Access to a Clients Google Places Account

[Czubmeister]

I would like to manage my clients Google places account so I can add pictures, fill out the profile etc. If he already has a Google places account how do I get access?

I feel a little gun-shy about asking for his personal email and password to gain access.

[manchestermichael]

Hi Bob, I suspect many of use have been in the same position with SME customers.

As far as I know, there's still no way round using your client's login. SEOs have been complaining about this for along time, and asking for Agency access permissions, with absolutely no success.

I explain to clients that I need access, and that they should change their password afterwards. Always goes down well

[itrogers]

The best way will be to ask for the login to the places account. You can however, claim the profile under your account as well.

Login to Places. From your dashboard, click "Add Another Business" in the top right corner. It will bring you to a page where you can enter the business phone number. Direct link here: http://www.google.com/local/add/g?hl=en-US&gl=US#phonelookup

If the Places page is already claimed, then the business should show up. Select the business you want, fill out the information, and then PIN verify the business. Once verified, it will show up in your Places account.

[polarking]

Can you have them switch the email in which the account is attached? Example would be have them create a email for you like marketing@example.com?

[Czubmeister]

It's funny you mention that. I have my clients setup mark@example.com. I use mark to be short for marketing so it's not so obvious!

[Czubmeister]

I totally forgot about the dashboard. Sometimes on the fence about claiming something that is not mine. The process of transferring back to the owner is sometimes not so obvious. Thanks for the info

[itrogers]

Right- I can see that. You can always remove it from your places account tho. The other profile will still have access to it, however. So make sure that they know any changes they make will overwrite anything you do.

[MiriamEllis]

Hi Bob,

If you're working as a Local SEO for your clients, I think it's essential to develop a relationship of trust in which the client is willing to give you access to his account (just as he would give access to his hosting to his design team). To make you more comfortable, you can always tell the client to change his password after you've completed your work. I would not recommend trying to claim his account into your own. The client should maintain authority over his own account at all times, and should understand that if he wants to bring on an pro to work with him, the pro needs access.

I have been working in Local for the past 6 or so years and have never had a client express concerns about this. Just let them know they can alter their password at the close of work and they should be fine.

[MichaelC-15022]

I agree with Mr. Wignall's and Ms. Ellis' responses--tell them to change the password temporarily for you, then change it back afterwards. I always tell clients that it's partly for MY protection, i.e. if they have someone else at their company who knows their login (or their login is hacked), I want a 0% chance that they think I might be the problem.

Also, you do NOT want to claim it under your own account:

1. you would be artificially giving Google information that that account and other clients of yours might be co-owned, or co-managed (so, are any links between them really editorial?), and more importantly
2. Google local search has more confidence in the listing being claimed by the real owner if the domain name of the email address claiming it = the domain name of the website (see this thread as well)