Google Maps is now starting to crack down on MapSpam. The current strategies that are now being used to dominate the local search results are being monitored and limited. What does this mean for you? This means you must represent you business exactly as it appears in real life. Google will no longer permit use of keyword-rich search phrases as your business name. According to Google, businesses must are now required to use their actual names.

By implementing the new rules, Google wants to eliminate multiple listings for a single business. For example, Jan Dils & Jim Leach Attorneys at Law, PLLC could previously use this tactic to rank well in Google maps, by using keywords such as, West Virginia Personal Injury Lawyer, West Virginia Medical Malpractice Attorney, and so forth could be added to the companies’ keyword criteria to rank high. This strategy enabled one business to achieve multiple listings for a variety of different phrases.

With the new rules, Google wants these keywords to be placed within your description and custom attributes fields. For example, if you are advertising plastic surgery, you can create an attribute called Brands Carried (and put in the types of breast implants such as saline and silicone breast implants). Then to the right you’ll list various brands you carry. We recommend you consider placing your most important keywords OFFICIALLY into the title of your business.

Please Note: Claim your listing!

Spammers have recently started to hijack unclaimed listings of business and making them into their own. Spammers are hijacking majority of the top ranked businesses, which they have now started to direct traffic to their affiliate sites. Now the hijackers are earning commissions from your Google Maps listing. By not claiming your site, you’ll never be alerted by phone because the thief has changed “you” phone number to their own. There is a good chance that you will never notice the hijacking took place unless you happen to notice the incorrect information. Google has created a form to claim your business listing. If you do not claim your listing now do not say you were not warned.

Google Maps has also added an enhancement to their Mobile Search service. This new service can now track your location to give you listings of what you are looking for in your area. This may freak you out that there is someone tracking you, by Google is going through great lengths to assure us our location is never associated with personal information, even if you are logged into your Google account. Along with this new feature, Google has recently released Street View which will make it easier for consumers to find what they are looking for.

What Google is saying, marketers who are prepared to precisely segment their target audience, and efficiently match offers to customer locations, will be raking in the big bucks? Start preparing today because when the changes come, I believe that they will happen quickly.