Jackson Lo

Users refer to Google Maps because they are either looking for a phone number, address, directions or more information about a business in their local area. They also trust that the information presented is relevant, high-quality and answers the questions that they have. There, it is best practice to stay within Google Place's quality guidelines when you claim a listing. 

Shoulds - Accurately list your business information:

For example, a business called “Fly Fishing Frankie’s Ltd.”, the following is correct: 

Company/Organization: Fly Fishing Frankie’s Ltd.
Street Address: 88 Fish Road
City/Town and Postal Code: Fishtown, CA 90210
Main Phone: (555) 555-5555
Website: www.example_for_flyfishingfrankies.com

Business title – make is clan and easy-to-read. It should also reflect the exact name of your company or organization.

Should Nots – modifying your business title that does not reflect the exact name of your company or organization (descriptors and keywords, location names, phone numbers and websites, capitalization and punctuation)

• [Example title violation] Professional fishing travels
• [Example title violation] Fly Fishing Frankie’s Ltd. – fishing, cutter travels, eating crabs
• [Example title violation] Fly Fishing Frankie’s Ltd. entertaining cutter travels
• [Example title violation] Fly Fishing Frankie’s Ltd. Fishtown
• [Example title violation] Fly Fishing Frankie’s Ltd. in Market Place Shopping Mall
• [Example title violation] Fly Fishing Frankie’s Ltd. (555) 555-5555
• [Example title violation] Fly Fishing Frankie’s Ltd. www.example_for_fishingfreddys.com
• [Example title violation] FLY FISHING FRANKIE’S LTD.
• [Example title violation] **!!**Fly Fishing Frankie’s Ltd.**!!**

Take 'photographer' in Ottawa as an example:

The top 7 listings are recognized as local business in the Ottawa area, mostly by the information presented in the business profile (name, address, phone number, citations, etc). Yet, some businesses still include more than enough information about their business name. Be careful!

There are only some examples of how business listings on Google Places could be, and have been, suspended. Avoid these tactics of spamming your business listing with keyword phrases. Follow Google Place's quality guidelines and Google will like you more (hopefully Google hears this and enforce spam standards in business titles/listings). David Mihm also mentions this topic in his recent blog post: Thoughts on Business Titles

Resource: Google Small Business Blog: Tips for creating a free business listing in Google Places: Business listing titles

If you have any thoughts, please start a discussion in the comment box below.