It appears Google has recently changed its algorithm for Local Business Listings by only giving the top spots to those feeding the search engine’s ever increasing need for content. Keep reading to learn what are Google Local Business Listings, what’s changed recently, as well as how to optimize so your local business is on top of the map.
Google Local Business Listings are different than organic or pay-per-click listings. They typically only show up when the user types a service oriented business followed by the city for their search. A large map from Google Maps appears alongside up to ten URLs with a phone number by each. If you need more than ten listings you can click in “More Results from ‘Insert City’ “ and you’ll be taken to a map with alphabetically lettered red pegs for each register business on Google Maps.
It seems over the last year being listed on Google Maps and/or Google’s Local Business Listings is becoming even more important since they are being displayed more often in search with up to ten listings before organic listings even start.
Changes in Google Local Business Listings’ Algorithm
One client of ours was listed and is still listed under a Local Business Listing for their service, but it seems the listing fell in a short period of time; they went from #2 to #44 out of 3,656. Since many local business owners are seeing the value in these listings and Google makes the submission process much easier to understand than the general ins and outs of SEO, competition is on the rise.
With this recent surprise in dropping, I have decided Google Local Business Listings has its own algorithm. After noticing what the patterns were and what the top listings did, I made some adjustments using the modeling method. Soon after I noticed a huge rise in ranking.
Based on researching and observation, the pattern that presents itself for those that are high on the listings is they have:
1. Photos - They only recently they allowed this. Add as many photos as you can and a company logo.
2. Multiple Reviews - It’s important that these be from real customers. You can not have too many. Don’t fake them either, it’s easy to see. Just as with Amazon, people trust products with lots reviews that have kept above three stars.
3. Use Keywords in Company Description - They offer an area where the business representative can describe what the company offers.
4. Use Keyword s in Company Name - Don’t be deceptive by changing your company name, but if your keywords are in the extended business name or LLC, make sure this is the name in which you register.
5. Add a Coupon – Google allows printable coupons to be added by your listing.
Add these elements to your Google Local Business Listing and you are sure to be in the top ten.
6. Create links to the listing – Add a link from your homepage to the listing and encourage current customers or website visitors to review your company.
7. Add Videos- If your company already has vides on YouTube you can place them right there on the page.
Hi
Nice piece of information. I have posted my website using instruction suggested bby you in Google Local and now waiting for the response I would get.
Thanks
The Google local business center is a different beast all together! I've spent hours looking into this myself. Checking all the common ranking factors like backlinks, keywords, PR, etc.
I think you are correct about it having it's own algorithm and your suggestion of the old "content is king" makes perfect sense.
Neil,
My google Local Business Center page was way behind in rank,I created just May 2009.Even before I read this article. Time to time I add picture, phone number, coupon and link to my business. And after 1 week My rank gone to number 3, that really surprised me but now I understand from your article what really happend. I will be out of job sometime next month and I started my own Computer repair service and I am happy that I am getting regular call now from my local customer.
Thank to you and to Google helping me to earn my bread.
http://pclaptech.com
Now days Google Business Listing play an important role in SEO. By adding proper keyword and details, a website can rank under Google business listing.
Thanks for the informative articles
Thanks....
Really Appreciate..... this article is very helpful to me
Thanks Once Again....
SEO Services Pune India
I got your website address from a friend of mine , he told me that your team is here to help people with there business !! I am actually creating a website so for that i need a blogs on Marketing, telecommunication , mutual fund , stock exchange , shares , security bonds of Govt . So could you please send me the blogs to my email id !!
Except item 6, everything seems to be right... but:
"create links to the listing – Add a link from your homepage to the listing and encourage current customers or website visitors to review your company..."
what exactly you put in the link ? the local listings are usualy dynamic results based on your keyword ?
please explain ?
R
Neil...don't worry about Ren's comment. Everyone likes to play know it all in this game and he is baseless in his assumptions that you are wrong. Fact is...I have 10 listings throughout the US and every one of them are in major metropolitan areas and in major service categories. Each of those accounts were setup with the same guidelines that you propose to be effective in this article..and every one of them has significant if not top placement in their area. I just so happened to search today to see what others had thought about what was causing these type of results...and you are spot on. Keep putting out the great info!
Neil...don't worry about Ren's comment. Everyone likes to play know it all in this game and he is baseless in his assumptions that you are wrong. Fact is...I have 10 listings throughout the US and every one of them are in major metropolitan areas and in major service categories. Each of those accounts were setup with the same guidelines that you propose to be effective in this article..and every one of them has significant if not top placement in their area. I just so happened to search today to see what others had thought about what was causing these type of results...and you are spot on. Keep putting out the great info!
Just an observation and passing comment - I can't tell you how far off base you are on your deciphering Google Map Algos and your ranking tactics. I will however, go so far as to give you a clue, your 0 for 7 in the lead off spot. Your clients would be better served if you kept to your SEO space and those organic ranking strategies.
Ren -
I appreciate your opinion. This post was originally based off of anecdotal evidence of one client and has since been proven through at least a dozen other clients as well. Also, as mentioned in the post, I'm not claiming I have Google's algorithm for map listings. All I am describing are my observations based off of 4 years of SEO/SEM experience. Unless you are trying to "flame" this post or troll this thread, I find it odd you would make such statements ("0 for 7") without offering your own observations or research.
I know consultants get paid to tell people they are wrong, but your argument holds no weight unless you are offering an alternative solution. Anyone using these tips will see an increase in their rankings for Google Local Business Listings. Have you tried any of them yet? Reviews especially hold a lot of weight.
Try typing in Google Local Business Listings on Google and see who comes up #1. We know a thing or two about SEO, SEM, and even localized search.
Regards,
Neil
In addition to the ranking factors, at the very end of the document are the results of 4 questions I asked the panelists regarding search rankings at Google. Since I had the attention of such distinguished folks, I couldn't resist getting a few more valuable answers.
While you can't reply on always reply on being #1 in Google local... (It's a free lunch) it certainly does not hurt to ask your clients to post comments to your Google listing. We did this and received a very favorable response.
If you link your website to your comments page on Google, it might be a good idea to include a 'no-follow' tag in your link code.
See:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=virginia+beach+web+des...
Cheers,
Rick Vidallon
VISIONEFX
Since when did photos get included in the Google algorithm? I'm just now realizing the importance of learning and manipulating Google's constantly-changing algorithm for increased web presence. Along the lines of photo, is video taken into account? We at jippidy.com are trying to take online advertising viral via video, and it's overwhelming how much needs to be done not only for local mom-and-pops to increase their Google rank, but also for startups like ours. Everyone has to play by these rules, and the faster you familiarize yourself with them, the faster you can up your ranking. Thanks for the tips, I'm going to try and incorporate them!
Thx for post. Your post made me think about many things.
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