How to Handle Duplicate Listings in GMB (Google My Business)
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- What are Duplicate Listings in Google My Business?
- Why Duplicate Listings Matter for Local SEO
- Common Causes of Duplicate Listings in Google My Business
- How to Find Duplicate Listings in Google My Business
- How to Resolve Duplicate Listings in Google My Business
- Best Practices for Preventing Duplicate Listings
- The Impact of Duplicate Listings on Local SEO Rankings
- Tools to Manage Google My Business Listings
- Conclusion
Introduction
Google My Business (GMB) is one of the most important tools in your local SEO strategy. It helps your business get discovered in local search results, allowing potential customers to find vital information about your business, such as your address, hours of operation, and customer reviews. However, one issue many businesses face is duplicate listings.
Duplicate listings occur when multiple GMB profiles exist for the same business, leading to discrepancies in business information. These duplicates can affect your business’s visibility and its ability to rank effectively in Google’s local search results. Additionally, they confuse customers who may come across conflicting information about your business.
In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about duplicate listings in Google My Business. From understanding what they are, why they matter for your local SEO, to the steps you can take to resolve them, we’ve got you covered.
What are Duplicate Listings in Google My Business?
Duplicate listings in Google My Business are additional listings that Google has created for your business, either due to errors during account creation or because multiple people have tried to claim the same business profile. These listings contain conflicting or incomplete information, and they confuse both Google’s algorithms and your potential customers.
Duplicate listings can appear for a variety of reasons, such as multiple accounts being set up for the same business, customers creating their own GMB profiles for your business, or simply because of incorrect information being submitted during the business listing process.
Google tends to favor unique and complete business profiles in local search, so if multiple listings exist, Google may struggle to determine which one is authoritative. As a result, your rankings may suffer, or your business may not appear in search results at all.
Why Duplicate Listings Matter for Local SEO
Duplicate listings can have a significant impact on your business’s local SEO. Here are the main reasons why they matter:
- Inconsistent Information: Google relies on the accuracy of information across all listings to rank businesses in local search results. If your business has multiple listings with varying information (e.g., address, phone number, or hours), it can confuse Google, leading to lower rankings or removal from the search results.
- Reduced Visibility in Local Pack: The Local Pack (the map and the three businesses listed below it in local searches) is highly competitive. Duplicate listings can cause Google to disregard your business or exclude it from the Local Pack entirely, significantly reducing your visibility.
- Lost Customer Trust: Customers are often confused when they see multiple listings for the same business, especially if the details are different. This can cause trust issues, as users may wonder which listing is accurate and may abandon their search for a more consistent option.
Common Causes of Duplicate Listings in Google My Business
Duplicate listings can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Multiple Claims on the Same Business: If more than one person claims your business under different accounts, Google may create separate listings. Sometimes employees or third-party marketing agencies may inadvertently create duplicate profiles for the same business.
- Incorrect or Inconsistent NAP: The NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) consistency is vital for local SEO. If your business’s NAP information is inconsistent across multiple platforms (for example, different phone numbers listed on different directories), it can result in duplicate listings being created by Google.
- Customer Submissions: Sometimes, customers may create their own listings for your business, especially if they leave reviews or add photos. If this happens, it can lead to multiple GMB profiles being created for your business.
- Multiple Locations: For businesses with more than one location, Google may unintentionally create duplicate listings, especially if the locations are near each other or share similar addresses.
How to Find Duplicate Listings in Google My Business
To address duplicate listings, the first step is to identify them. Here are a few methods you can use to locate duplicate listings:
- Manual Search: The simplest method is to manually search for your business on Google. Type your business name and location into the Google search bar and see if multiple listings for your business appear. You can also use Google Maps to look for duplicates.
- Use Google My Business Dashboard: Log into your GMB dashboard and check for any additional listings. Look for discrepancies in business information that may suggest duplicate entries.
- Third-Party Tools: Tools like Moz Local, Yext, or BrightLocal can help you identify duplicate listings across the web, including Google My Business. These tools track your business’s information across various online directories and highlight inconsistencies.
How to Resolve Duplicate Listings in Google My Business
Once you’ve identified duplicate listings, it’s time to take action. Here are the steps you can take to resolve them:
- Claim Duplicate Listings: If you find a duplicate listing that’s unclaimed, you can claim it through the Google My Business dashboard. After claiming the duplicate, you can merge the information into your primary listing.
- Request Google to Merge Listings: If the duplicate listing is already claimed, you can contact Google My Business support to request that the listings be merged. This process consolidates reviews, photos, and business details into one unified listing.
- Remove Incorrect Listings: If the duplicate listing contains incorrect or irrelevant information, you can request its removal directly through Google’s support. This ensures that only your primary listing appears in search results.
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Best Practices for Preventing Duplicate Listings
To prevent duplicate listings from appearing in the future, follow these best practices:
- Consistent NAP: Make sure your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are consistent across all online platforms. This reduces the risk of Google creating duplicate listings.
- Monitor Your Listings Regularly: Regularly check your GMB profile and other online directories to ensure no new duplicate listings have appeared. Set reminders to audit your listings every few months.
- Customer Communication: If customers have created their own listings for your business, kindly request that they remove them. This prevents further confusion and ensures that only your official profile appears in search results.
- Claim All Business Locations: If your business has multiple locations, ensure each one has its own GMB profile. Avoid creating duplicates by making sure that each listing is correctly set up.
The Impact of Duplicate Listings on Local SEO Rankings
Duplicate listings can negatively impact your business’s local SEO rankings in several ways:
- Conflicting Data: Multiple listings with different phone numbers, addresses, or other information can confuse Google’s algorithms, causing your business to rank lower or not appear in search results.
- Diluted Ranking Signals: Reviews, photos, and other engagement data are distributed across multiple listings, diluting their effectiveness. Google may not know which listing to favor, leading to lower rankings.
- Exclusion from the Local Pack: The Local Pack is an exclusive area in Google search results where only the most relevant and accurate businesses are displayed. Duplicate listings can prevent your business from appearing in this highly visible section.
Tools to Manage Google My Business Listings
Several tools can help you manage your Google My Business listings and detect duplicate entries:
- Moz Local: Moz Local can help you identify duplicate listings and maintain consistent business information across directories.
- Yext: Yext is an excellent tool for managing your business listings and ensuring that all of your information is accurate across various platforms, including GMB.
- BrightLocal: This tool offers a range of local SEO features, including duplicate listing detection and citation tracking, to keep your business profile up to date.
Conclusion
Duplicate listings in Google My Business can have a major impact on your business’s local SEO performance, causing confusion for both customers and Google’s search algorithms. Identifying and resolving duplicate listings is crucial for ensuring that your business has a single, accurate, and authoritative profile. By regularly monitoring your GMB listings, claiming and merging duplicates, and following best practices for maintaining accurate business information, you can enhance your local SEO efforts and improve your visibility in local search results.
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