Local Google Business Listing Apology

February 12, 2008 | Filed Under Studio News 

In December of 2007, a company named Local Pull solicited me with a free month trial of their web optimization services. Unfortunately, I found out the hard way this company employs practices that Google considers unethical and a potential for blacklisting. Within two weeks, I canceled the account (yet they are now billing me for their disastrous service and aren’t returning any of my phone calls or emails). Soon, I will be filing a complaint to the BBB. Needless to say, I highly discourage anyone from doing business with Local Pull.

The damage done was with a Google Local Business Listing that included the keywords “Omaha Wedding Photographer” in the name (along with several errors) to increase our rankings. This practice unfairly manipulates the system and cheats out other photographers competing in the same market. For this I sincerely apologize to the local photographic community and assure everyone we are doing everything we can to resolve this problem.

Unfortunately, these listings are easy to put up but are extremely difficult to change or suspend. We are currently waiting for a letter (which will take 2-3 weeks) to verify the suspension. Once verified, it will take Google another 4 weeks to update their listings. We value relationships in every part of our business, and we want to own our mistakes and learn from them. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding as we navigate the tough and sometime dangerous waters of small business ownership.

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