Mike Blumenthal reports Google is now verifying "edits" made by users to a listing with the business owner, when possible.
This is a good thing, because there are times when competitors may want to hurt you by maybe changing your address, phone number or close your business.
A Google Places Help thread has one or two people stating they received an email from Google about verifying an edit made by a user. The person said he received an email from Google stating "problem with your listing". It said someone suggested they remove his URL and change other information.
Mike posted an email he received from Google, it read:
Please review your listing Hello from Google Places,To help people searching for businesses like yours, Google is always working to improve the accuracy of local business listings. While reviewing your Places listing for Sundahl & Co Insurance, we found that this business may be permanently closed.
Is this place closed?
Sundahl & Co Insurance 58 Derrick Rd. Bradford PA 16701 United States
Please log in to your Places account and let us know if this business is still open. If we don�t hear from you before January 31, 2011, we may remove this listing.
Thank you,
The Google Places Team
I like the idea of Google verifying edits with owners when possible.
Forum discussion at Google Places Help.