Snake Prank Goes Really Well
Last Updated: October 25, 2024
Why Would Google Block Users From Leaving Reviews A Google Business Profile?
Last Updated: October 25, 2024
Recently, a client reached out to us with a puzzling Google Business Profile (GBP) issue. His team had been regularly sharing the Google review link with customers to acquire reviews, which is, of course, a critical part of every business’ online strategy these days. The listing was live and fully visible to anyone searching for the business, so from the outside, everything looked fine.
However, there was a hidden problem: when customers clicked on the link to leave reviews, they simply couldn’t. Google was actively preventing them from leaving reviews, but our client had no clue this was happening—there were no warnings or notifications from Google. He only learned of the issue when a customer notified him that the review link wasn’t working.
Diagnosing the Problem: The Case of the Blocked Reviews
Without any alerts or notifications from Google, it wasn’t immediately obvious what was wrong. Our team dove into the details, exploring every potential cause. After some careful troubleshooting and digging, we uncovered the root of the issue: the business had been misclassified by Google. Although the listing itself was live and customers could see it, the misclassification blocked the ability to leave reviews, a fairly rare and challenging problem to identify.
Below is what the GBP notice looked like for users. It just reads “Posting is currently turned off.”
Why Would Google Block Reviews?!
At first, it seemed strange that Google would block reviews, but as we researched, it made more sense. Referring to these cases as “posting restrictions,” Google restricts reviews for certain types of entities and in certain situations. Some businesses, like police stations, can no longer receive reviews, while locations such as polling places have reviews turned off temporarily around election times. When fraud or abuse is detected against a particular location, reviews may also be disabled on a case-by-case basis. This process isn’t always transparent, so it can be hard to pinpoint the exact cause. You can read more about their policy governing this issue on their website.
Getting it Fixed: Navigating Google’s Appeals Process
Once we nailed down the cause, it was time to act. We knew we had to appeal directly to Google to reclassify the business under the correct category, which would reinstate the ability to leave reviews. Because we’re familiar with the appeals process and the best practices for GBP management, we moved quickly to file the appeal, ensuring Google had the information it needed to resolve the issue. Within just a few days, the review function was restored and our client could once again collect those invaluable customer reviews.
Takeaways and Tips for Your Own GBP
This experience is a good reminder to regularly check your Google Business Profile, especially if you rely on reviews for customer engagement. The client in this case had no idea there was a problem—without that customer’s heads-up, the issue might have gone unnoticed for months.
To stay on top of these issues, periodically check your GBP to make sure everything works as expected. Or, if you want to be completely sure your profile is in safe hands, consider working with a pro. Our team is here to monitor, maintain, and optimize your GBP to prevent these hidden problems from disrupting your business.
If you’re dealing with this issue, please reach out so we can help you resolve it. You can even sign up online by going to our Google Business Profile Rescue page.
Is That A Real Google Phone Number?
Last Updated: October 22, 2024
You’ve probably received one of those sketchy calls claiming to be from Google…who hasn’t at this point? We’ve all been there—someone calls saying they’re with Google and you need to verify your account, update payment info, or even pay to keep your Google Business Profile (which is free, by the way).
To help you steer clear of these scammers, we’ve put together a list of valid Google phone numbers (for the United States.) These are the real Google numbers you can trust, so the next time you get a “Google” call, you can be more certain that it’s legit.
Valid Google Phone Numbers
Google Maps
For issues related to your Google Business Profile (GBP) (formerly Google My Business)
650-206-5555
650-763-0461
844-899-8101
650-203-0000
650-417-9099
650-215-5133
650-215-5109
Google Voice Assistant
For inbound calls from the Google Voice Assistant. This is posted on Google’s website here: https://support.google.com/business/answer/7690269
650-206-5555
650-763-0461
650-899-8667
844-899-8101
855-252-7709
Google Voice Support
650-933-2255
Google Ads (AdWords) Support
650-206-5555
Download Our Verified Google Contact Card
Want to make sure you always have the right Google phone numbers on hand? We’ve created a downloadable contact card with the verified phone numbers listed above. It’s an easy way to add them to your phone so you can avoid being fooled by scammers.
