Adding a new or missing business location in Google maps just got a whole lot easier.
As of the 4th of November in the latest Google Maps App update, (Version 4.12.0), you can now add a new or missing business location.
You were previously not able to do this and if you have not updated the app when you open the menu on your phone your menu options will be as per the below image:
If this is what you still get don’t stress out you may just need to update the app.
Once you have done that open the menu and then you will see the option of “Add a missing business” just under settings. If you then click on that link you will be taken to an “Add a place” page which you can add details about the business and location as per below.
That information will be submitted to the review team and then you (and the owner of that account if they already have a business with that website URL listed) will receive updates on the progress or the review.
Why should you care?
Making adding a business so much easier has both positive and negative implications. On one hand it just got really easy for anyone to add information about our business to Google and Google Maps.
On the other hand the information that can be added using the app is limited and you will still need to add images and descriptions using the usual interface. Having the base data of location, phone number and website is hardly best practice for optimisation.
The listing should still be updated with all relevant details including optimised copy for the business description and optimised images etc. This will enhance the listings relevance and therefore opportunity to appear in the top 3 maps listings when people do a Google Search for products or services you offer in that area.
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Glenn is a Partner and Senior Consultant who has had a very successful career building growth companies in the private equity arena. He has a wealth of experience in both the digital space and strategy development. Prior to becoming a partner in SureFire Glenn built one of the largest digital teams in New Zealand for a NASDAQ listed global online marketing company & Google's largest premium partner.
