I am going to open an online business.
And I want to open the Google mybusiness account to host the online business.
Can Google local guide be added to the Google mybusiness account somehow?
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Hello @Brandnameora
This forum is for voluntary local guides and hence your question is not relevant here.
You have to post this query on Google My Business.
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You can, but to avoid conflicts of interest it would be better to use two separate accounts in my opinion.
Cheers
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The answer is no. Of course a business can be own by a Local Guide, but there are clearly explained limitations:
Guidelines for representing your business on Google : “Listings on Google My Business can only be created for businesses that either have a physical location that customers can visit, or that travel to visit customers where they are.” An online business cannot be on Google Maps.
Local Guides Program Terms and Conditions : "Organizations, brands, and businesses are not eligible for the Program." Basically you cannot use your Local Guides status to promote your business.
As clearly indicated by @C_T , Google my business is a different program, not related to the Local Guides program
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Okay,
I understand these explanations, and thank you for telling me.
When I will open the online business, is it a problem to have as a GLC?
I want to keep the GLC going and I won’t mention the online business in it.
Can I do that then?
Sincerely yours
Mr Brandnameora
Finland
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Sure.
Many Local Guides are also business owners, @Brandnameora
What is important is not to use your Local Guide position to promote your business.
Entrepreneurs are also persons, they eat on restaurants and have shopping, and they are free to add photos and reviews, or to make edits.
Thank you very much for asking, it is extremely important to know how to avoid a mixup of roles
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And you can have a google business listing as an online business as explained here:
https://www.google.com/business/
Cheers
Latest : forget this link. I thought it was for a Google search listing only. But it is actually for Maps also. Sorry about the confusion.
@MortenCopenhagen , according to the already mentioned Guidelines for representing your business on Google a business needs to have a physical contact with the customer, through a physical location accessible to the customers or traveling to visit the customer.
Google My Business offer an online presence of the business (a business listing on Google Maps and a website), that is quite different from an online only business.
Can you please share a screenshot where is indicated something different from the guidelines?
Hello @Brandnameora ,
Thanks for reaching out. I see fellow Local Guides shared their knowledge with you.
I am marking @ErmesT 's reply as a solution, so other Local Guides can refer to it. The purpose of this feature is to help Local Guides find answers when searching on the Connect. Please take a look at How do I mark comments as solutions? article.
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Thank you, that’s a marvelous solution for the situation.
I didn’t realize that, until now.
And thank you for being understanding and not lecturing to me, on your answer.
I have more than one Gmail account, so I’m able to create the new mybusiness account.
I’m not doing it right now, because I’m not opening the business just yet.
You are correct, @ErmesT .
I thought I had found a way to have a googke search business listing suitable for online-only businesses. But reading again it is clear this also includes a Maps listing. Sorry.
So is having (or inviting) Google crawlers find your online store the only way to get listed on Google Search?
Good morning
Morten
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Ok,
Whoa, your answer is quite long.
And I understand that you want me to explain what I’m doing.
I really want to be clear about the guidelines and I want an experts opinion on this matter.
But I am hesitant to tell you more.
So, could we please continue with this discussion somewhere else?
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In the future please use @ to tag the person you are talking with. A few tips about tagging people: To Tag or Not to Tag? Best practices and rules about tagging
In any case Moderators do not provide consultancy, we respond publicly to questions and issues posted in the community, and related to the Local Guides program so, if you have a question about Local Guides, feel free to ask
For questions related to Google My Business, you should ask on the Google My Business Help Community
I just love your qquestion about any ways to attract Google crawlers.
This is not an answer to that question, but I’m in an unique position, where in my account I give crazy views in the small town.
I give 30 views a day for a movie theater that is mentioned once a year in the local newspaper.
It must have been a few years ago that I posted the pictures from the movie theater. And it’s only a picture of the empty chairs.
And it’s got over 100 000 views.
The crazy explanation is that everyone in this 7 500 people town has smart devices and use them a lot.
I know of a person who lives in the same 7500 people town, who gets over 1,5 million views on those pictures.
I would understand if this was to happen in a bigger city, but this is a small town.
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Cinemas are what we call hotspots. Maps users often search for cinemas. So you get lots of views from search results lists when someone wants to watch a movie. Also from neighboring towns.
Other Hotspot are pizza places and hobby stores like yarn stores.
Years back I used to call on Google Search bots to come visit new my websites. I believe it is still possible.
Cheers
Morten