How do they go about claiming other people’s business? Do they just say “yeah, I own the pizza parlor on food street 3, Ohio, but send verification to startup avenue 10, Silicon Valley”?
Given Slice owns the (fake official) website, it is instantly verified.
See: https://support.google.com/business/answer/7107242?hl=en
> If you’ve already verified your business’s website with Google Search Console, you may be able to verify your listing instantly.
I didn't know that GMB can be verified only with SearchConsole ownership!
Just kidding. Slice has ad money to spend! They'll get a gentle slap on the wrist.
In other instances where I suggest edits to Google Places, they are accepted almost immediately, since I am a decently-ranked Local Guide.
https://cdn.verticalmeasures.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/...
Has this improved since then?
My understanding of Slice is that they work directly with the pizza shops, so do they have this as a part of their agreement?
Actually, Grubhub did have a relationship with those businesses. I imagine it’s very similar to what’s going on here. The business owners assume signing up with Grubhub/Slice means you get in the app and you pay a fee for those leads, which seems fair enough. What they don’t realize is the agreement also allows them to do any “online marketing” for you and claim any lead they drive you. They interpret that to be permission to outrank you on Google and cannibalize your free leads.
