Google Now and Local Businesses

Google Now, Local Business and Anonymous Reviews

With the launch of Google Now for iPhone and iPad, Google has made local business pages more visible – and with it, reviews from anonymous, non-accountable “Google Users”.

Google Now works by accessing the machine’s location and analysing the contents of the person’s Gmail and Google Calendar records as well as their past Google searches.

Examples of the results then given, without the user asking, include:

• Maps suggesting the quickest route home
• Flight departure updates based on bookings made
•  Suggested nearby restaurants, museums and shops
• Live sports results based on which teams the user follows

Until now Google Now had been limited to devices running Google’s own Android operating system; most phones don’t have it yet, but as users upgrade phones that will change.

For local businesses, this could be a great development but what’s not so marvellous is when Google foists anonymous negative reviews onto users.

Negative reviews are one thing, but anonymous reviews allow people to say whatever they want, true or false, without being held accountable.

Google’s official policy actually moved away from anonymous reviews when they made the change from Google Places to Google+ Local for business pages.  In theory, users are now required to sign in with their Google account before they can post reviews.  Better in theory (although there’s nothing to stop someone setting up multiple fake accounts) but the problem is that old anonymous reviews which predate the change still remain on business pages and what is worse, new reviews are still being posted by anonymous users.  A user complained about this in a Google help thread and a Google representative admitted the problem, saying “they were looking into it”. However, there has been no indication from Google that they have solved the issue.

Google needs to act now to fix the fault and halt the spread of anonymous comments.  Apparently Google does not intend to get rid of old anonymous comments, though they should eventually be pushed down the list by more recent reviews.  Let’s hope Google ensures that the comments that replace them at the top are real ones rather than more anonymous fakes.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-22345158

Reporting Blackmail to TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor has finally responded to owner reports of attempted “blackmail”  when guests threaten to post negative and malicious reviews unless a demand for a refund, upgrade, or other request is met. They describe this as “an occasional concern” although reports of attempted blackmail are fairly common on their Owner’s forum.

TripAdvisor Blackmail on Owners Forum

They now have a way for you to report blackmail threats before a corresponding review is submitted. TripAdvsor says that immediate reporting of blackmail threats can “supplement our investigative procedure and help us keep blackmail reviews from ever reaching the site.”

Here are their procedures for registered owners to report blackmail to TripAdvisor:

• Instruct staff to share any guest blackmail threats immediately.
• Submit a potential blackmail review report as soon as possible via the Management Center as follows:

1. Log in to your property Management Centre
2. Select “Manage your reviews”
3. Click the link under “Dispute a review”
4. Complete the form and confirm that the issue “Report blackmail” is selected
5. Provide the month and year of the guest’s stay, an email address and/or a name and as many details as possible about the incident.

• Retain as much documentation relating to the report as you can including emails, letters, voicemails, etc.

Any reports of experiences in using this procedure would be welcome!

#TripAdvisor Liable under UK Law

Hotels, B&Bs and restaurants can now take legal action in the UK against review website TripAdvisor following a landmark victory over legal jurisdiction.

Following months of legal argument, TripAdvisor said on October 11th at Stornoway Sheriff Court that it was dropping its challenge to UK jurisdiction, conceding that it is subject to the laws of Scotland and can be taken to court in the UK.

The case was brought by a Scottish B&B owner who claimed that negative criticism posted about his business was false and should be removed by TripAdvisor.

TripAdvisor had previously denied it was subject to UK law and argued it could not be sued in Britain, saying that its headquarters are in Massachusetts and therefore outside the reach of the UK legal system.

However, the B&B owner’s lawyer argued that the “harmful event” took place in Uig, on Lewis, and thus the Stornoway court had jurisdiction. In addition, he pointed out TripAdvisor had a designated office at 7 Soho Square in London, which put “the defenders in the member state.”

However, this particular case may not make it to court as the Sheriff ruled it was too complex for the Sheriff court and would have to be transferred to a higher court.  This would expose the plaintiff to unlimited legal expenses.

The B&B owner pointed out to the sheriff that TripAdvisor had spent weeks trying to transfer the case to Massachusetts, and that its latest request to transfer to a higher court was a ruse to make it too expensive for him to pursue his case.  Sheriff Colin Scott Mackenzie said, “I do have sympathy for you” but added that the contract law involved might be too complex for his court.

