Google Places - Isn't He Breaking Some Rules?

[jeffnaz]

I'm learning about Google Places but when I came across this listing I was surprised because he's breaking all the rules...or at least the ones that says you can't do this.

If you search "car warranty phoenix arizona" you'll see Google Places at the top of the page with several listings, which most of the listing go to the same site...car warranty rates dot com.

What is interesting is he has listed each location virtually and even says in his copy that it's not a real location.

I thought Google didn't like 800 telephone numbers and you had to verify your physical location. Clearly, I'm wrong because this guy has managed to list phantom locations and used the same 800 # on all his listings.

If you study his landing page and site you'll see he's repeated this process in several states. It appears that his footer is a big part of the localization and ranking with Google Places.

I'm definitely curious to hear your ideas or know-how if you can break it down or maybe you know the service he's using that produces the templates automatically for his site and he's spending his time getting listed in the maps.

 

[asiriusthoth]

You do not have to verify physical locations (or didn't when I setup about 50). I actually did nearly the identical thing as the person your talking about did.

I was able to add in (800)#s and links to websites for keywords that cost about $2.50 on Google Adwords. Across the 50 sites I get about... mmmm.. 40 clicks a month. Although results in about 20 calls a month, which is nice!

 

[jeffnaz]

As far as locations do I rent PO Boxes from USPS franchise stores so you get a real physical address (with a suite number) or do I fake the address as long as its a real address within the city.

How do you get around the phone verification or did you get your listings placed before Google incorporated it?

 

[ageofz]

Google actually doesn't want you to use P.O. boxes. There are lots of places where you can get virtual phone numbers, they can even be local to the area. What some people have done is use addresses of lots for sale that have a physical address but no one actually lives there.

 

[renta]

I warned u guys in multiple threads you will get a cease and desist letter from go&gle if you do this...

 

[ukescuba]

@renta where did you get that information about the cease and desist letter - i have been doing this forever i even did a BST about 18 months ago...

I have never once got a cease and desist how can they possibly send one to you if the address is fake???

Besides it would be much easier for them to simply turn your listing off!

It would cost them $1000's to send me cease and desist letters to each of my listings! lol

i think you are causing unnecessary concern and preventing some users from making some quick $$$ with your claims...

fyi 800 numbers do work - i prefer not to use them but they do work... just dont try using the same number for a ton of listings... that goes for local numbers too...

 

[Book Writer]

I read an interesting bit of information recently that stated that 1-800 numbers had a lower response rate than a local number. Can anyone here verify or dispel from your own experience?

 

[Jacquita]

I do the same thing. I get a UPS store address and then get a local phone number through Google Voice and forward that to the client.

 

[TheStewie]

I warned u guys in multiple threads you will get a cease and desist letter from go&gle if you do this...

Seems a bit hard to imagine. As long as one is not causing trouble on adwords/adsense or other money making products, google seems to be more or less problem free.