Ask Jim: Fake Google+ Pages

by Jim November 17, 2011

Question

Today’s question comes from Josh Rowe on Twitter who asked:

Does Google+ allow parody pages?

Answer

If we’re talking about something similar to the fake profiles you can find anywhere across Twitter then the answer is no.

Google+ Pages’ Additional Terms of Service state:

“Any Google+ user may create a Google+ Page, but only users with authority over the subject matter may administer the Google+ Page.”

That means brand pages created by those without the authority to do so will be dealt with in the following way:

“Violations of Google+ Pages Terms may cause your Google+ account to be suspended or your entire Google account to be terminated, depending on the seriousness of the violation.”

Google+ had its first test yesterday with a fake Bank of America Google+ Page that featured unflattering photos of former-CEO Kenneth Lewis and posts such as “Big company party in foreclosed house #2340087 tonight!”. Google have taken the page down, but no word on whether just the creators Google+ page or their entire Google account was shut down.

Bank of America Fake Google+ Account

Either way, it’s not something we advise risking Josh.

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