Mr Gollin is now appealing to the Sheriff Principal over the decision, which could force him to drop the action due to the legal costs involved.  However, it does set a precedent for other owners to challenge TripAdvisor in court outside the USA.

#TripAdvisor #Travel #Fail

TripAdvisor Geography Failure

If you’re planning a trip to France using TripAdvisor (or anywhere else, for that matter) just beware – geography is clearly not their strong point.

I was browsing the department of the Sarthe in France – home to the famous Le Mans 24 Hours race each June – and I noticed that TripAdvisor had helpfully suggested some nearby “popular destinations near the Sarthe” that I presumably might want to consider visiting if I were going to the Sarthe.

TripAdvisor – Popular Places near the Sarthe

Fortunately, I know the region but just in case anyone doesn’t, here is a map of France showing where TripAdvisor’s idea of popular destinations near the Sarthe actually are (in red) and where the Sarthe is (in green).

TripAdvisor – Popular Places near the Sarthe

Thanks, TripAdvisor!  But we regret to inform you that we won’t be taking up your suggestions 🙂

Dangerous TripAdvisor Reviewers to be Tagged

In a bold move to aid hotels, restaurants and bed and breakfast owners to avoid some of the worst of its members, TripAdvisor is trying to tag its most dangerous reviewers.

It is hoped that in time all of the most pompous and prolific reviewers with the most grossly exaggerated view of their own self-importance will be tagged in this way.

The scheme works by attaching a large “TripAdvisor” logo to the luggage of the unwanted guest, enabling canny owners to put up a “Fully Booked” sign as they see the offender approaching their business.

The trap is set by TripAdvisor sending out emails to its reviewers inviting them to apply for the luggage tags as a “gift” – much as police have used prize draws etc. to trap criminals in the United States.  As the scheme is entirely voluntary, it is legal for TripAdvisor to tag its members in this way.

TripAdvisor also takes the gullible reviewer’s email address and home address enabling them to further punish them with spam.

More Fun on TripAdvisor’s Facebook Page

TripAdvisor on Facebook

TripAdvisor on Facebook loves posting photos and asking questions the answers to which it then ignores – it’s a good filler that takes very little effort on their part.

In general the answers are tripe, but once in a while you get a little gem like this one from Arnold Layne 🙂

Idiots on TripAdvisor

Further proof that TripAdvisor staff and policies are just as stupid as some of their reviewers.

Here’s a “Terrible” review for “Le Tasting Room Wine Tours” – a company that specialises in taking people on wine tours in the Loire Valley.  http://bit.ly/MroElK

Although TripAdvisor groups this tour company under “wineries” anyone who takes five seconds to read the company description will realise immediately that it is a wine tour company, not a winery or vineyard. “1-3 day Loire wine tours led by experienced English trade professionals.  Discover the diversity of Loire valley wines, visit wineries and vineyards… ”  The classification as a winery is a vagary of TripAdvisor, not the tour company’s fault.

“Le Tasting Room WINE TOURS” – the clue is in the name!

However, this reviewer decided that Le Tasting Room is actually a winery and set off to find out where their “vineyard” was located using a GPS – they didn’t bother trying to telephone or email, just drove around the French countryside looking for a non-existent vineyard.

Then when they couldn’t find a vineyard (surprise, surprise) they wrote a snotty TripAdvisor review in order to ruin an otherwise perfect review record for the hapless tour company.

To make matters even worse, TripAdvisor’s ludicrous response to this when the owner points out the reviewer’s mistake is to say that the review must stand because “The reviewer is entitled to their opinion”.

What a farce.  Can anyone give TripAdvisor an injection of common sense and fairness, please?

TripAdvisor promises more visibility for villages – maybe?

TripAdvisor changes give more visibility for villages – or do they?

The Tripadvisor4Biz blog recently said that businesses in small villages that are related to nearby towns can also appear under the town, if they can provide proof that the village is recognised as part of the municipality.

http://tripadvisor4biz.wordpress.com/2012/06/14/more-visibility-for-villages-in-tripadvisor-search-results/#comment-376

Where a small village is commonly recognized as belonging to a larger municipality with a distinct name, the businesses in that small village may appear in search results for both (a) the small village and (b) the larger municipality.

