Local Search
Google Slaps “Local Search Market”
Google Revamps – Local Search Market Algorithm
Recently, there was a big change in the local search market that some marketers saw coming a mile away. You see… when Google introduced Google Places it was the first sign that something new was in the boiling pot for local businesses, and perhaps something better. From that point forward, the market waited patiently, for no one knew exactly what to expect, but everyone prepared for the worst.
Shortly after, marketers began to receive stats in their email about ad views and CTR (click-through-rates). Something that Google had never done in the past. This is when people really began to take notice as anticipation warmed the market.
Then it happened… The Google Slap for Local Search Market.
At first, things were discombobulated — not with Google, with marketers — but when the dust settled, the “Knock Out” punch delivered by Google opened the doors to opportunity like never before. All the black-hat techniques that were letting anyone rank easily were completely obliterated.
The days of stuffing keywords in the title of your listing had finally aligned with the world of universal search. Things like buying fake reviews to show activity and creating bogus categories would be no more. The world of “Local Search” would be reconstructed for the best.
Finally, the garbage was being disposed, and the doors were re-opening for real marketers to make their stand.
Now… let’s fast forward to today’s Google Places (Local Search Market).
If you made it through the storm — the change of the local algorithm — then good for you. That means you were doing things right from the start, and if you continue to operate with white-hat techniques you’ll never have to fear “The Google Slap”. On the hand, if you recently lost your rankings and your account is temporarily suspended, then here’s what you should do.
- Read the Google Places editorial guidelines for local search market. This will cover any mishaps within your listing.
Make sure your Business Name in the title of your listing is the actual name of your business.
Check the information across the internet and in other local directories to make sure it’s constant with your Google Places listing. The common acronym used to aid in the process of being consistent across networks and directories is N.A.P. (Name, Address, & Phone).
Make sure you are using a real local number (no toll-free #s, redirect #s, answering services, etc.). If you have a business number registered with your local phone directory, then you’ll definitely get an added boost with Google Maps.
Check your categories in your listing to see if you are in compliance with Google terms. Categories are great for getting increase exposure, and can make or break a Maps Listing; so be extra careful in your category selection.
Follow the “Check List” Google has put in the listing to help people play within the guidelines.
Read the editorial guidelines again.
Then re-submit your listing to Google Places.
Hopefully, this brings you up to speed, and keeps your listing out the sandbox. For information, on staying current with the local market, feel free to subscribe to the RSS Feed or join the mailing list; and if this internet stuff seems to difficult give a shout out to our marketing team. We can help!
Topic: Local Search Market Algorithm
Optimizing Your Site For Local Search
Optimizing Your Site For Local Search – Hidden Tactics
When optimizing your site for local search certain on-site factors dramatically increase your ability to outrank the competition, so continue reading to discover the basic necessities every GEO-Targeted Website should include to enhance search engine and human readability and find-ability.
O.k… before you go ballistic thinking this is technical geeky stuff that only advanced SEO Experts can perform in their sleep, let me explain what local site optimization is and what steps you should take to gain local recognition; because optimizing your site for local search is extremely easy to implement and has nothing to do with your typical Search Engine Optimization jargon.
For starters, optimizing your site for local search or on-page optimization is not the same as optimizing your business listing for local search. Both are interdependent of each other, however, on-site means exactly that, things you can do on your website to enhance your local attractiveness.
Now… considering your site is already optimized for the search engines with the normal on-page SEO strategies (e.g. title tags, meta tags, H1 tags, alt tags, etc.), whether you optimized it yourself or hired a Search Engine Marketing firm, here are a few quick fixes that will supercharge your site for local search.
Optimizing Your Site For Local Search: Sneaky Tricks
I know these sneaky little tactics sound simple — right! Well… I hate to ruin your day, but they are simple. If you follow these basic fundamental practices you’ll have a site well optimized for local search.
I hope this was helpful, if so, feel free to sign up for my RSS feed or follow me on twitter for more exciting information like this.
