google pushes local search…. I mean AdWords
Posted by Methodical on August 9th, 2007 filed in googleI found this today and thought I would share. Google is putting a lot of time and effort into their local search project. It looks like they are going the extra mile to make sure companies that submit their site for the local search are legit as well as trying to get some new listings. Evidently google is now looking for Business Referral Representatives to make cold calls to get pictures of area stores, their operating schedule, and types of payments they accept. It looks like the real motive is trying to get the local businesses to sign up for AdWords.
Excerpt taken from googles Business referral Representative FAQ:
As a Google Business Referral Representative, you’ll visit local businesses to collect information (such as hours of operation, types of payment accepted, etc.) for Google Maps, and tell them about Google Maps and Google AdWords. You’ll also take a few digital photos of the business that will appear on the Google Maps listing along with the business information. After the visit, you submit the business’ info and photo(s) to Google through your Local Business Referrals Center, and we’ll pay you up to $10 for each listing that is approved by Google and verified by the business.
Yes you heard it. They are willing to pay you $10. That’s right a whole $10 dollars. I guess you could make a $100 a day, but you would really have to put in the hours. I normally would never call google cheep, but 10 bucks! It almost seems wrong.
August 9th, 2007 at 11:13 am
While $10 seem’s really stingy particularly as it’s only $2 till the business verifies the information I can see this working as a business model.
One of the site’s I run is aimed at local business in various towns, these business have little to no web presence as part of this we visit these business explaining what we do and offer them the chance to sign up to our advertising/mini site system. Now this is a lot of foot walking, but something like Google’s bits while not a huge earner could be done at the same time.
Based on the info they are after you can get through 5 an hour (we currently do that now) so 3 man team 5 business an hour $150 extra income per hour to do what they would have already been doing.
I notice they have not rolled this out to the UK
August 9th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
The 5 an hour could be really tough to do consistently. If you picked your spot right you could maybe find places where you would not have to get back in your car between stops.
I guess it could be a good job for someone who needs the extra cash, or to do while you are getting clients for your other web project. They should give the BRR a % cut of they yearly AdWords revenue. It would not have to be much maybe 1% or something. Plus google would probably do better in the long run because they would have people on the ground who could approach the AdWord customer when their AdWord buying slacked off.
January 8th, 2008 at 6:54 am
very interesting.
i’m adding in RSS Reader