I have been trying for several months to figure out how Overture wants me to update my location description on Local Match, and it seems to me that their determination of what is acceptable is really arbitrary.

My business is web design and internet marketing, focusing on local area clients. I have a real office on which I pay rent, and to which clients may come. I have tried placing several almost identical descriptions for my business, and sometimes Overture declines the description because they find it describes "an online product or service," while at other times they find no such problem, with essentially the same description. Which is it, guys?

Another problem is that frequently, when I try to update my location description, I get it declined on the basis of "duplicate location" (which it isn't) or today's new one: "other location." (which it isn't).

My latest listing was declined for both of these reasons, neither of which seems valid. Anyone else encountering this arbitrary nonsense?

Sounds like their editors haven't nailed down how they define "online business" - it should of course be "you can only buy online" not "a service that helps (local) companies get online / use the Internet for business". In fact my definition works for me as good as anything.

It is still early days for Local Match - have you emailed / phoned them to explain?

Hopefully OvertureRep will read this - he might be able to clarify this...can a Mod point him this way maybe?

Sounds like their editors haven't nailed down how they define "online business" - it should of course be "you can only buy online" not "a service that helps (local) companies get online / use the Internet for business".

That's a good definition, Keyword Monkey, and I wish they'd apply it. I did indeed communicate with them, and they simply stuck to their guns and their ridiculous definition. As a result, even though I have a "real" local business, I have been forced to water down the description of my services and no doubt lose customers.

I am allowed to say that I design websites, but I am not allowed to list my services that help market those sites, even though, as you say, my services are not "sold online."

Hang on, overture won't let you say you help local businesses market online?

Overture won't let you say you help businesses get national or local customers via the Internet - at a time when they are trying to encourage more local business advertisers?

Conclusion: somebody low down in the chain at Overture is digging their heels in without thinking about the bigger business implications; you could (should) be encouraged to resell their services - not have them chuck officious obstacles up in your way.

Have you tried asking for an Editorial Manager? I.e. somebody who can look at the bigger picture?

Oh..and point them this way too...

That's correct, Keyword Monkey -- O does not allow a local, bricks and mortar consultant to locally market his online marketing consulting services. This is despite the fact that the very existence of my local office is clear proof that I am promoting the local part of my business.

Here is an example of one of my 5 attempted descriptions of my business that were declined by O, on the basis of being an "online product or service":

...CT. based firm, specializing in website design, internet marketing, and website promotion, including search engine optimization. We build websites that deliver traffic

Here is a reason one of their people gave me in an email for the decline:

the reason your listing was declined was because the description includes specific services that can only be delivered online. The inclusion of "internet marketing, and website promotion, including search engine optimization" in the description is the reason for the decline

This gem came from Daniel M. at O customer solutions, supporting a similar decision by Carol R.

In their zeal to make sure that Local Match applies to local products and services, they are preventing me from listing my local services. They fail to see that what I am selling here is NOT an online product, but my consulting services as they pertain to online marketing.

According to Daniel, above, my recommendations for good SEO, for example, "can only be delivered online." Clearly erroneous, but O does not seem to care.