Beware of Voice Search Registration Scams

Last Updated on: 3rd January 2025, 10:23 am

Quick Update for Small Business Owners – December 18, 2024

Tired of spam calls saying your business isn’t listed on Alexa, Siri, Google Maps, or Apple Maps? You’re not alone! Rob and Dean from SimplyBeFound.com explain why these calls happen, how to spot scams, and how Simply Be Found ensures your business is properly registered across voice search platforms.
What You’ll Learn in This Video:
✅ Why spam calls increase as your SEO improves
✅ How to identify and avoid voice search registration scams
✅ How SimplyBeFound keeps your business visible on Alexa, Siri, Google, and more
✅ Tips to confidently ignore misleading calls Don’t let spam calls confuse you—take control of your local SEO with Simply Be Found!


Voice Search Alert: What Every Small Business Owner Needs to Know Right Now

What’s Happening Now

If you’re getting bombarded with calls about “registering” your business for voice search, you’re not alone. As a small business owner, here’s what you need to know to protect your business and your wallet.

The Scam Calls You’re Getting

You might be hearing things like:

• “Your business isn’t showing up on Alexa”
• “You need to register for voice search immediately”
• “Your competitors are taking your spot”
• “This is a limited-time offer”

Important: These are typically scam calls. Your business is likely already visible to voice search through your existing Google Business Profile and other legitimate business listings.

What You Actually Need to Know

1. The Truth About Voice Search “Registration”

• There’s no special “voice search registration” you need to pay for
• Voice assistants like Siri and Alexa pull from existing business listings
• Your Google Business Profile is already doing most of the heavy lifting

2. What Really Matters for Your Business

• Keep your Google Business Profile updated
• Maintain consistent business information across all platforms
• Respond to customer reviews
• Keep your business hours accurate
• Update your services and products regularly

3. Red Flags to Watch For

• Anyone calling to demand immediate payment
• Companies claiming they represent Google, Apple, or Amazon
• Threats about your business being “unlisted”
• Pressure to sign up for monthly fees

Simple Steps to Protect Your Business

Do This Today:

1. Check Your Google Business Profile
   • Log in and verify your information is current
   • Update any outdated details
   • Add recent photos if you haven’t lately
2. Save Money
   • Don’t pay for “voice search registration”
   • Ignore high-pressure sales calls
   • Focus on maintaining your existing profiles
3. Stay in Control
   • Keep your login information secure
   • Don’t give control of your listings to unknown third parties
   • Save the phone numbers of scammers to block them

Recent Changes That Help You

Google has made it harder for scammers by:

• Preventing unauthorized profile management
• Requiring direct business owner control
• Implementing stricter verification processes

What to Do If You’re Contacted

When You Get That Call:

Say you’ll call back after researching (legitimate companies will be fine with this)



Beware of Voice Search Registration Scams as voice search is becoming increasingly popular, and businesses that are not optimized for voice search are missing out on potential customers. However, there are a number of companies that are scamming businesses by offering to register them for voice search.

Stay calm – no legitimate voice search emergency exists

Don’t provide any business or payment information

Ask for their company details and website

These companies will often claim that they can create new business profiles for businesses that already have one. However, this is against the policies of Google, Apple, Bing, Alexa, and Cortana. Creating new business profiles can lead to confusion for customers and can also damage the business’s reputation. In addition, these companies are often not providing any valuable services. They are simply creating new business profiles that will not rank well in voice search results.

Here are some tips for avoiding scams when hiring a company to help you with voice search registration:

• Do your research. Before you hire any company, be sure to do your research and read reviews. This will help you to avoid companies with a history of scamming businesses.
• Get everything in writing. Once you have chosen a company, be sure to get everything in writing. This includes the terms of service, the fees, and the guarantees.
• Be wary of promises of quick results. There is no such thing as a quick fix for voice search registration. It takes time and effort to optimize your business for voice search.
• One-time registration: Some companies will claim that you only need to register one time and that it will work forever. This is not true. Voice search algorithms are constantly changing, so you need to keep your business profile updated in order to stay visible in voice search results.
• Future monthly fees: Some companies will charge you monthly fees for their voice search registration services. This is not necessary. You can register your business for voice search for free.

