What is the data flow from the customer’s database to Google?

How data get updated from customer's database to Localistico and published on Google.

1. The customer updates the database. A customer is responsible for updating the data in their database. When store details change, it is essential for the customer to follow their internal process to make these updates. Adhering to the format specified in the Localistico integration documentation is crucial to avoid any potential issues. If a change in format is necessary, please contact support@localistico.com at least 7 business days in advance.
2. The data update becomes available in the customer’s API. This applies only to customers with API connections. The information available through the API is the customer's responsibility.
3. Localistico retrieves the available data from the customer’s API and formats it according to the rules outlined in the integration specification. While executing this process is the responsibility of Localistico, any issues arising from incorrect data formatting are the responsibility of the customer.
4. The Localistico importer will upload the data to Localistico. If any locations contain data in an incorrect format, the customer will receive an automatic email notifying them of the issue. It is the customer’s responsibility to review the potential errors and correct them in the database.
5. Localistico publishes data to Google using the Google API. If any data is invalid, the publication will fail in Localistico, accompanied by an error message. It is the customer's responsibility to regularly check for failed publications and address any potential errors. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out for help and guidance at support@localistico.com. Any potential problems with Google API are responsibility of Google.
6. Google My Business receives the submitted data, processes it according to their guidelines, and reviews the changes. This review can take anywhere from a few minutes to 30 days. If the review process exceeds this timeframe, customers should report the issue to Google My Business support. Customers whose support plans include platform assistance from Localistico can also contact support@localistico.com, and the Localistico support team will report the case on their behalf.
7. Google My Business publishes the data on Google Maps and Google Search. Any discrepancies in data between Google My Business and Google Maps or Search are the responsibility of both Google and the customer. Customers should report these issues to Google My Business support. Those with support plans that include assistance from Localistico can also contact support@localistico.com. The Localistico support team will then report the issue on their behalf.
8. Google Maps and Google Search apply the changes according to their criteria. Any discrepancies in data between Google My Business and Google Maps or Search are the responsibility of both Google and the customer. Customers should report these issues to Google My Business support. Those with support plans that include assistance from Localistico can also contact support@localistico.com. The Localistico support team will then report the issue on their behalf.

Please be aware that Localistico is solely responsible for the actions outlined in the orange boxes. The actions in the grey boxes are the customer's responsibility, while those in the blue boxes belong to Google. This also applies to other platforms, such as Bing, Apple, and Facebook.

How can you identify where the issue lies?

1. Is the data at Localistico accurate?

If your answer is YES

1. Check the next step.

If your answer is NO, check these steps: 

1. Please verify your database to ensure that the update has been completed correctly. Double-check that the format is following the Localistico data integration specification.
2. In case there is an API connection used between the database and Localistico, verify that it is working and that the data is accurately displayed in the API. Note that this requirement does not apply to all customers.
3. When was the edit made in your database and when the database synchronises with Localistico? You can normally find this in your data integration specification. Please note that the edits must be made before in your database and be visible on your API prior to the time that the synchronisation happens.
4. Contact support@localistico.com providing screenshots of your database and your API with the correct data.

2. Is the data accurate on Google My Business? Note that it is a different platform than Google Maps and Search.

If your answer is YES

1. Check the next step.

If your answer is NO, check these steps:

1. Has the profile been published from Localistico since the last edit? If not publish.
2. Has the publication failed from Localistico to Google? If yes, fix the issue following the instructions.
3. Does the location have any venue warnings in Localistico? If yes, fix the warning following the instructions.
4. Is the profile linked with your venue in Localistico? If not, please link the profile with the venue. 
5. Do you have the credentials added in Localistico to manage the profile? If not, please add the credentials.
6. Are the credentials valid? If not, please follow the instructions.
7. If the information on Google My Business is still incorrect, please reach out to support@localistico.com. Include a link to the location in Localistico, along with screenshots of the incorrect data on Google My Business (not Google Maps or Search). Additionally, please specify what the correct information should be.

3. Is the information on Google Maps or Search inaccurate?

If your answer is YES

1.  Everything should be OK then. 

If your answer is NO, check these steps:

1. Check if the profile on Google My Business is unverified - if yes, please verify it.
2. Check if the profile on Google My Business is marked as duplicate - please follow the instructions here.
3. Check if the profile is disabled or suspended - please follow the instructions. 
4. To check if your edit is still pending review on Google My Business, please wait for the time frame indicated by Google. This usually takes a few minutes to one day, but in some cases, it may take longer. If the review period exceeds the indicated time, please contact Google support. If your support plan includes this service, you can reach out to support@localistico.com, and our support team will assist you. When contacting them, please provide the team with
   1. The link to your Google My Business profile or the profile's store ID, name, and address. 
   2. The link to the venue in Localistico.
   3. Additionally, specify which data is pending review and how long it has been pending.