Cool New Features Offered by Google Local Business Center

The Google Local Business Center (LBC) has recently announced 2 cool new features; a way to link directly to your Google Maps coupons and brand new verification form for those who use the bulk upload process, to upload their business listings to Google Maps.

1. Link-to-Coupon Feature

A new addition to the Google Local Business Center (LBC) enables companies to link directly to coupons listed on Google Maps. Links can go to all coupons or individual ones.

Google introduced printable online coupons on Google Maps before 2 years ago and has received little visibility. Google’s Coupon feature has long been the forgotten feature of the Local Business Center. Mike Blumenthal, well known local search expert, believes that the effort to upgrade the visibility of coupons is of interest and this may drive some more awareness for this coupon feature on Google Maps.

2. New Bulk Upload Verification Process

The Google Local Business Center (LBC) recently also announced a verification process for those that engage its bulk upload process. Bulk uploads enable companies with more than 10 brick-and-mortar locations to enter each location’s data into Google Maps all at once.

The information, requirements and the verification form can be accessed over here. But first make sure that it satisfies the following requirements:

1. You must have a bulk upload of at least 10 listings in your account to qualify.
2. Bulk upload verification does not affect individually added listings.
3. You must be the business owner of the businesses provided in your bulk upload.

Google has struggled with spam issues in the bulk upload process, so the verification process is hopefully going to solve much of those issues.

Image credit: Mike Blumenthal