If your business is located in a small town or village that belongs to a larger, better known city or municipality, you may contact TripAdvisor through your Management Center to request that we update your location to reflect this. You must provide TripAdvisor with proof of location: a copy of your business license or tax bill, or a link to a page on your local tourist board’s website that recognizes your smaller location as part of the larger location.

However, the person dealing with locations at TA appeared unaware of this when I contacted TripAdvisor via our Management Centre with the proof outlined in the blog.  Instead of accepting or explaining why our request was refused, she gave the same old reply about listings having to appear under their exact location.

Hello,

Thank you for contacting TripAdvisor.

In order to provide the most accurate information possible to travelers, we strive to list all of our accommodations, restaurants and attractions in the actual physical footprint, so we cannot move any listings to a different town than where they are physically located.

Additionally, it is our policy to place a listing in the most specific destination possible.

As your property is not actually located in Alencon, I’m sorry but we can’t place your listing there.

You can read more about our location policy here: http://www.tripadvisor.com/help/i_am_listed_in_an_small_town_can_i_be_moved_to_the_listings_of_a_nearby_more_well_known_city

Our managers have been working on ways to better show “nearby” accommodations.  A recent implementation shows “Recommended nearby hotels and B&Bs” when a location has fewer than 10 hotels or B&Bs.

Example:  There is one hotel and one B&B listed in Holywell, Wales.  http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g609080-Holywell_Flintshire_North_Wales_Wales-Hotels.html#T_CAT_HOTEL_MOTEL

Beneath those listings you’ll now see a map, then “Recommended nearby hotels and B&Bs”, which include listings in the surrounding area.  There is also now a “Nearby Cities” selector at the top of the page so that users can select specific nearby locations from a list (Axton, Caerwys, Carmel, etc.)

Additional features are being considered for possible future implementation.

Best regards,

Jeannine

TripAdvisor Listing Support

I replied to her message two days ago asking for clarification about the change announced on the blog and once more including both our business certificate for the town concerned and links showing that rentals and B&Bs in our village are included under the town Tourist Office website, but got no reply.

I’ve also posted a comment on the TripAdvisor4Biz blog to ask for clarification and got no reply.

I’ve also posted on TA’s Facebook Page and got no reply.

It may be that this particular request was refused for legitimate reasons not explained in the blog article – because the proofs were inadequate or because the village/town relationship failed some other criteria – but in that case could not someone at TripAdvisor explain and why did the person dealing appear ignorant of the changes?

TripAdvisor on Facebook

Despite not really caring about the great, unwashed travelling public and not wanting to interact with them, TripAdvisor has thrust its fat corporate finger into “social media” via Twitter and Facebook and posts a never-ending stream of pictures inviting comments.  And of course, it gets replies in their hundreds, mostly from morons who don’t realise that nobody at TripAdvisor is ever going to read or react to what they post.

However, there is an upside to TripAdvisor’s transparently non-social use of Facebook and patent lack of engagement.

Occasionally they post a picture which allows us to have a little fun at TripAdvisor’s expense, knowing that they’ll never read it.  Here’s one recent example:

Having Fun with TripAdvisor on Facebook

#Google Places – Anonymous Review Abuse

Google Places Review Abuse

As TripAdvisor is the dominant ratings sytem for hotels and restaurants etc., I make no excuses for concentrating this blog on that website.

However, anyone in the travel and lodging business with a listing on Google Places should not have failed to notice that the search engine giant also has its own ratings system.  Normally some competition for TripAdvisor might be regarded as a “good thing” to encourage improvement – but unfortunately that is not the case here.

The Google system is woefully inadequate, with nothing to stop anyone from posting hundreds of fake reviews in a single day if they want to.  And I am not exaggerating.  Here is one example that came to my attention simply because my own Places listing was one of those reviewed by this anonymous reviewer – one of over 900 Google Places reviews this individual made in one day in June 2011!  http://bit.ly/KSYlSo

Google says its “mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful”.  Then Google should do something about abuses like this if it wants its fledgling review system to be taken even remotely seriously.

And “Anonyme” needs a good kick up the arse.

Google Places Fake Ratings