"Hot Desk" type office space to establish addresses in multiple locations

[McTaggart]

Hello Mozzers,

I'm noticing increasing numbers of clients' competitors getting physical addresses and phone numbers in multiple locations, no doubt partly for SEO purposes. These are little more than ghost presences (in hot desk style office space) and the phone numbers are simply diverted.

Do such physical addresses put them at an SEO advantage (over and above those who don't have hot desk style space and location phone numbers). Or does Google weed out hot desk type office spaces where they can?

Your thoughts/experience would be very welcome!

Thanks in advance, Luke

[MibuKotaro]

The advantage is solely for the local SEO benefits. Google would probably like to weed them out but as Satellite offices are actually used by businesses regularity it can be difficult. However I do not see it being much of a benefit unless you are a service area business like plumbing or general contractors.

[MiriamEllis]

Hey Luke!

Good topic - here's the scoop:

1. Yes, if the owner gets away with it, this tactic could help them rank in additional geographies, BUT ...

2. It puts them at risk for Google take down of the listings in question, and could potentially influence Google's view of the whole business. Suggest you read:

http://www.localsearchforum.com/google-local-important/26844-busted-warning-attorneys-regus-non-compliant-offices.html

http://blumenthals.com/blog/2014/12/11/google-some-days-i-just-shake-my-head-today-is-one-of-them/

If you believe some of your competitors are falsely claiming to have staffed, physical offices, you may report them as spam.

Hope this helps!

[donford]

Thanks for the reply Miriam. I was interested to see where this topic went.

Nice links!

[MiriamEllis]

Hey Don,
Thank you. Yes, this has become a pretty hot topic again since Google's revision of their guidelines.

[McTaggart]

Thanks Miriam - that's incredibly useful - much appreciated

[MiriamEllis]

You're very welcome, Luke!