Links for Help & Support Forms

Quick access to your listings

• Google My Business-

  Formerly known as Google Places.  This is the listing independent of Google Plus, and feeds the Knowledge Graph.

• Bing Places for business
• Apple maps connect-

  Self-serve portal is for US businesses only at the moment.

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Google My Business Verification Issues

First because it is one of the most common problems with Google My Business listings.

• GMB - Request Listing Verification Card again-

  Google My Business - Requested to verify your listing, but postcard didn't arrive or pin won't work?  Use this link to request another.

  AND - be sure not to make any edits to the listing between when you request the postcard and until after you've entered the pin and verified the listing.

• GMB - Requested the Verification Card *at least twice* already-

  If you've requested the verification card at least twice, and you're tired of asking (understandably) use this form.
  You will be asked to provide three things:
  1) The business's location as seen from the street, including nearby buildings
  2) The name of the business and its entrance
  3) The inside of the business, as a customer sees when entering

  Depending on what has been sent for those three things, you may be requested to provide even more evidence of the business.

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Online Reviews

• Create a "write review" link that works on all devices-

  This takes a few steps, but this is the simplest I've found so far.  The other tools I've tried have struggled at times to get the info out of Google, especially for Service Area Businesses (SABs).

  First, in an electronic notepad or document, copy the following text
  http://search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid=
  Using Google's PlaceID finder (the link above create a review link...), copy and paste the PlaceID at the end (hover over the long series of numbers and letters, then double-click, copy and paste). That's your new link.
  note: If you paste that into a browser it makes a long complicated-looking link, that sometimes doesn't work well with mobiles. Don't use that new one Google "translated" into the long one. Instead, use the shorter one you've just created.

  If you find it doesn't work, send me a message and I'll investigate. Google's always changing things...

• Moving? Bring your reviews with you!-

  Reviews are stored relative to street addresses, not business listings. So if your business moves locations, you can accidentally leave your reviews behind!  Take them with you by asking Google to move them to your new location.

• Online Reviews - a Guide for Business-

  Essential reading to keep you out of trouble with the ACCC. In short, it’s don’t post fake reviews – it’s fraud.

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Tools

and ways to make your life (or your listing) easier for yourself and customers

• Analytics Reports in Plain English-

  Promoted for agencies, this can also be useful for businesses that don't have the resources to learn all of Google's jargon.
  Free plan available.

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Understanding the lay of the land

Following the guidelines laid out by Google, the ACCC and others will help your business, website and listing get the best results.

• Info sessions recorded by Google-

  Recorded video sessions for Google My Business, Google Adword and Google Partners.

• Moved your business?-

  If you're having trouble moving your business, this form can get you in contact with support.  Scroll to the bottom and you may see options for callback, online chat, or email form.

• Shape the Future of Google Support-

  Getting feedback from users helps Google understand how to shape support, services and products to better suit your needs and your vision.

  You don't have to be super techy - just have an interest in making things easier & better for yourself when you go online.

  Sign up now for invitations to participate in future studies.

   

• Deleted your GMB Listing?-
  • If you've deleted your listing less than 2 weeks ago, go here to bring it back from the dead. The listing may need reverification.
  • This link is also where you manage notifications about brand messages. For example:  invited to manage a brand account, changes to your role, if you become primary or are no longer able to manage the account.
  • It's also where you can go if you have any pending notifications
• Google My Business Feedback Program-

  Put your hand up and let Google know you'd like to help Google make Google My Business better

• How to build Location Pages-

  Guidelines for how Google wants to see pages on your website for locations

• Google's own SEO Guide-

  A great reference to understand the thinking behind what SEO is all about in

• Google My Business Quality Guidelines-

  Essential reading for anyone wanting to maintain their own Local Page

• Online Reviews - a Guide for Business-

  Essential reading to keep you out of trouble with the ACCC. In short, it’s don’t post fake reviews – it’s fraud.

