Google announced on the 13th of October 2011 on their LatLong blog that Google places listings will be automatically updated.
They explained that even claimed listings would be updated with information from trusted third parties and end users if, in Google’s eyes, the information appeared to be more reliable and credible than that in the Places Dashboard.
Changes To Google Places Listings
This doesn’t mean that you can’t edit your listing personally, you can still log in and amend data manually, Google will only automatically update content on listings for businesses that do not see amending data personally as a priority.
Google may collect data from users that provide details via suggestions, alternatively they may use data present in their system which may have been acquired by other means, and this could be from a directory or any other form of information from trusted sources. Seinsibly, Google will send business owners email notifications before their listings are updated, to allow them to either confirm or discard the suggested content. Below is an example of what the email would look like.
Your listing on Google Places will soon be updated |
| Dear Google Places user,Google will soon update your listing data on our consumer properties such as Google and Google Maps to more accurately reflect the latest information we have about your business.We use many sources to determine the accuracy of our listing data and to provide the best possible experience for business owners and consumers who use Google and Google Maps to find local information.
Below is a summary of what your listing(s) will contain once it’s updated in the next few weeks. This will be visible on your Place page and listings across Google properties, but it will not be reflected in your Google Places account: +44 7712 345678 http://www.thegeneralcompany.co.uk If the above information is not accurate, please sign in to Google Places. You may prevent any of these changes from being made on your Place page and listing by selecting “Edit”, and then pressing the “Submit” button to confirm the correct information about your business. For more information about updates to claimed listings, please visit: http://www.google.com/support/places/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=1318197 |
New Attacks On Google Places
The aim of this change is no doubt to improve the quality of information held on Google Places business listings, however, this method of updating, if not properly examined by business owners, provides an entirely new approach for malicious attacks or competitors to reduce listing effectiveness. By supplying incorrect information through trusted sources on the internet it would be possible to get a Google Place changed without any form of access to the account to which it is linked.
Surely Google should be wary of methods by which someone other than the business owner can affect Google Places, after the recent “closing” of their headquarters reported in the New York Times.
It certainly makes a further case for Google Places account holders to ensure that they monitor their email account for these updates and maintain their listing on a regular basis to ensure that it is not tampered with.
