Transferring SEO services from one agency to another - troubles, concerns, etc.?

[ColeLusby]

Hey Moz Community,

I have a friend I'm asking for who has an agency and will be taking over SEO from another agency.

One thing that worries me is that the agency has confirmed dozens of locations in Google Places (about 60-100) for this business. How would you transfer Google Places ownership (assuming they cooperate)?

Could the previous agency delete these listings? If so, how would that affect Local SEO? For example, the location and phone number is already on the website. Isn't that good enough for all of these locations (about 100)?

I hope this is clear; please let me know if not. I would be interested in hearing any other feedback about moving agencies.

Thanks,

Cole

[valetseo]

You can transfer ownership in the G+ Dashboard.  I highly recommend having the current agency turn over the email address that's associated with ownership of all of the location listings.  With that, you won't actually have to transfer ownership in G+, only IRL with the actual account & password access.

Yes, the previous agency can delete the listings.  You would have to reverify all of them if they go this route.

You can also go about getting these via the bulk upload process & having the ownership of these businesses authorize Google to transfer ownership of all 100 listings to what ever email address you choose.  This isn't a quick process.  Suggestion 1 is the best route.

~Scott Davis, Senior SEO Specialist at Valet Interactive Marketing

[ColeLusby]

What if the email address is @agency.com? Then, physical email addresses can't be turned over.

Best alternative would be to transfer ownership in G+ dashboard? Would this alternative simply be by adding another manager and that new manager delete old agency manager? Or is there a place to actually change ownership? I can't seem to locate the change of ownership if it does exist.

ETA: I found it. You add someone as a manager then you wait 1 day, then add them as the owner.

Thanks,

[valetseo]

Contact Google & have them help you on the back end.

https://support.google.com/business/?hl=en#topic=4539639&contact=1

You have to wait 14 days to transfer ownership to a manager.

It'll go much faster if you just have them call you.

[ColeLusby]

I think Google updated the 14 days processing. You add a manager -> One day waiting -> Make owner.

Thanks so much for your help!!!