I previously posted about how Google will never call you. I just want to post a quick update to inform everyone that they now might, but it will be for a specific reason.
Google has long been trying to find a way to monetize the organic and map results. The problem is that they cannot do a pay-for-play scheme because they’ll lose searchers to less corrupt search engines. What they are now doing though is verifying some of the maps listings with a phone call and during that phone call trying to sell you on a $25/month “tag” that can be added to draw attention to your listing.
It’s up to you to decide if that’s worth it, but for the record, they now WILL call you but it will not be to push some sort of ranking product. That will NEVER happen due to conflict of interest problems that would result.