Moz Q&A is closed.
After more than 13 years, and tens of thousands of questions, Moz Q&A closed on 12th December 2024. Whilst we’re not completely removing the content - many posts will still be possible to view - we have locked both new posts and new replies. More details here.
In the Google search results, the company name (with the drop down arrow) next to the result URL is incorrect. The company being displayed here is a company we acquired many years back. How do I adjust/fix this?
-
When I search any term for my organization, we are getting good results BUT the company name, next to the results URL is of an orgnization we acquired many years back and not the name of our company. The URL is correct page JUST the company name next to this URL is incorrect on the Google search results page.
How do I go about changing so the company name next to the URL ?
-
All good stuff. I must admit I am ignorant around the Open Directory Information and how it impacts Google display Information.
I’ve put in a request with DMOZ. I’ll be adding the meta tag you suggested, and I’ll reach out to our Communications team to see if they have the ability to edit legacy company’s old Wiki page. Fingers crossed.
I’ll continue to dig through the links Patrick provided.
I’m a team of one – so really have no one to bounce ideas off of - it’s great to be able to reach out to people that have some real tangible knowledge. Thanks again and if any other ideas feel free to pass them along.
-
And I forgot to specifically say that I would definitely choose to update these if possible, rather than delete them, because they would also be strong signals for your current company name.
-
You request an update in DMOZ, explaining about the change. They are much quicker at updating an entry than at adding a new one. (I know, because I had to do an update myself.) There is also a handy meta tag you can use on your site, , which tells robots not to use Open Directory information.
For Wikipedia, if you know a friendly editor you can ask them to make the change, or else you can request an edit on the company talk page.
-
Hi there
You can take a look at Wikipedia's editing capabilities and see if you can update the company URL, as well as blurb about the company being purchased by your company.
Not sure about DMoz - but that could take some time, but I would keep it - any thoughts Linda?
-
Thank you both!
Linda, yes the 'legacy company' is still in listed in Wikipedia and DMOZ. What would the best course of action be, attempting to delete those profiles? Update them? I know both have stringent rules, why i ask.
-
^ Yes! Great idea Linda!
-
Along with Patrick's great ideas, take a look at Wikipedia and DMOZ (Open Directory Project). Is the old company listed in either of those? Sometimes signals from those sites can be very strong.
-
Hey again!
Thanks for the information - does any old company profiles still exist? If so, can you gain access to those profiles to shut them down, update, or delete them?
What could be happening is that those profile URLs could be redirecting and somehow signaling that that company name is still associated.
Or, there may be some tagging in your code on your site that is referencing the old company and somehow translating to the Knowledge Graph.
Lastly, I would check your local SEO and citations to see if listings still have references to that URL and company. You can let these services know "Hey, this is ______ now and not _____ company." You can run your business through the Moz Local Check Listing and see what they find too.
Let me know if I can be of any more service! Good luck!
-
Thanks Patrick for the response and the helpful links, much appreciated.
Really strange, as our site has been live for just over three years and gets over 150,000 visits a month. I give that context, to highlight that the site is not new and has some traction.
The company we acquired - which is appearing in the display - site was shut down over two years ago, their old domain redirects to ours now. We’ve done this with several other companies we’ve acquired as well. I'm not sure why this one is percolating to the surface and showing in our results.
I’ll read away, the information you sent and hopefully can find a nugget. Thanks again.
-
Hi there
This is a matter of connecting profiles to your site, having a well thought information architecture, and other factors for Google to attach the URL to your website. It's based on the Knowledge Graph.
I would read the following: More information about websites to help you find the right result (Google)
How to Get Search Traffic from Google’s Knowledge Graph (QuickSprout)
Link your brand page to your website (Google)
7 Ways to Make Your Google Search Result Stand Out (SEW)
Changing URLs in search results (Yoast)
Schema.org Structured Data (Moz)
Sitelinks Search Box (Google Developers)Make sure your company profiles are properly connected and related to your new website. I would read the above information as a "checklist" to make sure you have your bases covered.
Hope this all helps! Good luck!
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Should our rebranded company update our existing Instagram profile or delete it and start from scratch?
Our company just did a complete rebrand with a new name and logo. Instagram allows us to change our name, username, logo, and information, unlike Facebook, but there isn't a lot of online content about whether or not that's the best route. Any thoughts?
Branding | | RyanHeffernon0 -
Avoid Keyword in New Domain Name?
