Requirements and Trust Signals

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Reports of a caller Google Business Profile (GBP) verification statement are presently circulating wrong the section SEO community. Select GBPs person received the caller ‘confirmed’ statement from Google to amusement that the associated concern has had its details verified recently.

Although not each GBPs person received this label, searchers tin spot that definite profiles person had their concern details verified by Google—likely done an automated telephone call.

They're similar a bid of "trust" signals you deliberation @rustybrick ? Has the authorities of the GBP ecosystem successful presumption of accuracy go truthful atrocious that Google needs to adhd these to amusement consumers they tin beryllium assured successful the sheet details? 🧐 https://t.co/yPjrzFmfIm pic.twitter.com/1Byf5ZgJyr

— Claire Carlile🕊️ 🌊 🥑 🦥 (@clairecarlile) March 3, 2022

Boosting Trust and Tackling Fraud

As Claire Carlile points retired successful her tweet above, this caller statement could beryllium invaluable arsenic a spot signal. The statement states however agelong agone the concern was contacted by Google to corroborate its details, truthful this tiny but adjuvant diagnostic volition let searchers to spot which businesses decidedly person up-to-date information. This could people power which businesses radical take to prosecute with. 

The further confirmation besides has the imaginable to exposure fraudulent accounts arsenic they whitethorn beryllium incapable to walk the further verification steps required during the call. 

How to Get Confirmed by Phone

Unfortunately, there’s presently nary mode to petition that Google contacts you to corroborate your details.

It appears that the lone mode to power this statement appearing connected your GBP is ensuring you reply the telephone telephone if you bash person one, and, of course, appropriately confirming your details during the call. However, whether the statement is past assigned to you oregon not is inactive people astatine Google’s discretion.

Updating Your Business Details

It’s not yet wide if this is simply a trial oregon a imperishable summation to GBP. However, should it go permanent, it whitethorn spot profiles with the statement elevated supra the remainder successful presumption of user trust.

This makes it each the much important that your interaction details—especially your telephone number—are ever kept up to date. Similarly, you should marque definite calls to your concern telephone fig are ever answered erstwhile possible. If you’re fortunate capable to person a confirmation telephone telephone but you miss it, there’s nary telling erstwhile you mightiness beryllium chosen again!

Double Verification for Google Business Profiles

Around the aforesaid clip arsenic rolling retired the ‘confirmed’ label, Google besides updated the verification assistance papers to authorities that further verification methods whitethorn present beryllium required.

The updated mentation of the document present reads:

Additional Verification Google My Business

Some experts person theorized that this strengthening of the verification process could beryllium an effort to combat fraudulent profiles.

Google Business Profile Verification Methods

The archetypal mode to verify GBP was to person a postcard to the registered concern address. Although this method is inactive successful use, determination are present a fig of different options available, these are:

  • Receiving a telephone call
  • Receiving a substance message
  • Receiving an email
  • Sending a video recording
  • Participating successful a unrecorded video call

The video signaling verification enactment has been disposable to a tiny fig of businesses successful the past, but is present disposable to all. 

The Impact for Local Businesses

If you’re a morganatic business, past you’ve nary crushed to beryllium acrophobic astir the imaginable for treble verification. Should this beryllium asked of you, each you request to bash is travel the instructions provided and taxable the required information.

A much stringent verification process could assistance to trim fake listings successful the Local Pack, Local Finder, and Google Maps—which is large quality for authentic businesses. 

If you’re a marketer moving with section businesses, past you’ll privation to marque your clients alert that further verification whitethorn beryllium required. Ensuring that their interaction details and different accusation is close present could assistance to debar problems with this successful the future.

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Alix Coe

Alix is the Content Marketing Manager astatine BrightLocal. They absorption connected sharing insights into the satellite of section SEO, with a peculiar involvement successful reporting connected the latest manufacture news.