I got excited when Googlebase came out. I thought there may actually be a way for us to bulk-load Google Maps with accurate information about our office locations (suite #, URL, hours)

I do Search Marketing for Franchises with hundreds of locations, so know this is a common need.

But no such luck. The listings (little map flags) on Google Local continue to be shown from a random smattering of oft-inaccurate listings that link to sites that have nothing to do with our facility (e.g. advertising sites, yellow page listings covered with ads.) Whatever Google wants.

Customers looking this stuff up on the map do not want that. They want to find and get to that location on Google Local, and after bringing up the location pop-up information, they want to click and get to an official site.

Doesn't this make sense?

So did I miss something?

Is there a way that I'm not aware of to get your locations database fed to Google Local as an "authority?"

PS: Yes, I've done a bulk-upload to Googlebase successfully and given it months.

I assume you're in the US. If so then you can use Google's Local Business Center (https://www.google.com/local/add/login). It's associated with Froogle.

One day Google may remember that the rest of the world use an address structure not unlike the States!

I had high hopes after seeing that link on Google Local, but alas, despite going through this process over and again, my listings have never taken away the incorrect (unauthorized) listings.

What I had expected....

Given the information on Google Local:

"You have full control over your listing. With Google Local, you don't have to worry about publishing deadlines or outdated content. After we initially verify your address, you can edit your listing whenever you like. You'll see your changes reflected in the search results within six weeks. "

I wondered how they'd do this with Googlebase bulk uploads, and as far as I can tell, they don't. Most of my clients have operations folks who could keep the data accurate, but if I can't show them a method to upload that works, there's no point!