Member Avatar for NeilA

Hello All,
There is a company out there that is claiming to get a client of mine in the top of the local listings...Guaranteed for $500.00. They have convinced my client they are affiliated with google and he is ready to jump ship as I cannot make that claim.

Can anyone shed light on this claim they're making. Thank you all in advance.
Neil

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— claims of "guaranteed top local placement" and "Google affiliation" are red flags. and gave good instincts; add the following practical checks and contract protections before your client pays anything.

  • Get the promise in writing and very specific: exact search phrases, geographic scope, what "top" means (organic, maps, or paid placement), baseline rankings, and the timeframe for delivery.
  • Ask for verifiable proof: contactable case-study references and raw analytics/Search Console exports that you can validate. If they claim an official Google program badge, ask for the partner ID and documentation you can confirm independently.
  • Require a written methods statement and an explicit ban on risky tactics (paid link networks, automated link exchanges, doorway pages, cloaking). If they refuse to describe how they will achieve results, treat that as a warning.
  • Define payment terms tied to measurable milestones, include a refund or clawback clause if targets are not met, and require the vendor to indemnify the client for penalties resulting from their work.
  • Keep client control of all accounts: domain registrar, hosting, Google Business Profile, Google Analytics, and Search Console. Give agencies delegated or manager access only; do not transfer ownership or hand over passwords.

Watch for immediate red flags: large up-front fees with no milestone structure, vague language about "special relationships" with Google, or pressure to hand over credentials. Prefer a short paid trial, escrow, or milestone payments with independent rank/traffic tracking. Save all claims and marketing copy as evidence if you need to escalate to consumer protection or platform abuse teams.

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Member Avatar for MagentoC

Simply discard these types of requests, they may have affiliates sites in which they will place your site to increase the domain visibility, but still it may be risky as some of the sites may be already penalized by google

Member Avatar for Tiggerito

Ask them for details on how they do it.

The "affiliation" maybe that they pay for advertising, which is guaranteed top of listing, until they stop paying.

As they state "local" it could be that they create a Google Places entry. I believe in the US you can also advertise with this and do guarantees, while you are paying.

Some good questions maybe:

  • Is this the top of the organic listing? (as in not adverts)
  • Are you talking about a Google Places entry with advertising?
  • Can we chose the search phrases you will guarantee?
  • How long will the guarantee last. days, weeks, years?

If they are jumping ship for $500 (one off?), you can't be making much from them yourself. maybe let them try and see, they may appreciate you more after.

Or, prompt them with those questions. they will appreciate you if you save them from wasting money.

Member Avatar for 4deewar

Thanks for information. I will contact you as soon as possible.

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