No More Google's Keyword Tools. Get Connected To Keyword Planner

It has been published by Barry Schwartz about Google Keyword Tool at seroundtable.com. This is the Google change that the Google Keyword Tool is being replaced by the Google Keyword Planner tool by the next month or so. Google is going to get down the Google Keyword Tool.

Google has introduced a new policy for users to work with Google Keyword Tool as for external, non signed in users, are completely going away.  As per Google, to access any AdWords based keyword tool, you will need to sign up for an AdWords account compulsory.

Here is the warning Google is showing users:

Repeating the main idea again you won't be able to use an AdWords Keyword tool without an AdWords account. This is going to upset some SEOs.

Kindly share your views. Is it going to beneficial or going to create issues?

Important: Do Not Edit New Categories In Google Places Dashboard

Jade Wang Community Manager for Google+ Local announced at Google Business Help thread that if you are getting new categories in your business listings which you have not selected, please do not touch them.

She explained in this regard that there is a bug (don't be surprised) which they are working to fix and if you try to update those categories, it may cause more issues.

In words of Jade:

We've found a technical issue affecting some users that causes a handful of new categories are showing up in Places dashboards. We're working on a fix and will come back with an update when we can. Please do not edit these categories for now while we work on the issue. Please note that these categories do not show on the publicly-available listing.

So local business owners take care and don’t touch those categories at present. However Jade has not yet indicated when it will be good to edit those categories.

More discussion with Jade at Google Business Help.

Process to move with Syncing Google Plus and +Local Pages

It is not necessary that anyone should go with syncing both the pages i.e. Google Plus and +Local Pages, as the significance of syncing / switching over completely to a Google +Local page are still unclear.  Hence I decided to just show the process for merging the pages in case anyone needs it.  So, for those of you still on the fence, perhaps the following before-and-after walkthrough will help you decide whether it’s right for your business to sync yet.

Below are two major points as marked by Mike Blumenthal in his version of this post:

- You must have a +Business page to start this process, if not, create one.
- For a +Business Page to be upgraded, page category must be Local, else it cannot be upgraded.

Pointed Notes on the Process

1. To start with process you must have a Google plus page. It you haven’t already, create a Google Plus Page for your business at plus.google.com, and choose “Local Business” as the type of page.
2. If you haven’t already created/verified a +Local Page, create / verify a traditional +Local Page at google.com/placesforbusiness. (Note: 1 and 2 steps can be done in any order; but make sure they both are done in the same Google 
   account)
3. Visit to your Google Plus Page after signed into your Plus account.
4. Mouse over “Unverified.” With the business name
5. Go through the Verification prompts. Only postcard process.
6. Wait for the postcard to arrive at your business address.
7. Re-visit your Plus page with the same process as in step 3 and step 4.
8. Mouse over “In Progress” and click the Enter Pin button.
9. Enter the PIN that is included in your postcard. This will verify your Google Plus page.

The Initial Verification

I had already set up a generic Plus page for my client business. Here’s an idea of what that page looked like prior to the upgrade of Leavitts Auto Care. Drag mouse over the “Unverified” link. This brings up a verification pop-up window (See Image for the same):

The verification process is pretty straightforward. It just asks for the address verification. Just click “Verify Now”.

Once you are finished with the process, you page will have an message for the mailer sent as

I will be posting more information on this. Keep on checking for more information.

Google+ Page Merge Process in its Beginning Phase

Google has started with its process for the merging of the Google+ Page and Google+ Local Page. The business owner can make request to Google for the merging of the pages at earliest with Google request form.

But before moving further with merging the page, business must follow below mentioned guidelines:

• The business must have verified Google Places Listing for Business and have created a local Google+ page.
• Business must has a storefront and follows the Places quality guidelines.
• In the testing phase, business may run into temporary issues including the inability to respond to reviews.
• For the merging of the business, Google has to be provided with Google+ page link.
• The Google+ page must have Local Business category.

This is the starting of the process and at its beginning; hence no more information can be made on this. But will updated with more information as soon it is released.

Here are the sources for more information of this effect in Google.

Google Product Forum: Upgrade yourGoogle+ Local page early

Mike’s blog: TheG+ Merge Has Started: Google Now Processing Manual Merge Requests

Google Places is now Google+ Local Page

Google has updated the Google places for the business pages. The new Google place is integrated version of Google+ and Google Places. With this Google will be showing the local results associated with Google+.

Read the Official Google Announcement.
If you are confused with Google+ page and local Google+ page, here is the information for you.

1. Google+ page - regular Google+ pages that you manage from your personal Google account. Includes social features (Hangouts, etc.)

1. Local Google+ page - Places pages with a new look and feel, managed via the same account you've always used to manage your Places listings. No social features.

Google+ has created this interface for the users to get the authentic and updated information. With this update Google places will be having few changes in placing reviews and updating business information. Till now business owners have to use the same Places dashboard as they used to to manage their business. Also business profiles on Google+ will be managed from Google+ account only. But as per Vanessa, Google is working on merging both the pages of Google+ Local and Google+ business profiles.
As per Google, now the users must be needed to have a Google+ account to post reviews to the business. This will help in showing authentic reviews from the users. Also the friends will be able to see the business rated in their circles.
Also Google have made a significant change in its rating process. As earlier it used to be 5 ratings for a business. Google has changed it to 3 rating system. For more information on ratings you can visit Google Products Forums. Also Google have adopted the Zagat scoring system (more on that here: http://goo.gl/JO7p1). Now the ratings will be shown as a score for the businesses.
Some other changes I wanted to point out:  

• Your verified Google Places listing will not display a checkmark on Google+ Local. Yes, Google is working on this.

• You can no longer upload videos or use the Post to Place page feature.

• Google’ve adopted the Zagat scoring system (more on that here: http://goo.gl/JO7p1)

• Reviews from Google and Zagat users will live on your local Google+ page and attributed to “A Google User” or “A Zagat user” until the user chooses to attribute their name with the review.

You also don’t have access to all the social features of Google+ — yet. Soon Google’ll make it even easier for business owners to take full advantage of Google+’s social features and manage the listings on Google, especially for those of you who have already verified their Google Place pages.

Hang onto your seats! I predict a wild ride! More info soon.