Download Google Verified Contacts (vCard)
Simplified List of Valid Google Phone Numbers
If you’d rather add these to your phone yourself, here’s a simplified list you can copy/paste from.
650-203-0000
650-206-5555
650-215-5109
650-215-5133
650-253-0000
650-417-9099
650-450-6792
650-763-0461
650-899-8667
650-933-2255
844-899-8101
855-252-7709
If you’re trying to place a call to Google, these numbers might be helpful.
- Google Ads Support: 1-866-246-6453
- Google Business Profile Support (formerly Google My Business): 1-844-491-9665
- Note: They will play a recorded message telling you to file your case online.
- Google Workspace (G Suite) Support: 1-877-355-5787
- General Google Support (US): 1-650-253-0000
These typically won’t be the numbers you’ll see in your caller ID though.
Google has also published some tips on how to tell if a call is from them.
You can check that out here: https://support.google.com/business/answer/6212928?sjid=4149871325749920604-NA
Conclusion
Protecting yourself from scam calls is more important than ever. By using the valid Google phone numbers we’ve provided and remaining cautious of any unsolicited calls, you can safeguard your business from falling victim to fraud. Always verify any suspicious calls and keep our downloadable Google contact card handy for quick reference. Remember, Google will never ask for sensitive information like payment details over the phone, so stay alert and use the resources we’ve compiled here to ensure you’re dealing with the real Google.
Which Half Of Your Ad Spend Is Wasted?
Last Updated: October 16, 2024
“Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted; the trouble is, I don’t know which half.” This classic quote from marketing pioneer John Wanamaker hits home for many small business owners. You put money into advertising, but it’s hard to know exactly where it’s paying off. Luckily, in today’s digital world, we don’t have to stay in the dark. With simple, affordable tracking tools, you can finally figure out which half of your advertising spend is wasted—and stop wasting it!
At Prospect Genius, we tackle this challenge head-on using three simple but powerful tools: AdTrax, CallTrax, and PhoneSwap. Let’s break down how each one works and how they can help you make the most of every dollar you spend on advertising.
1. CallTrax: Know Which Campaigns Are Driving Calls
We all know that getting a live human to pick up the phone on the phone is where the money is. The challenge is in connecting that phone call to a specific marketing campaign so you know where to dial up your spend. We solve this with CallTrax. CallTrax provides a unique phone number for each campaign you run, and since it forwards calls directly to your regular number, you won’t even be able to tell anything has changed.
What CallTrax does is simple but powerful: it tracks exactly which campaigns are generating phone calls. You’ll be able to pinpoint which ads are making your phone ring and which ones aren’t worth the money.
2. PhoneSwap: Tailored Phone Numbers Based on the Source
One of our slickest tools is PhoneSwap. It automatically switches the phone number on your website depending on how visitors found you. Just tag the URL you’re using in your marketing campaigns and it will auto-magically swap out the CallTrax number on your site. Visitors won’t see any difference, but you’ll know exactly how they landed on your site.
This tool is especially useful when you’re running multiple campaigns on different platforms. Whether your leads are coming from Facebook ads, Google search, or an email campaign, you’ll know precisely which one led to the call.
3. AdTrax: Keep Your Eye on the Search Rankings
If you’re running Google ads or trying to rank organically, knowing where you stand in search results is key. AdTrax is the tool we created to search Google every day for the keywords we’re focused on. It tracks how we’re ranking over time, giving us insight into what’s working and what’s not. We use it for our own advertising, as well as for our clients.
Google personalizes search results based on location, browsing history, and more, which can skew the data. AdTrax eliminates these biases, giving us a much truer picture of our SEO performance. With this, we can see the impact of our strategies and adapt quickly. It’s like getting a daily report card on our efforts, helping us make informed decisions instead of guessing.
