IT’S NOT GOOGLE CALLING YOU
Are you sick of the recorded calls from “Kate, your Google specialist?”
“Hello, it’s your local Google marketing specialists. According to our records, your listing hasn’t been claimed yet.” If you’re like most business owners, you’ve received at least one of these types of phone calls from someone claiming they’re from Google. In some cases, if you’re particularly unlucky, you may have even received threats from one of these so-called “Google agents” claiming that you’re at risk of having your Google listing deleted if you don’t claim it… for a price. So is it true? Does Google actually call business owners and get them to claim their business listing?
As you might have imagined, the answer is a resounding, “no.”
There are some very rare instances in which Google might actually call a business. In most instances, it’s because you have initiated the conversation. There are several reasons you might be reaching out to Google. Some of these reasons might include support for your Google My Business listing, Adwords pay-per-click advertising support.
You might be wondering, why someone would go through the effort of pretending to get your Google My Business listing. At the most basic level, once your business listing has been verified (typically by postcard pin or phone pin) your listing is associated with a Gmail address. Obviously, if the listing has been tied to an email that’s not yours the Google scammer might try to hold the listing for ransom. They might even try to talk you into expensive SEO programs that employ black hat tactics.
If you have offered up your information to a so-called “Google Agent” all is not lost. Here are some steps you can do to reclaim your account.
- Gather any supporting documentation that proves you’re the business owner. In general, it helps to have a business license or utility statement with your business and address clearly listed. This can help Google quickly check secretary of state records and validate you are in fact the business owner. Be sure to scan these documents as you may need to provide it to Google (see step 3 below)
- Contact Google My Business support. You can either email them or call them on the phone. In this case, because you’ve initiated the phone call, they will call you back. Most phone calls are received within a few seconds of you clicking the button to initiate support from Google
- Explain the situation to Google. During your phone call, the Google representative may need you to provide that supporting information that you’d gathered earlier proving you’re the business owner.
- Be patient. The listing will most likely not be released that day; after all, Google will want to make sure you’re not a scammer as well. Google will, however, email you a support ticket that you can refer to and check progress.
Still having issues? We are happy to help. Give us a call or reach out to us and we’d be happy to answer any additional questions you may have.
“Hello, it’s your local Google marketing specialists. According to our records, your listing hasn’t been claimed yet.” If you’re like most business owners, you’ve received at least one of these types of phone calls from someone claiming they’re from Google. In some cases, if you’re particularly unlucky, you may have even received threats from one of these so-called “Google agents” claiming that you’re at risk of having your Google listing deleted if you don’t claim it… for a price. So is it true? Does Google actually call business owners and get them to claim their business listing?
As you might have imagined, the answer is a resounding, “no.”
There are some very rare instances in which Google might actually call a business. In most instances, it’s because you have initiated the conversation. There are several reasons you might be reaching out to Google. Some of these reasons might include support for your Google My Business listing, Adwords pay-per-click advertising support.
You might be wondering, why someone would go through the effort of pretending to get your Google My Business listing. At the most basic level, once your business listing has been verified (typically by postcard pin or phone pin) your listing is associated with a Gmail address. Obviously, if the listing has been tied to an email that’s not yours the Google scammer might try to hold the listing for ransom. They might even try to talk you into expensive SEO programs that employ black hat tactics.
If you have offered up your information to a so-called “Google Agent” all is not lost. Here are some steps you can do to reclaim your account.
- Gather any supporting documentation that proves you’re the business owner. In general, it helps to have a business license or utility statement with your business and address clearly listed. This can help Google quickly check secretary of state records and validate you are in fact the business owner. Be sure to scan these documents as you may need to provide it to Google (see step 3 below)
- Contact Google My Business support. You can either email them or call them on the phone. In this case, because you’ve initiated the phone call, they will call you back. Most phone calls are received within a few seconds of you clicking the button to initiate support from Google
- Explain the situation to Google. During your phone call, the Google representative may need you to provide that supporting information that you’d gathered earlier proving you’re the business owner.
- Be patient. The listing will most likely not be released that day; after all, Google will want to make sure you’re not a scammer as well. Google will, however, email you a support ticket that you can refer to and check progress.
Still having issues? We are happy to help. Give us a call or reach out to us and we’d be happy to answer any additional questions you may have.
