Duplicate Google listings can confuse customers, dilute reviews, and hurt your SEO. Fixing them is key to maintaining trust and visibility. Here’s how to handle duplicates effectively:
Quick Fix Steps:
Duplicate listings can harm your local SEO efforts, so identifying and addressing them is crucial. With 73% of Google search results featuring local elements, removing duplicates helps improve your visibility and reduces customer confusion.
Start by reviewing your Google Business Profile dashboard. Look for:
Research shows that 52% of consumers have left negative reviews after encountering incorrect or misleading information on local business listings.
Expand your search to Google Maps to catch duplicates not visible in your dashboard. Use variations of your business details to locate them:
If you find duplicates, report them to Google using the "Suggest an edit" option.
For a more thorough approach, consider using business listing tools to identify duplicates and ensure your information stays consistent across platforms.
| Tool | Features | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Moz Local | Detects duplicates, syncs listings, manages reviews | $20/month (Lite plan) |
| BrightLocal | Offers local SEO audits, rank tracking, and listing tools | Custom pricing |
"Moz Local helps us streamline our process by automatically syncing business information and pushing it out to those directories, which is a huge relief for someone like me who manages multiple clients." - Blake Denman, President & Founder at RicketyRoo Inc
With 60% of consumers expecting businesses to respond to reviews within 2 days, keeping your listings accurate and up-to-date is more important than ever.
Once you've identified duplicate listings, here’s how you can resolve them effectively:
Start by claiming any unverified listings:
If both listings are already verified, you’ll need to deactivate verification on one of them before proceeding with a merge.
How you handle duplicates depends on whether they include important customer reviews.
To Merge Listings:
To Remove Listings: Log in to your Business Profile Manager, select the duplicate listing, go to "Actions" > "Remove business", and confirm the removal.
If you can’t access a duplicate listing:
"If two Business Profiles were merged but are actually distinct and eligible businesses, you can contact support to appeal the duplicate status"
Keep a record of all requests and communications with Google support. Note that their verification process can take several business days to complete.
Once you've addressed existing duplicates, the next step is to ensure they don't pop up again. The key? Standardize your business information.
Your NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) details should match perfectly across every platform. Here's how to keep things uniform:
"It's clear from this data that having incorrect information about your business visible in your local citations could be having a serious impact on your potential audience's likelihood to visit or call you." - Rosie Murphy, BrightLocal's Content and Research Manager
Make updates in one central record, apply changes across all platforms, and double-check formatting for accuracy.
Set aside time each month to review your Google Business Profile and other listings. Here's a simple routine:
Monthly checklist:
Your team plays a big role in keeping listings accurate. Train them with clear guidelines, such as:
Improving your Google Business Profile can give your local SEO a real boost. By managing your listing properly and keeping it optimized, you can strengthen your online presence and increase visibility in your area.
Keeping your profile updated ensures your customers always have the most accurate information. Use these Google features to make updates:
Accurate hours are key to attracting customers and keeping them informed. Once your details are up to date, focus on interacting with customer feedback and posting regularly.
Engaging with reviews and posting updates can make your business stand out as a reliable source. In 2023, Google reviews made up 79% of all online reviews.
Tips for managing reviews:
For Google Posts:
Take advantage of Google's advanced tools to enhance your profile. These features can make a noticeable difference in how customers interact with your business:
| Feature | Purpose | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Rich Media | Showcase photos and videos | Up to 42% more direction requests |
| Q&A Section | Address common questions | Better visibility in local searches |
| Booking Links | Allow direct appointment scheduling | Higher conversion rates |
| Products/Services | Accurately list your offerings | Improves search result matches |
| Attributes | Highlight special features of your business | Boosts targeted search rankings |
To make the most of these features:
Managing duplicate Google Business listings takes a clear, consistent approach to safeguard your online presence.
| Action | Frequency | Action Points |
|---|---|---|
| Identify Duplicates | Monthly | Search Google Maps and look for variations of your business name |
| Profile Management | Weekly | Keep an eye on changes and ensure NAP (Name, Address, Phone) consistency |
| Listing Cleanup | As needed | Claim, merge, or remove duplicate listings |
| Prevention | Ongoing | Ensure your business information stays consistent across platforms |
"By providing updated and correct information on a listing, you make it easier for people to make an informed decision from a source they know is authentic, which goes a long way to attracting and keeping customers."
Use this table as a starting point for managing your listings. If this feels overwhelming, professional services can help simplify the process.
Humble Help (https://humblehelp.studio) specializes in managing Google Business Profiles. If handling duplicates and maintaining consistency seems like a hassle, their team can take care of it for you.
Their services combine AI tools with human expertise to:
Clients have seen 50% more website traffic and 40% higher conversion rates within just 90 days. Their Brand Boost Package also includes website analysis and content creation tools.
"Outstanding communication, attention to detail and extremely high standard of quality" - Victor S., small business owner
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