Why Tracking Tools Are a Game-Changer
Here’s the kicker: all three tools—AdTrax, CallTrax, and PhoneSwap—are super affordable. The amount of money you save by cutting underperforming campaigns far outweighs the cost of these tools. It’s a win-win for your bottom line. Without them, you’re flying blind, spending money without knowing where it’s going or if it’s coming back to you.
At the end of the day, these tools help us avoid Wanamaker’s dilemma. We know exactly where our money is working and where it’s not, allowing us to adjust our strategy and stop wasting valuable resources.
Take Control of Your Advertising
You don’t have to keep wondering which half of your advertising spend is wasted. By using tools like AdTrax, CallTrax, and PhoneSwap (or tools like them), you can take control of your marketing efforts and make data-driven decisions that lead to real results.
Google Business Profile Rescue: The Quick Fix for Suspended Listings
Last Updated: October 11, 2024
Has your Google Business Profile (GBP) been suspended or disappeared from Google Maps? As a business owner, especially in home services like plumbing, electrical work, or HVAC, you know how critical it is for potential customers to find you online. When your Google listing is down, so is your visibility. The good news? Our Google Business Profile Rescue service offers a quick fix for GBP listings to help you get back on the map fast!
The Danger of Suspension: Two Official Tries
Google only gives you two official tries to reinstate a suspended profile. If you don’t succeed on those two attempts, your business could be banned from Google permanently. Plus, every failure is another delay, which can mean surviving for weeks without a live GBP. Scary, right? That’s why it’s so important to get it right the first time.
Don’t Use Up Those Tries Without a Pro!
Here’s the thing: while it might seem tempting to rush in and try to fix your listing yourself, we strongly recommend against using up your two official tries without a professional on your side. The first two attempts offer by far your best odds of success, and we’ve seen too many business owners lose their hard-won reviews simply because they didn’t have the right help from the start.
The reality is that Google’s guidelines are tricky, and a small misstep could cost you dearly. Don’t leave that to chance—get in contact with us early, and we can ensure your appeals are handled correctly, giving you the highest possible chance of getting your listing and reviews back fast.
The Secret to a Third Try (and Why It’s a Game-Changer)
What many business owners don’t realize is that there’s actually a way to get a third bite at the apple if you’ve used your first two tries, but it’s not as straightforward as it sounds. The key is knowing exactly which form to use. If you use the wrong one, you will not be able to access that third try. Fortunately, we navigate these waters every single day and can make sure you get that additional chance.
When You Think All Hope is Lost: The Extra Try
Here’s where it gets really interesting. Let’s say you’ve already gone through the official appeals process and hit a wall. You’re thinking your listing, and all those glowing reviews, are gone for good. We’ve figured out a couple workarounds that can secure an additional try, even beyond the two or three you’re officially given.
This might sound like a Hail Mary pass, but we’ve had some incredible successes in what looked like impossible situations. When you think your listing is lost forever, we’ve been able to step in and get it back, along with your precious reviews. It’s not always easy, but we’re up for the challenge.
Why Choose Our GBP Rescue Service?
- Quick fixes for suspended Google Business Profiles: We specialize in getting your listing reinstated fast, so your customers can find you again.
- Don’t risk it alone: We strongly recommend that you don’t use up your two official tries without professional help. The best odds of success are in those first two appeals, and we can give you the best chance of success.
- Save your reviews: In most cases, your customer reviews are restored along with your listing, protecting the reputation you’ve worked so hard to build.
- Expert navigation: We know which forms to use, how to appeal effectively, and the tricks to get an extra attempt if needed.
- Even when it seems hopeless: Our team has seen success in cases where businesses thought their Google presence was gone for good. We can help, even when the odds seem stacked against you.
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
If your listing is suspended or missing from Google Maps, don’t wait until you’ve exhausted your appeals. The stakes are high, and your reviews—your reputation—are on the line. Contact us before you use up your official tries, and let us handle your Google Business Profile reinstatement with the precision and expertise needed to get your business back on the map.
Reach out to us today for a quick fix for your Google Business Profile, and let’s get you visible, searchable, and back in business!
