Google+ Local and Google Places?

[Level2Designs]

Hey Everyone,

I've been out of the game for a few months, and I am amazed at how much I've missed! I'm trying to wrap my head around the difference between Google+, Google+ Local, and Google Places - can anyone help?

My client has a Google+ account and manages multiple businesses under Google Places. I can't seem to get google to connect the two though (the account login is the same). I know Google is still working on migrating Google Places to Google+ Local, so here's my question:

How do I obtain ownership of my Google Places listings in Google+ Local? I already have ownership of the Google Places listings, but when I log into the Google+ account there is no proof of ownership. I can add the related Google+ Local locations to my "Pages" in Google+, but it lists me as a manager and not an owner.

My client has been penalized by Google in the past (not my doing, but unfortunately something I now have to deal with), so I want to tread lightly as I optimize his local listings. Any assistance to help me figure this out is greatly appreciated! Also, if anyone knows of a good book on Google+ Local for business owners I would love the referral!

Thanks!

[KaneJamison]

So in short, your Places listings will update data for your G+ Local listings. This will be different from your G+ Business page (unless you've gone through the merge process), and could be under an entirely different account.

Some good coverage from Blumenthals.com: http://blumenthals.com/blog/category/google-plus/

These three posts discuss the differences between the G+ Business Pages vs. G+ Local Pages, and issues going on with the merge process.

1. Aug 3rd - Google+ Business and Local Merge Process is NOW LIVE
2. Aug 10th - Google+ Business Pages: To Merge Or Not to Merge, That is the Question
3. Sep 19th - Google+ Pages For Local – Known Bugs & Quirks After the G+ Local Merge

I'm hoping someone can chime in with any newer information than this. I haven't been involved in this process over the past month so I'm wondering if the situation has gotten better.

[Level2Designs]

Thank you for these resources, they've helped a lot in trying to figure out the Google+ vs Local issue. Unfortunately, it looks like my client is best suited to wait it out - He tends to be an action-first type of person, so it looks like I have some convincing ahead of me

I think one of the comments on the blog post was dead on when they said "You know someone said the abilty to make complicated things simple is genius. Well.. Google is no genius!" Hopefully this is just a temporary confusion that will work itself out for business owners as Google continues to perfect the merge...