Google Places vs Google+ Local

Hello everyone,

First time poster, long time leecher. I have a hopefully easy to answer question about Google Local. I have created a local listing through Google Places, and through Google+ Local Dashboard; I've noticed a substantial difference of how fast the changes update on maps (G+ Dashboard is much faster).

Is there a benefit to creating through Google Places Dashboard (legacy) instead of the new Google+ Local Dashboard. I've noticed it limits what keywords you can choose as well as forcing you to make the address show..

If I wasn't clear (I'd be surprised if I was), let me know I'll try to clarify the request.

I also promise to post more and not leech. =)

Thanks everyone!

I have the same questions.

Seems like google places listing and google plus + is 2 different listing and they require 2 separate post card confirmations.

Currently we have google places listing, it shows on google, have google plus listing, but the images not showing... Seems like i need to create and varify google plus listing too?

Bump!

yeah i would be interested to know this. I have seen changes to places take awhile and assumed that both should be integrated so no need to do both but know i dont know...

thanks

This is an interesting find, I am seeing drops in ranks on Google places since the change with G+ and like you are stating there seems to be a difference between the two profiles and rankings are being affected also

What is the difference between the two though? Like I guess I dont get the difference. Why do we need both.

I troll the Google Product Forums regularly, and after all of that, this is what I think.

GP gives a LOT more juice to Local Search Results. However they keep saying it is going to be phased out. I don't believe it. They say G+ is inevitable, and I don't believe that either. If you have both GP and G+, there have been some documented cases where they are involuntarily merged by Google. G+ is in beta and I would avoid it as long as possible, and focus on GP instead.

BTW, this is a White Hat question and should be in that sub-forum. All Local SEO should be considered white hat.

Any advantage in varifying the google + listing as well?(seems like they will send 2nd post card)
Also what i've mentioned is that categories are a bit different for google places and google +.
For example for my niche there is exact category in google places, but in google + it's didn't exist - there is smng similar. Example [carpet cleaning service] vs [carpet store].

Any more feedback on the issue from BHW local seo guys?

DangerousDEN said:

Any advantage in varifying the google + listing as well?(seems like they will send 2nd post card)
Also what i've mentioned is that categories are a bit different for google places and google +.
For example for my niche there is exact category in google places, but in google + it's didn't exist - there is smng similar. Example [carpet cleaning service] vs [carpet store].

Any more feedback on the issue from BHW local seo guys?

Click to expand...

FYI: "feedback" is amplified noise.

IMO, there may be some benefit to having both GP & G+ verified, however one should be VERY careful as it's possible to inadvertently volunteer to have them "merged" which basically means that GP disappears and now you've got G+. People lose reviews, and I think juice as well. And there's no going back.

If you can pull it off, whatever benefit there may be must be balanced against the risk of being 1st in line when Google decides to involuntarily "merge" your GP & G+ listings as part of the beta testing program of doing it to everyone, which they keep threatening to do.

To the 2nd part, this is another, and pretty good reason to not let them merge and avoid G+ if that's what it takes. The more categories, and the closer they match your primary kw, the better off you are.

There are other factors. Last week I advised an attorney to keep his business as GP, and give all his attorneys G+ as "people" and part of the business, and send all that NAP and backlink juice to the GP listing.

I have clients who have Merged listings I can rank the new system and the old system with no problems they both have advantages and disadvantages I would hold off as long as possible from merging though unless you are a solid brick and mortar business then it could help your rankings