Google My Business
Not being on Google My Business
How you end up on Google Maps
Google has partnerships to obtain data from many other data collectors. Through these partnerships Google is able to create a directory of businesses on Google Maps.
You can think of this much like Google referencing the whitepages phone book to create entries for businesses in Google Maps.
Sources may include government institutions and public legal business records, Third-party online sources, and Google Maps users like yourself.
Edits by others
Any place that a Google Maps user or Google themselves creates is considered Unverified or Unclaimed until the business owner (or an approved representative for the business) claims it via a verification process. Usually a postcard with a PIN code or phone call from Google.
An unclaimed place on Google Maps can have it’s information altered by a Google Maps user. For example someone can correct your listing’s hours to say that you are in fact open on Mondays despite the fact that Google Maps thought you were closed Mondays.
Yes, strangers on the internet (including competitors) can suggest edits to places on Google Maps. Much like how anyone on the internet can edit Wikipedia.
Edits may or may not be accepted and added to the listing depending on peer review and sometimes review by Google Maps staff.
The risks
Calling a presence on Google Maps a liability is one perspective. Calling it an absolutely essential asset of local businesses is another. Simply claiming the listing is a way of mitigating the liability.
The alternative
By not being on Google Maps your business will be far less visible to potential clients. Unlike your competitors who are reaping the benefits despite not having all 5 star reviews.
Being on Google Maps is more important for a brick and mortar business than even having a website.
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