• Key Elements of the Spam Act-

  Keep your customers happy and stay legal.  Understand what SPAM really is and how easy it is to comply.

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Real people to help if you get stuck

• Google My Business Support Contact-

  Form requesting call back or email back from GMB Support, particularly for verification.

• Having trouble editing your listing?-

  If you're having trouble editing your GMB listing, this form can get you in contact with the right support team.

• Request a GMB Support Call back-

  Good to get in contact with a real human if you're having obscure problems (such as ownership verification requests falling into a black hole), or other weird things. This link goes to a form that triggers a call back from a Google Support rep.

• Listing Suspended? Request it be reinstated-

  You'll get asked a series of yes/no questions, then finally be able to add your details.

• Support Chat-

  Includes a quick information form to complete before connecting you through to live chat.

• GMB Organisation Issues
• Google My Business (@googlemybiz) on Twitter
• Google My Business Support on Facebook
• Bing Places-

  Live chat for Bing Places including verification

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Reporting Problems

If you spot something on the web that’s not quite right, Google give you a number of ways to bring it to their attention. Results can be mixed – even so, report what you can to make the web a safer and cleaner place to be.

• Report a policy violation-

  Provide the information about the comment that you believe is in violation of our Terms of Service.
  Note - only 4 options, and no free-form field to explain, so you'll only be successful with hugely & blatant violations.

  • hateful, violent, or inappropriate content
  • advertising or spam
  • off-topic
  • conflicts of interest
• Report Incorrect Business at a Glance Summary-

  Use to correct the brief summary of a business, or a review snippet that incorrectly reflects the intention of the review writer.

  DO NOT use this form if you wish a review removed.

• Reporting robocalls allegedly from Google-

  The link above is the explanation page, written largely for the US.  The advice is sound, but some of the resource links aren't for Australia.  For example, the do not call registry is here: https://www.donotcall.gov.au/

  If you already know the ins and outs and are still getting pestered by a robocall, go straight to this form to file a report: https://support.google.com/business/contact/rbc_form  If you can take some time with one of those nuisance calls and get some details, that'll help Google track down the offending organisation.

• Report inappropriate GMB business listings-

  See a Google My Business listing that isn't right? This page gives a one-stop-shop for most issues you'd want to report.

  • Inappropriate image
  • Incorrect information
  • Spam
  • Dangerous activities, hate speech, harassment, or illegal activities
  • Personal or confidential information
  • Sexually explicit material
  • Copyright or legal violation
• GMB third party policy: Report a violation-

  Finally! Released in May 2018, this link is a way for you to officially report 3rd parties who are not playing by the rules with your GMB listings. If your listing has been

  • hijacked,
  • held for ransom, or
  • under someone else's control, or
  • repeatedly calling as Google or making robocalls

  this will give you some way to let Google know who the offender is.

  Google are currently taking legal action against some of the worst offenders in the US.

• Phishing-

  Example: A page or site that's disguising itself for the purpose of stealing credit card or other personal information

• Report incorrect Business Summary Info
• Copyright Infrigement (DMCA)-

  Includes options for uploading copyright documentation

• Remove Content from Google, many products-

  Report content that you would like removed from any of Google's services under applicable laws.

  This can be used for online reviews, but is very limited in scope.  The key phrase is "under applicable laws".

  For copyright issues, read the Digital Millennium Copyright info first

• Webspam-

  Example: Think you're going to one site, only to find yourself on another? Or you discover the page has hidden text, or pretends to be one thing to the search engine and another to you as a viewer?  It's about the intent of the page - is it intended to deceive either you or the search engines? Report it!
  (note: need to be logged in with a Google account)

• Infected Site-

  Encountered a site infected with malicious software

• Rich Snippets Spam-

  Example: A page or displaying fake review counts or review summaries.

• Removing info from Google-

  Example:  Personal info not publicly available, offensive images.  Read removal policy first.

• Paid Links-

  Google does not condone "buying links" or attempting to manipulate rankings with links.  If you know of a site that buys or sells links, identify them.