(800) 689-1273
Facebook Twitter Youtube Linkedin
Prospect Genius logo

Prospect Genius

Menu
Log In
You are here: Home / Search for "customer reviews"

Search Results for: customer reviews

Now Only Two Tries to Appeal a Google Business Profile Suspension

Last Updated: June 17, 2024

If you rely on Google Business Profile (GBP) for your online presence (who doesn’t?), there’s a crucial update you need to know about. Google has rolled out new rules that limit your appeals for a suspended GBP to just two attempts. Let’s dive into what these changes mean for you and how to navigate this new landscape effectively.

Key Changes and Timeline

When Did These Rules Go Into Effect?

The new rules were implemented recently, bringing significant changes to how GBP suspensions are handled. As of November 2023, Google allows only two tries to appeal a suspended profile. After these two attempts, if your profile isn’t reinstated, it will be permanently suspended.

The Two-Try Rule: What It Means

Google’s new policy means you have two chances to get your suspended GBP reinstated. If both appeals fail, your profile is gone for good. This makes it more important than ever to get it right the first time.

Consequences of Failing Twice

Failing to reinstate your profile after two appeals can have severe repercussions:

  • Loss of Reviews: You’ll lose all your accumulated reviews and ratings.
  • Loss of Visibility: Your business won’t appear in Google search results or on Google Maps, making it harder for customers to find you.
  • Revenue Impact: Reduced visibility can lead to a significant drop in customer inquiries and revenue.

Reach Out to Us Before Starting the Reinstatement Process

At Prospect Genius, we understand how critical your Google Business Profile is to your business. That’s why we strongly urge you to contact us before beginning the reinstatement process. Here’s how we can help:

  • Guidance on Google’s Guidelines: We’ll help you understand what’s required to comply with Google’s policies.
  • Preparing Your Appeal: We’ll assist you in gathering the necessary documents and crafting a compelling appeal.
  • Avoiding Mistakes: With only two chances, it’s crucial to avoid common pitfalls. Our experts will ensure you have the best possible chance of success​.

You can either give us a call, or get started by signing up online, whenever is convenient for you.

What If I’ve Already Used My Two Chances?

It’s time to pack it in and retire. No, no no…Just kidding! It means you’re looking at having to create a new GBP from scratch. This is something we can help you with as well. The last thing you want to do is start over but repeat the mistakes that got you here. That makes this the perfect time to reach out to a pro for some help. You can even get started with us online.

The Bottom Line

Your Google Business Profile is too important to lose. With these new rules in place, the stakes are higher than ever. Don’t risk your online presence by going it alone. Reach out to Prospect Genius today, and let’s work together to ensure your business stays visible and thriving on Google.

Online Sign-Up – Google Business Profile Optimization

Last Updated: July 29, 2025

The process of creating and optimizing Google Business Profile (GBP, formerly known as Google My Business) is tricky, thanks to Google’s strict and cryptic guidelines. If you violate those guidelines, you’ll end up with a suspended GBP and that’s a whole other mess to deal with. Your GBP is a critical ranking factor so it’s very important to get this right! It’s very easy to make a mistake that lands you in the sin bin so it’s worth letting an expert handle this for you.

Google Business Profile Optimization provides:

  • Creating a brand new GBP, if one doesn’t already exist
  • Fully and correctly filling out a GBP, ensuring compliance with Google’s guidelines
  • Piece of mind knowing the right steps are being taken to avoid a suspension and/or the loss of your hard-earned reviews

For just $249, you can rest assured that your GBP will be well-optimized and ready to send new customers your way!

 

Sign up for Google Business Profile Optimization today!

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Your Contact Info (for internal use only)

Account Texts

SEO Myth-Busting: The Truth About Using “Near Me” as a Keyword

Last Updated: May 29, 2024

Welcome to another edition of our SEO Myth-Busting series! Today, we’re tackling a common misconception that still manages to confuse people: the idea that optimizing for the words “near me” as if they were actual keywords will boost your local SEO. Let’s delve into why this simplistic approach is outdated and what you should be focusing on instead.

