Google is in the midst of a massive migration of claimed business listings from the old Places Dashboard to the new Places for Business Dashboard. Simultaneously, they are apparently also in the midst of merging the new Places for Business Dashboard interface and functionality with the Google+ Page management interface … confusing on both a branding and functional level. Which environment do you or you client work in? How can you tell by looking at their local listing page?
These screen shots of both the management environment and the resulting pages offer you the ability to make heads or tails of where your listing was created and how to know by examining just the the listing itself.
New Google Places Dashboard
Upgraded to social using Google+ widget
Dashboard:
Note that the Google+ widget says “Visit your Google+ page,” implying that Google+ is already activated.
Local Google+ page:
How to spot: verification checkmark, can review this page, red Follow button
These listings appear in Maps and have social features. Users can access this Help Center: http://support.google.com/business.
Not upgraded to social using Google+ widget
Dashboard:
Note that the Google+ widget is not yet activated, so the messaging invites me to start using it.
Google Business listing:
How to spot: ability to write reviews for this page, no Follow button, no verification checkmark even though it’s verified in Places
These listings show up on Maps, no social features. Help Center for these users is http://support.google.com/business.
Old Google Places Dashboard (verified, no Google+ page)
Dashboard:
Google Business listing:
How to spot: can write reviews for this listing, no checkmark even though its Places verified (same appearance as a listing managed in the new Places Dashboard w/o social ugprade.)
These listings show up on Maps, no social features. Help Center for these users is http://support.google.com/places.
Google+ (local business/place category)
PIN verified
Dashboard (clicking on Edit business information):
Note the Google+ in the top left corner.
Local Google+ page:
How to spot: can write reviews for this page, red Follow button, verification checkmark (same appearance as a page managed in the new Places Dashboard that has been social upgraded)
These pages show up in Maps and have social features. Help Center is at http://support.google.com/business.
Not verified
Dashboard:
Note the Google+ in the top left and the butter bar that asks user to verify.
Local Google+ page:
How to spot: red Follow button, map on the About tab, no place to write a review
These pages don’t show up on Maps but do have social features. User support for unverified pages is either on http://support.google.com/business or the Google+ Help Community.
Google Places Bulk Tool (verified)
Dashboard:
Note: It won’t usually say that you have no locations!
Google Business listing
How to spot: can write a review, no Follow button (same appearance as a listing managed in old Places or new Places, no social features)
