Duplicate business listings can harm your local SEO, confuse customers, and create inconsistencies across online directories. If you’re using Moz Local to manage your local business listings, it’s crucial to identify and remove duplicate listings for better search rankings and brand credibility.
In this guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of how to find duplicate listings on Moz Local and ensure your business information remains accurate and authoritative.
Why Is It Important to Find Duplicate Listings?
Before we dive into the steps, let’s briefly cover why duplicate listings on Moz Local need immediate attention:
- Confuses Search Engines: Google and other search engines may struggle to determine which listing is accurate, impacting your local SEO.
- Dilutes Ranking Power: Multiple listings can split the ranking potential of your business.
- Inconsistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone): Different details on separate listings can create distrust among potential customers.
- Reduces Customer Experience: Customers might visit outdated locations or call incorrect numbers, leading to frustration.
Now, let’s explore how to find duplicate listings on Moz Local effectively.
Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Duplicate Listings on Moz Local
Step 1: Log Into Your Moz Local Account
- Visit Moz Local.
- Click on the Sign In button in the top-right corner.
- Enter your credentials and log into your account.
Step 2: Select the Business You Want to Check
- Once logged in, go to your Moz Local dashboard.
- Under Listings, find the business you want to manage.
- Click on the business name to access its listing details.
Step 3: Run a Listing Scan
- Navigate to the Check My Listing section.
- Enter your business name and location.
- Moz Local will begin scanning directories for existing listings related to your business.
- The system will highlight any inconsistencies, missing information, and potential duplicate listings.
Step 4: Identify Duplicate Listings
- Once the scan completes, review the Duplicate Suppression Report if available.
- Look for duplicate entries under the same business name but with slight variations in address, phone number, or business category.
- Moz Local will indicate whether the duplicate listings are published, pending, or need correction.
- Cross-check these duplicates by clicking on the links provided.
Step 5: Compare the Duplicate Listings
- Open each duplicate listing in a new tab.
- Compare them carefully for differences in NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number), business categories, and other details.
- Determine which listing contains the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Step 6: Suppress or Merge Duplicate Listings
- If Moz Local Allows Duplicate Suppression:
- Select the duplicate listing you want to suppress.
- Click on the Suppress Duplicate option.
- Confirm the suppression request and wait for Moz to process it.
- If Merging is an Option:
- Some directories allow merging of duplicate listings rather than suppressing them.
- If available, follow Moz Local’s instructions to merge duplicates.
Step 7: Manually Report Duplicates to Moz Support (If Needed)
If you cannot suppress or merge a duplicate listing through Moz Local, you may need to contact Moz support.
- Go to the Moz Help Center.
- Submit a ticket with details about the duplicate listings.
- Attach screenshots or URLs of the duplicate listings.
- Wait for Moz’s response and follow their instructions.
Step 8: Regularly Monitor for New Duplicates
- Set a reminder to check for duplicate listings every few months.
- Use Moz Local’s monitoring features to get alerts on any new listings.
- Keep your business information updated across all directories to prevent further duplicates.
Best Practices to Prevent Duplicate Listings on Moz Local
To avoid duplicate listings in the future, follow these best practices:
- Ensure Accurate NAP Information: Always use the exact same business name, address, and phone number across all directories.
- Claim Your Listings: If your business is listed in multiple places, claim and verify them to prevent unauthorized edits.
- Use Moz Local’s Distribution Feature: Distribute your business details correctly across partner directories.
- Monitor Regularly: Run Moz Local scans frequently to catch and fix duplicate listings early.
Final Thoughts
Finding and removing duplicate listings on Moz Local is crucial for maintaining a strong local SEO presence. By following this step-by-step guide, you can keep your business information accurate, improve search rankings, and enhance customer trust.
Regularly checking for duplicates ensures that your business remains competitive in local search results. Start today by logging into Moz Local and running a scan to identify any duplicate listings!
