Duplicate identical Google Places listing in the same account

[crackingmedia]

Hi everyone

Trying to sort out a problem for a client who has one Google Places account for their business, but in the account there are two identical listings for the one business. Of course I could delete one of them, but I am concerned that in doing that - because they appear to be drawing data from the same source - I will also delete the data for the other listing.

Has anyone seen this issue before? Any help with this would be much appreciated.

Peter

[DarinPirkey]

Google's guidelines state

1. Choose the listing that you'd prefer to keep in your account.
   1. Make sure that you have all your enhanced content (photos, business hours, description) attached to this listing.
   2. Make sure that its status is "active".

and that all the rest should be deleted.

This happened to an AC repair company client but it took almost 5 weeks for the listing to disappear and once it did we shot up in the 7 pack.

https://support.google.com/places/answer/183009?hl=en

[MiriamEllis]

Hi Peter,

I would suggest an alternative procedure than the one referenced in the Google document vzPRO has recommended. That document may actually be describing an outdated process. Rather, I would suggest that you go to the troubleshooter here:

https://support.google.com/places/

Click the red 'Contact Us' button.

Choose the option 'My listing has incorrect information'

Choose the duplicate listing option

Then fill out the fields that cover the correct Google+ Local URL, the duplicate one, etc.

My concern is that if you simply try to delete the listing out of your account, you may no longer see it in the dashboard but it may still exist. You need to attempt to make direct contact with Google via the troubleshooter to ensure the situation is actually being remedied. Hope this helps.

[DarinPirkey]

Thanks for this Miriam.  I originally had done what you recommended.  But the reply I got back from Google said that is for when a duplicate listing exists in DIFFERENT places accounts or for a listing I do not control.   They said that when it is in the same places account, that I should delete the duplicate one.

But it wouldn't hurt to try what you are saying first.  My issue happened at the end of 2012 beginning of 2013 so you may be right that my way is a little outdated.

Thanks again.

[MiriamEllis]

Hi vzPRO,

Thanks for the follow-up. It may well be that a Google rep will recommend precisely the same thing they recommended to you, but just in case not, I think it's better to go through the contact form. Really appreciate you sharing that you had success with the process, and sharing the dates, too.

[DarinPirkey]

I agree with you.  The contact form is the right first option and then let them guide you through the process.  Thanks!!

[crackingmedia]

Thanks both. I'm not able to check this now, but will do when I get back to the office and can access the account on a computer rather than on a tablet!

Much appreciated.

Peter

[crackingmedia]

Thank you very much Miriam. Very helpful.

I've now got on and followed those steps you advised and am waiting for Google to fix the issue. To update this thread this is the email I received from Google as their initial response:

_Thank you for contacting Google. __We may follow up if we need further information. Also, feel free to respond to this email to clarify anything or give us additional information. _Otherwise, we appreciate your patience while our team reviews and responds to inquiries in the order they are received. _Once we're finished investigating, someone from our team will get back to you with actions we've taken and instructions for next steps. __Regards, _The Google Places Team

I will update further when I have heard back.

Thanks again,
Peter

[MiriamEllis]

Hi Peter,

Good job! Sometimes Google will send a second response quickly. However, if you haven't heard from them in a month and the issue remains, I would try the troubleshooter again and post a thread in the Google And Your Business Help Forum describing what you've done. Sometimes Google can be really slow at responding. Here's to hoping you luck out and get fast resolution! And I would definitely appreciate it if you'd update this thread as you make progress. It will be a good learning experience for the community.