How to properly handle a duplicate GMB listing.

• I've heard that duplicate GMB listings can seriously hurt a business. Can you explain a bit why that is?

  I've got a client who has just discovered a duplicate GMB listing. We don't have ownership of it yet and I'm wondering, how do we get rid of it?

  I'm hoping your answer will help me convince my client we should tackle this issue sooner, rather than later.

Answer:

You're 100% correct. Duplicate Google My Business (GMB) listings do in fact hurt a business because the second listing is competing with the first for the same spot in the search results. Each diminishes the importance of the other, mutually reducing each other's rankings.

Plus, Google won't show both listings. Instead they pick one, which many times is the one with fewer reviews and lacking in company details. This is a problem because it hurts your conversions.

Reviews First!
The very first thing you must do is check for reviews that need to be moved. Google explains how to do that here.

Once you've gotten your reviews in order, you should proceed according to your type of duplicate listing as follows:

1. Duplicate Listings with the Same Address for Physical Store Front locations.

• Be sure you have ownership of both listings.

• If they're BOTH verified then you must UNverify the one you want to delete.

• Grab the Google Maps URLs for BOTH listings.

• Reach out to GMB Support and share the URLs with them asking them to merge the listings for you. You can expect a response within 24-48 hours during the work week.

  • Ask them to call you through support.

  • If you have an AdWords / Google Ads account number then you can use the Google Ads phone number (1-866-2Google) and then select the option for Google My Business.

  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/googlemybusiness

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