Google Maps: Spelling Doom for Small Local Businesses
Even after being on the internet for five years now, Google maps still keep floundering. This is primarily due to Google’s strategy of “launch early and iterate”. This policy creates a tool that is open to abuse by black-hat marketers. By putting a product that is not completely finished into the market, Google has played into the hands of these marketers. Pureshear was the locksmith who first blew the whistle over all these illicit methods that were employed by marketers. He was the one who understood the problem and after understanding his precarious position, he attempted to change the mistakes as best as possible. When he failed, he put his career in danger and told everything to Google. Because of this, all of his listings have been banned from Google Maps.
Google’s Gain: Local Businesses’ Loss
While it is definitely true that Pureshear was at a fault, we must also remember that the problem arose not from him, but because of Google’s policy of “release quickly and iterate”. This is the reason that its product has not been able to survive against the black hats. The repercussions of this strategy are being felt by the local businesses and the truthful locksmith. More so, after Google released the rough cut maps and its Business Center. What has happened is that the local businesses have suffered and Google’s competition that has been more circumspect in such releases has also suffered because of this.
Accuracy Counts
This has happened because Google has failed to realize that Local Search is much more about truth and accuracy, not about relevance. Google has, on the other hand, used its age old strategies of search relevance here and that doesn’t work as well when searching accurately is more important. This results in losses to many small businesses. It needs to be remembered that Google is the only way for a lot of these businesses to compete against the largest businesses as the web levels the playing field. This is why it is imperative that Google stays faithful to its true customers – the people and doesn’t fall into the trap of lending a helping hand to its other clients.
With regards to such allegations, Google has responded saying that “We have kept the listings open for local businesses and we are trying to equip individual businesses so that their listings are correct and within their control.” He also added that “It is important to see that in going after the minority-case people who spam we might harm the majority-case who don’t.”
Tags: Accuracy Counts, allegations, Local Businesses’ Loss, minority-case, release quickly and iterate
