How to Spot Google My Business Spam

By Chuck Magee, Raise the Rank. 

An overview of spamming and keyword stuffing tactics to be wary of. 

Competitors will sometimes use Google My Business (GMB) to steal your leads and money through spamming and keyword stuffing. Basically, GMB spamming is when less than credible companies will use lots of keywords so that they show up in a Google search above other businesses. GMB spam threatens the success of credible businesses and your SEO strategy, so read on to learn how to spot GMB spam and stay up to date on the latest tactics being used. 

GMB listing suspension is possible

Using a hyphen or keyword stuffing comes with deadly consequences if Google catches you. Google’s algorithm is changing rapidly, and nobody can keep spamming GMB forever.   

Soft suspension and hard suspension – these are the two ways to get your GMB account suspended. Even though you are not caught in the act, your competitor might spot you and turn you into Google.  

But why does Google make changes to its algorithm every month or so? One of the reasons is to upgrade their spam detection capabilities. Of course, they are getting more and more efficient in detecting spam with each update.   

Nevertheless, let’s find out how the roofing companies with a shaky online presence can outrank you by using spamming and other fraudulent techniques.  

Look at the picture and the address

Google My Business listing is not something you can blindly rely on; here is proof of it.  

If you come across a roofing service, which only displays a house instead of its office it is most likely spam. Further, your competitor might be using a bogus address to manipulate the listing. 

Obviously, one thing can happen – a service provider might ask his or her friends to get through the Google verification and put the address to use. To me, this is highly suspicious. You’d be surprised to know what I found once – a roofing company using the location of a church! Now we don’t know if the contractor is a preacher, but something shady about the GMB listing is there.  

Keyword stuffing is another common trick

In our previous blog I discussed how roofing companies with almost zero reviews can leave the one with more than a hundred reviews behind. But you would like to know what keyword stuffing does, right?  

Remember, the example with a hyphen I mentioned. So, the phrases put right after the hyphen are stuffed keywords.   

For example, I found George Beck Builders – Residential Roofer & Home Remodeler & Roof Repair Mobile AL. Now, such a huge company name exists on GMB, thanks to keyword stuffing! Yes, eight keywords are in use.   

If you want to become a pro in identifying the spam, you do not need the website or affiliation. One simple glance at the company name is enough.  

Learn more about SSA in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.ssacapp.com. 

Original article source: Raise the Rank