The Myth of “Near Me” Keywords

At first glance, it might seem logical to optimize your website content with “near me” keywords. After all, many people use phrases like “restaurants near me” or “gas stations near me” when they search. However, this is a misunderstanding and oversimplification of how local search algorithms work. Using “near me” as a keyword in your content, business name, or URL is not beneficial.

How Google Handles “Near Me” Searches

When someone types “near me” into Google, the search engine uses various data points to determine the user’s location and provide the most relevant results. This includes:

  • IP Geolocation: Identifying the user’s location based on their IP address.
  • GPS Data: For mobile devices, Google can access precise GPS data.
  • Account Information: If the user is logged into a Google account, location data from their profile can be used.
  • Cell Tower Data: For mobile users not on Wi-Fi, approximate location can be inferred from cell towers.

Google automatically incorporates these location signals to return the best local results, effectively treating “near me” as a variable. This means the search engine dynamically inserts the user’s location into the query to find the nearest relevant businesses. Therefore, there’s no need to include “near me” in your site’s content; Google handles this on its own​.

What You Should Do Instead

Rather than stuffing your content with “near me” keywords, focus on more effective local SEO strategies:

  1. Google My Business (GMB) Optimization:
    • Ensure your GMB profile is complete and accurate, including your business name, address, phone number (NAP), hours of operation, and categories.
    • Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on your GMB listing.
  2. Local Keywords:
    • Use specific local keywords that include your city or neighborhood. For example, “best plumber in Kalamazoo” instead of “plumber near me.”
    • Include landmarks and neighborhood names in your content to provide more context for Google.
  3. Consistent NAP Information:
    • Make sure your NAP information is consistent across all online directories and your website.
  4. Mobile-Friendly Website:
    • Since most “near me” searches are done on mobile devices, ensure your site is mobile-friendly and loads quickly.
  5. Structured Data Markup:
    • Implement schema markup to provide search engines with detailed information about your business, improving your chances of appearing in rich snippets and local search results​​.

Myth Busted!

The belief that using “near me” as a keyword will enhance your SEO is a myth. Google’s algorithms are sophisticated enough to handle local searches without needing such direct prompts in your content. Instead, focus on optimizing your Google My Business profile, using specific local keywords, and ensuring your website is mobile-friendly and contains accurate information. These steps will help you rank better in local searches and attract more customers.

Stay tuned for more SEO myth-busting insights in our ongoing series!

Google’s Popular Local Justifications Can Be Influenced!

Last Updated: May 6, 2024

Have you seen Google’s “Local Justifications” that they include in many of their local search results? These justifications are a powerful way to make your business stand out in crowded search results, and users find them incredibly helpful. Importantly, you can influence these justifications to your advantage!

TLDR: By guiding your customers to include certain key words in their reviews, you can influence what shows up in these justifications.

When you ask your customers for reviews, simply mention that it really helps if they would mention ______ in it. For example, if a number of your reviews mention “quick turnaround” then you’ll likely start to see that in the Justifications section.

What are Local Justifications?

Sample of Google's Justifications, aka People Like text in a local search result
Credit: https://twitter.com/b4k_khushal/status/1762739411555651786/photo/1

Local justifications are additional snippets of text that Google may display on business listings in the local packs, local finders, and Google Maps. These snippets are designed to highlight how a feature of your business matches the search intent of a potential customer. For example, if someone searches for “accent chairs in Corte Madera,” they might see a justification stating that these are available at your store, which immediately informs them that your business meets their needs.

Why They Matter

The presence of justifications in Google’s local search results is significant, with research showing that over half of the local SERPs now include them, enhancing visibility and potentially boosting click-through rates. This visibility plays a crucial role because even when a business has good local rankings, it’s the unique elements like justifications that can make it the top choice for searchers.