Google’s new policies: Google recently released new policies for Google Business Profiles that make it more difficult for scammers to register businesses for voice search.

These policies include but can be viewed directly here or our summarized version here:

• 3rd party management: Third-party managers can no longer claim or manage Google Business Profiles on behalf of businesses.
• Review solicitation: Businesses can no longer solicit reviews from customers.
• Location spam: Businesses can no longer create duplicate or inaccurate Google Business Profiles.
• Spammy content: Businesses can no longer add spammy or irrelevant content to their Google Business Profiles.
• 3rd party management: This policy is designed to protect businesses from fraudulent or misleading activity. It also ensures that businesses have control over their own Google Business Profiles.
• Review solicitation: This policy is designed to prevent businesses from gaming the system and artificially inflating their review ratings. It also helps to ensure that reviews are genuine and reflect the actual experiences of customers.
• Location spam: This policy is designed to prevent businesses from creating duplicate or inaccurate Google Business Profiles. This can be confusing for customers and can also lead to businesses being unfairly penalized in Google’s search results.
• Spammy content: This policy is designed to prevent businesses from adding spammy or irrelevant content to their Google Business Profiles. This can include things like irrelevant keywords, excessive promotional content, or false or misleading information.

Enforcement:–

Google will enforce these policies by reviewing reports of violations and taking appropriate action. This may include removing or suspending Google Business Profiles, issuing warnings, or taking other steps as necessary.

Businesses should:

• Be aware of these new policies and comply with them.
• Review their Google Business Profiles to make sure they are accurate and up-to-date.
• Report any violations of these policies to Google.

These new policies should help to protect businesses from scammers and make it easier for businesses to get their voice search registration done correctly.

Simply Be Found’s Take

If you have any questions about voice search registration, please do not hesitate to contact us. We would be happy to help you avoid scams and get your business registered for voice search the right way. Simply Be Found puts you in complete control and makes it simple at SimplyBeFound.com

Stay safe and informed!

Read the updated article (3/22/2024) here.

Protect Your Business from Voice Search Registration Scams

In the age of voice search, businesses that fail to optimize their online presence risk losing out on a significant number of potential customers. However, amidst the growing demand for voice search optimization services, a wave of unscrupulous companies has emerged, exploiting businesses with deceptive tactics and false promises. Here’s how to identify and avoid these voice search registration scams.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

1. Duplicate Business Profiles: Legitimate companies will not create new business profiles for businesses that already have one. Creating duplicate profiles is against the policies of Google, Apple, Bing, Alexa, and Cortana, and can lead to customer confusion and damage your business’s reputation.
2. Quick Fixes and Guaranteed Results: Voice search optimization is an ongoing process, and there is no such thing as a one-time solution or guaranteed results. Companies that promise immediate success or guaranteed rankings are likely scamming you.
3. One-Time Registration Fees: Voice search registration is a free process, and there is no need to pay a one-time fee for permanent registration. Companies that demand upfront payments for ongoing services are likely misleading you.
4. Future Monthly Fees: Legitimate companies will clearly outline their fees and service packages. If a company tries to pressure you into signing up for a recurring monthly subscription without providing clear details, be cautious.
5. Unrealistic Claims and Misinformation: Scammers often make exaggerated claims about their services, such as guaranteeing top rankings or using proprietary techniques that are not available to the public. Do your research and verify any claims made by a company before engaging their services.

Google’s New Policies to Protect Businesses

Google has recently implemented stricter policies to protect businesses from voice search registration scams. These policies include:

1. Prohibition of Third-Party Management: Businesses must now manage their own Google Business Profiles. Third-party managers are no longer allowed to claim or manage profiles on behalf of businesses.
2. Restrictions on Review Solicitation: Businesses can no longer solicit reviews from customers directly. This helps prevent businesses from artificially inflating their review ratings and ensures that reviews are genuine and reflect actual customer experiences.
3. Crackdown on Location Spam: Businesses are prohibited from creating duplicate or inaccurate Google Business Profiles. This prevents customer confusion and ensures that businesses are not unfairly penalized in Google’s search results.
4. Removal of Spammy Content: Businesses must refrain from adding spammy or irrelevant content to their Google Business Profiles. This includes excessive promotional content, false or misleading information, and irrelevant keywords.

