Google Places, Google+ Local, or both?

[LunaGraphica]

I understand that Google is in the process of merging Google Places into Google+ Local, but the current state is very confusing.  There are still two separate signup pages, and neither even MENTIONS the other.

If someone is establishing a business web presence today, what should we set up?

[TomRayner]

Definitely Google+ Local. As places is being phased out you can bet your last dollar that G+ Local will be getting priority and preferential treatment, both in terms of updates and integration to the local listings in the SERPs.

[LindaBuquet]

Actually they are one in the same, just different names and there are several different products and updates, so G makes it really confusing.

The business owner side is still branded Places. In fact all the NEW branding for business owners to sign up and the brand new dashboard that is still rolling out is all called "Places for Business".

It's the consumer facing page, where a customer would leave a review that was rebranded as Google+ Local.

Then there is the Local Google+ page which is a totally different animal and it does not show up in search unless merged with the Place page/AKA G+ Local page - once it's merged there is no name for that one. I did a long post explaining all this with a funny "WTF do you call these pages again?" image. So convoluted!

Google is sort of redoing branding or should I say doing away with all the past branding though for local and it appears she's heading toward one page name. Everything will just be called a Google+ page. Then it's just a matter of whether you verify or merge to add the social features. But then again she's getting rid of most of the links so consumers can't even get to the G+ L whatever you call it page now anyway, so...