Beware of Misleading Business Listings on Google

As you are very well aware, in today’s digital age, it’s easy for anyone to list a business online, and insurance advisors or brokers are no exception. But what happens when some of these businesses start blurring the lines of transparency and ethics? If you’ve ever seen something like “Super Visa Insurance, Winnipeg,” “Term Life Insurance, Toronto,” or “Critical Illness Insurance, Vancouver” under Google Businesses listings either on Google or on Google Maps or for that matter any other platform, it might raise an eyebrow. These listings seem or try to convey they are the official product itself, which can confuse or mislead consumers.

This practice isn’t limited to just one type of insurance or business. It can be found across the insurance industry and any other, with some brokers naming their business after products like “Health Insurance, Calgary” or “Mortgage Insurance, Ontario.” The strategy is designed to manipulate search results, making consumers think they’re dealing with a large, established company when, in fact, they might be interacting with a small, independent broker or even someone without proper credentials, or even to close the listing and reopen it in another name, if they had enough bad reviews.

In public interest, this blog aims is to shed light on this practice, explain why it’s problematic, and offer tips on how you, as a consumer, can protect yourself.

What’s Really Going On with These Business Listings?

You know, when insurance advisors or brokers use the name of a product like "Super Visa Insurance" or "Disability Insurance" in their Google business name, they are not necessarily doing anything illegal to be honest, but it’s certainly not a good and ethical business practice. Actually, it is against Google or any other platforms' guidelines and policies, but people always find a way to circumvent the system. In the general opinion and common sense, the motive behind this could be simple: to rank higher on Google and other searches and search engines. By naming their business after a popular insurance product, they are essentially trying to trick search engines into thinking that their business is directly tied to that product.

This strategy is all about Search Engine Optimization (SEO) manipulation and trickery. Such entities might think that they have made a smart move in order to get more clients but it can have some serious consequences for consumers.

How such a Practice could be harmful for consumers?

There are several reasons why this approach of naming a business is both unethical and problematic:

Misleading

First and foremost its outright misleading. When you search for “Super Visa Insurance” or “Life Insurance” on Google, you expect to find companies that are offering those products or are reputable providers of such services. By naming their business after the product itself, these brokers are muddying the waters and making it harder for you to distinguish between legitimate providers and someone using deceptive marketing tactics.

Lack of Transparency

Ideally, businesses who are reputable, ethical and legitimate entities, they should always be clear about who they are and what they offer, No? When a business hides behind a generic name like “Super Visa Insurance,” you have no clue who you’re really dealing with. Are they properly licensed? Do they have a history of good customer service? Are they a stable business, or will they disappear when you need to file a claim? This lack of transparency can be a huge red flag.

They May Pop Up and Disappear

With entities or naming convention like this, it is very difficult for a common consumer to figure out who is playing like a fly-by-night operators. You would think, a business that doesn’t even use its real name might not be around for long. They can pop up quickly, attract clients, and then vanish without a trace. If you purchase insurance through one of these shady entities, you might find yourself in a real fix when you have need for support during a claim or a refund.

Potential Legal Issues

While this practice may not always be illegal, it flirts with ethical boundaries. In some cases, it could even violate the terms of use for certain online platforms or local business regulations and it is very difficult to put checks and balances at every step.

More importantly, it damages trust, which is crucial when you’re dealing with something as important as insurance. It could become a matter of life and death for some.

How Can You Protect Yourself?

So how do you avoid falling for these (may be) sketchy listings? Here are some easy tips to keep you safe:

Do Your Homework

If you spot a business name like “Product Name, Winnipeg” or “Product Name, Company Name,” or even file like that this might not be a real business name, take a moment to dig a little deeper. Look for their real company name, check out their website, and read some reviews. If you can’t find much info on who they are or what they’ve done in the past, that’s a major red flag.

Look for Licensing Information

Make sure any insurance brokers or advisors you’re considering are properly licensed. You can usually check this out by visiting your provincial insurance regulator’s website. If you don’t see the business listed or if their license is expired, it’s best to steer clear.

Beware of High-Pressure Sales Tactics

Watch out for those high-pressure sales pitches, MLM marketing, or who try to create peer pressure or urgency. If a business is using tricky names, they might try to rush you into making a quick decision. You might hear stuff like, “act fast, this deal won’t last, or rates are gonna go up!” or they might throw around confusing jargons. Take your time, ask questions, and make sure you feel good about who you’re working with.

Check for Red Flags in Communication

If the person you’re dealing with is dodging your questions about their company name, history, or credentials, that’s definitely a warning sign. A trustworthy business won’t hesitate to share who they are, where are they located, and what they are all about. Please do not hesitate or shy away from asking these questions.

Consult Multiple Sources

Before you make any decisions, it’s smart to get quotes from a few different insurance brokers. This way, you’ll get a clearer picture of the going rates for what you want, and you’ll be able to spot any suspiciously low offers or businesses that raise eyebrows for the wrong reasons. Look for entities with considerable amount of reviews and decent ratings. Read on some of those reviews.

The Bigger Picture: Ethical Business Practices Matter

In any industry built on trust, ethical behavior is a must., don't you think? Misleading business practices like using a product name, hiding their real business name, showing the same business at multiple addresses online (whereas there is only one legal office), etc., to rank higher on Google can erode that trust and create confusion for consumers. Insurance is a long-term commitment, and you want to make sure you are working with a company or broker that will be there for you when it matters most. And even for such entities, this kind of business practice doesn't add much value in the long run.

Conclusion

When it comes to something as important as insurance, finance, health, medical treatment (which are heavy on customer service) transparency and trust are everything. If you come across a business listing that seems suspicious  take a step back and do your research. You know what they say, better late than never, it’s always better to take the time to ensure you’re dealing with a legitimate, trustworthy provider than to find yourself caught up in a confusing and potentially costly situation down the road, that you can't even turn back from.

In short, be cautious of businesses that try to game the system by using misleading tactics. The right insurance provider will offer clear information, proper licensing, and a solid reputational qualities that are far more valuable than a clever name.

Stay informed, ask the right questions, and always keep an eye out for red flags.

*Disclaimer:

The above article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Always consult with a licensed insurance broker or financial advisor before making any decisions regarding insurance coverage.