Google’s Enforcement Measures

Google actively enforces these policies by reviewing reports of violations and taking appropriate action. This may include removing or suspending Google Business Profiles, issuing warnings, or taking other necessary steps.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Educate Yourself: Understand the basics of voice search optimization and familiarize yourself with Google’s guidelines for business profiles.
2. Thorough Research: Before hiring any company, conduct thorough research, read reviews, and check their reputation.
3. Written Agreements: Always obtain written agreements that clearly outline the services, fees, and guarantees provided by the company.
4. Be Wary of Pressure Tactics: Don’t succumb to pressure tactics or rushed decisions. Take your time to understand the company’s offerings and ask clarifying questions.
5. Report Violations: If you encounter any company engaging in deceptive or fraudulent practices, report them to Google and relevant authorities.

Simply Be Found’s Approach

At Simply Be Found, we believe in transparency, honesty, and ethical business practices. We empower businesses to take control of their voice search optimization, providing clear guidance and support throughout the process. We offer a range of services tailored to your specific needs and budget, ensuring that your business is optimized for voice search without falling victim to scams.

If you have any questions about voice search registration or need assistance in optimizing your business for voice search, don’t hesitate to contact our team of experts. We’re here to help you navigate the voice search landscape successfully and protect your business from scams.

Update To this article on 1/12/2024

Voice Search Registration: Navigating the Legitimacy and Avoiding Scams

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, voice search has emerged as a pivotal tool for businesses seeking to enhance their online visibility and customer engagement. However, with the rise of this technology, questions like “Is voice search registration legit?” and “Are voice search services genuine?” have become increasingly common. It’s crucial for businesses to understand the nuances of voice search registration, including its legitimacy, costs, and the potential for scams.

Understanding Voice Search Registration

Voice search registration is a process that ensures your business information is accessible through voice-activated systems like Siri, Google Assistant, and others. Contrary to some misleading claims, there’s no specific ‘voice search registration‘ per se. Instead, these services pull data from various sources. For instance, Siri leverages Apple Maps, while Google Assistant uses Google Business Profile. This is where the concept of a voice search activation company comes into play. A legitimate service, like Simply Be Found, doesn’t just offer a one-time registration but integrates your business information across multiple networks, enhancing your visibility.

The Cost and Value Proposition

When considering voice search registration cost, it’s essential to differentiate between genuine services and scams. While some companies might offer this service for free, others may charge a fee. The key is to assess the value provided. A service that lists your business on up to 300 networks, like Simply Be Found, offers substantial visibility, potentially increasing sales and improving your ranking in voice search results. However, be wary of voice search spam calls and companies that make unrealistic promises about instant results or top rankings.

Voice Search Registration Reviews: A Tool for Verification

Before engaging with a voice search registration service, it’s advisable to look up voice search registration reviews. These reviews can provide insights into the experiences of other businesses, helping you discern whether a service is legitimate or a potential voice search scam. Remember, a reputable company will have a track record of satisfied clients and transparent practices.

The Reality of Voice Search Scams

Unfortunately, the digital marketing world is not immune to scams, and voice search is no exception. Some companies exploit the lack of understanding about voice search, offering dubious services that don’t deliver any real value. These voice search scam tactics often include making false claims about exclusive registration processes or guaranteed top rankings. It’s crucial to stay informed and skeptical of offers that sound too good to be true.

Simply Be Found: A Trustworthy Partner

At Simply Be Found, we prioritize the authenticity and effectiveness of our voice search options. We understand that businesses seek reliable and affordable solutions to enhance their online presence. Our process is designed to help local businesses achieve their goals in the realm of voice search, without falling prey to scams or misleading offers. We’ve assisted thousands of businesses, ensuring that our voice search services are not only legit but also tailored to the unique needs of each client.

Final Thoughts For This Update

In conclusion, while voice search registration is a legitimate and valuable service for businesses looking to enhance their online presence, it’s crucial to approach it with caution. Avoid falling for scams by doing thorough research, reading reviews, and choosing a reputable service provider like Simply Be Found. Our commitment is to keep voice search registration simple, affordable, and, most importantly, effective, ensuring that your business gains maximum visibility and the opportunity to thrive in the digital world.