Is Google giving a free pass to franchises
I’ve been watching Google listings of new franchises in the past few years that are in construction trades with lots of policy violations, most notably fake reviews. I’ve reported it and I know many others have as well but Google isn’t taking action against them. It’s really obvious, undeniable policy violations they’re letting them by with. One of these trade franchises is nothing more than a marketing, lead gen type set up and the owners have no experience in the trade. I’ve seen them use Mail Drop locations and USPS presented like it’s a storefront. Consumers looking for local skilled tradesmen have difficulty finding them now because they’ve been displaced by the franchises with deceptive marketing. Comparatively one can look at pictures on these listings and see these real local tradesmen listings are far more skilled than the franchises. If any of these local listings were to do the same activity like fake reviews and fake storefronts, they’d be shut down immediately by Google. It’s looking as though Google is giving a free pass and showing favor to these franchises. I’ve found lawsuits and BBB complaints on these franchises too. This is bad for both consumers and local experienced construction trade businesses. Will they ever make them comply to the same rules that they enforce on the local business listings?