What Google Places Information Can People Actually Edit?

Last week I posted about the recent Google Places changes.  Google now automatically update your listings and allow users to edit listings too.

I posted a screenshot of exactly what people can edit on your Google Places over on Facebook, but the image is quite large and not clear.  Here’s the breakdown.

Anyone logged into their Google account who view your Places listing have the option to edit.  Note – I am in the UK, you will have to test if this has rolled out in other countries.

On clicking “edit this place” they have the option to change the following details:

• Place name
• Telephone
• Home page
• Categories
• Opening Hours
• Location

I zoomed out the browser view to fit everything on one screen.  Here’s a closer look.

So it’s Sunday morning, but I am awake enough to notice that screen is not the usual edit places dashboard.  The most obvious change is the scrolling right bar is missing and the categories option is not separated into the five boxes.

There is also a tick box option, just above the blue save button to be notified when the page is reviewed or if further information is needed.

I have my Google Places page bookmarked, I do check it from time to time and click the edit button on the page.  This time, even though I was logged in, I was taken to this user edit screen.  The option is there to edit as the business owner at the top right side.

Google will notify business owners of any changes – so you do need to keep an eye on your email.

I still think this system is so open to abuse.  Google accounts are free and easy to create, there’s no traceability.

For example, my blog content with my details stripped out is being used without permission by a “competitor” in Liverpool – what if they changed my places page?  They’re close enough locally to actually use my services if I had a walk in office…  A change from them could be seen as relevant.

Perhaps I am being overly paranoid, but I have been online long enough to know that some people will do anything to ensure their rankings.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on user editing Google Places pages.

- Jan