We are looking to rebrand our domain name. Our existing domain is www.nyc-officespace-leader.com. We own www.metro-manhattan.com and were hoping to use this domain. The company name is Metro Manhattan Office Space, Inc. Is the fact that the new domain contains "Manhattan" a negative? I know that the fact that it has a hyphen is weak. Manhattan is part of such keywords as "Manhattan office space". Regarding the company name, is the fact that it contains the target phrase "Manhattan office space" bad? Our company name may sound like exact match anchor text and I am not sure what to do about this if anything. I would really prefer to keep our name but it is necessary to change it to improve SEO we will do so. Would it be better to change to a new name like "Integrity Real Estate" which does not contain target phrases or keywords ("real estate" is not a major target phrase as it is to generic) ? Or how something like www.mmos.com for the domain and leave the company name alone? How would I go about finding a company that would assist is in creating an SEO friendly domain name and perhaps a new corporate name if necessary? Thanks, Alan
Branding | | Kingalan10 -
Is there Schema Markup for "brand name"?
Hi Mozzers, I've been trying desperately for months to get my domain to rank #1 for its brand name in Google. This is made hard by the fact that the brand name is also a combination of two keywords, one of them being "Hire". I've actioned everything I can think of, setting up and maintaining social networks (including g+), adding the site to lots of high quality business directories, internal and external linking. I even asked right here. The site continuously rises in the ranks until it hits top of page 2 and then starts falling again. When searching [Brand name] +[Town of HQ] we get the open graph info displayed, and the g+ pin, but still only rank 3rd! My Question: Is there a schema.org markup for brand names? and would it make any difference adding this? I feel like I'm clutching at straws now... Oh were in the UK if that helps. I'd also be happy to share the domain via PM if anyone is willing to help!
Branding | | Silkstream0 -
Should I remove spaces from my brand name?
I'm looking for some second opinions on this one. In talking with another SEO, he is of the opinion that if my company name is two words like Crazy Man, I should write some news release that have my brand combined as Crazyman because it is a variant of the brand name. He claims that Google does not look at my brand as Crazy Man, but as one word and in Google's mind Crazyman as one word is my brand. What do you all think?
Branding | | kadesmith1 -
Domain name with a hyphen
I am looking at starting a brand new website and purchasing a domain to see my hair product. My question is that domain i am wanting to purchase if a 2 word .com domain but it is not being currently used and it is up for auction for 10K. I am looking a purchasing a domain name that is the same 2 words but a has a hyphen between the 2 works. My assumption is that if I start building content, concentrating on seo (keywords, link building, etc) and brand building that I should not have any problems with my hyphen in the domain. I am looking for feedback and insight from the SEO professionals! Thank you guys in advance. UPDATED 1-29-13 Here is the scenario and I am looking on how you would handle it. **name = my brand name I am looking to purchase a domain within the year: namehair.com I currently am using: namehairbrand.com I have purchased: name-hair.com My concern is if I began my SEO efforts and the brand grows extensively then the person who owns "namehair.com" will raise the price even more than the current price of 10k. I plan on purchasing that domain name within the next 18 months or so and then direct the traffic to the domain "namehair.com". If I put all my efforts into "namehairbrand.com" and then submit to Google that I have changed domains - will I get my butt kicked by Google? Thank you guys - you are really helpful!
Branding | | dsmolinski0 -
Changing a "city" or "town" location in google maps
Hello Mozinators! I have a client I currently work with doing SEO that has a rare problem that I have not come across before nor have I been able to find any information on how to make changes for it. The problem being that the city/township is more of a community that has yet to officially be labeled as a city, yet is still marked as a town on google maps. This is a great step in the right direction however the google maps location is over the wrong place. I have attached screenshots of the google maps for this location. In the top is a place called "Lakewood Ranch" and it is not in the correct spot. Lakewood Ranch should instead be in the bottom corner of the overview screenshot, where the town center is and the medical center off of the "University PKWY" exit. I have absolutely no idea on where to start to get these changes put in place, nor if they can even be put in place. Please let me know! Thank you so much in advance! a86TM.png u1ipV.png
Branding | | jbster130 -
Dental Office With Two Locations And Same Practice Name
Dentists buy other practices all the time. Sometimes they change the name of the practice and other times they keep the name. I am working with a dentist on a new website because their old one is riddled with flash (and is ugly too) She has two practices but they have the same practice name. One of them caters to half English speaking and half Spanish speaking patients. I'm thinking I should create a separate website for each practice mainly because we may want to design the graphics and text for the appropriate patient language probably with a English/Spanish translation button on the website? For localization, wouldn't it be better to have a url for each physical site? Suggestions?
Branding | | Czubmeister0 -
Twitter Account names for Fictional Characters
I'm consulting for a web series that features ~6 well established characters, and I would like to establish a twitter stream for each character before the start of the new season in a few months. The characters all have first names but no last name, and the web series's name (Naked In A Fishbowl) is too long, and the acronym NIAF is not well-branded yet. What would be the best way to pick Twitter handles for cast members (BonnieNIAF, Jean NIAF? BonnieFishbowl? Bonnie_NIAF?)
Branding | | EthanStanislawski0