It seems that Google is bringing down the hammer again on some businesses. There are businesses that are receiving emails that state that Google is giving them three weeks to re-verify their listings, or else they will be removed from Google Maps and Google+ Local
Before anybody thinks that these emails may not be legitimate, don’t worry. They have been verified as legit emails sent from Google. In the header of each email, it says, “Action Required: You have 3 weeks to save your Google Places Listing.”
According to Jade Wang from Google, Google is making some changes to both Google Places For Business and Google Maps. Since this is happening, business owners have been asked to review and confirm some of their information in their Google Places accounts.
Due to changes in Google Maps, we’d like to inform you that unless you review and confirm the information in your Google Places account, we will no longer be able to keep and show it to Google users after February 21, 2014.
In a help thread, Jade Wang said that these emails from Google should be taken seriously. The email reads:
As a result, on this date your listing “LISTING GOES HERE” may be deleted.
If you wish to keep your listing active, follow these three easy steps:
1. Log in to your Google Places account
2. Review and update your information
3. Click the “Submit” button
Sincerely,
The Google Places Team
Finally, Jade added:
“If you did receive this email, don’t worry. Please log into Places for Business, take a look at your business information, update it if necessary, and click “Submit.” You’ll need to do this for all listings in your account by February 21, 2014, so they can stay on Google Maps. Otherwise, you’ll need to add your business information and undergo PIN verification using Google Places again.”