How to Influence Local Justifications

Influencing what shows up in these justifications can be done through various types of content you manage:

  1. Reviews: Guide your customers to include specific keywords in their Google My Business reviews. Just as YouTubers encourage viewers to “smash that like button,” prompting customers to mention certain aspects of your service or product can lead to those phrases being highlighted in your local justifications.
  2. Website Content: The content on your website, especially the page linked from your Google My Business listing, should be optimized for the keywords you want to be justified. Even if the specific service isn’t mentioned prominently on the landing page, subtle mentions or listings in a dropdown menu can be picked up by Google.
  3. Posts and Services: Regular updates through Google Posts and a detailed listing of services can also trigger justifications. These could range from special offerings like “custom-created engagement rings” to more standard services, which then get highlighted directly in the search results.
  4. In Stock and Menu Options: For businesses that sell products, ensuring that your inventory is listed through Google’s “See What’s In Store” program and that your menus are updated both on your website and Google My Business can result in “in stock” or “menu” justifications, which inform customers about the availability of certain items directly through search results.

Google has started testing a new design and feature for its local justifications section, adding a “people like” section that highlights popular preferences and is shaded in blue, making it stand out even more under local pack snippet results. This indicates that Google continues to evolve how justifications are displayed, making them even more prominent and influential.

By understanding and influencing the types of local justifications that appear with your business listings, you can significantly enhance how your business is perceived online. It’s about making sure your business is the one that stands out in a dense field of options, precisely matching the intent of the searchers and drawing them in.

Unlocking Your Google Business Profile’s Secrets: The Power of Knowing Your CID

Last Updated: March 26, 2024

In the digital age, where your online presence is as crucial as your physical storefront, managing your Google Business Profile (GBP) has become an indispensable part of your marketing strategy. But there’s a small, often overlooked detail in the vast sea of digital identifiers that could hold the key to a smoother, more efficient management of your GBP: the Customer Identification Number, or CID.

Illustration that represents, in an abstract manner, the complexities of maintaining a Google Business Profile

What is a CID (in relation to Google Business Profile)?

The CID is akin to a digital fingerprint for your business on Google Maps. This unique identifier is not just a string of numbers; it’s a vital tool for troubleshooting and enhancing your business’s visibility on Google. Despite its significance, many business owners remain unaware of their own CID, mainly because Google does not readily disclose this information. Understanding and accessing your CID can empower you to swiftly resolve issues, such as missing reviews, by providing Google Support with a direct way to pinpoint your listing.

The Power of MapTrax

Imagine being able to proactively manage your Google Business Profile, safeguarding it against suspensions, unnoticed changes, and the myriad challenges that can emerge in the digital realm. That’s where Prospect Genius’s innovative solution, MapTrax, comes into play. MapTrax isn’t just about monitoring; it’s about giving you control and insight into your GBP like never before.

By logging your CID and keeping a vigilant eye on every aspect of your profile, MapTrax acts as your digital sentinel. Whether it’s changes to your business name, URL, phone number, or address, or even the threat of suspension, MapTrax alerts you at the first sign of trouble. This not only prevents potential penalties from Google but also ensures that your online advertising campaigns continue to drive momentum, unhampered by avoidable setbacks.

MapTrax embodies the adage, “forewarned is forearmed.” In a landscape where digital presence can make or break a business, having a tool that provides such comprehensive oversight is invaluable. It’s like having insurance for your online identity, one that saves you time, money, and the headache of navigating Google’s complexities on your own.

In conclusion, understanding your Google Business Profile’s CID and the broader dynamics of your online presence is no longer just an option—it’s a necessity for thriving in today’s market. With MapTrax, Prospect Genius offers you a solution that not only demystifies your CID but also provides a robust framework for managing your GBP efficiently and effectively. Take control of your digital footprint and ensure your business’s prosperity with MapTrax.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Join our mailing list and receive regular updates on how to effectively market your small business, along with exclusive service promotions.
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.