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 Keywords 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 videos on YouTube you can place them right there on the page.
Additionally you can create “feeder” sites that take your company name and add reviews to the URL. Put up some good content on CompanyNameReviews.com, do some simple SEO and voila, you own another spot on the 1st page of search results.
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I found this to be an informative post. There really is a lot that you can do to increase the potential to rank in the 7 pack and that is where a good Google Maps Optimization company comes in. Creating many of the additional directory submissions that feed google also can be very time consuming.
Anyone can claim their listing but it takes a pro to help you rank in competitive cities and industries.
This is a good start though.
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Yes, this information is very useful. I've been contacted by companies offering to list some Businesses of ours in Google Local for a cost of $1000/yr.
They had a great pitch, but before I sign on the dotted line, I always do my research. By doing so, I've found this article and learned that Google Local was a FREE Service that this company was offering to list us for a Huge FEE....
To view some of your listings, please visit:
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http://priceland.ca/priceland/?p=2081
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One of our Google Local Listings:
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http://www.google.ca/#hl=en&source=hp&q=tanning%2C+chatham&btnG=Google+S...
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I LOVE learning this stuff. We should always continue to educate ourselves and sites like this, help the average consumer in doing so..
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I have been working on SEO for Google Local Business for several months now. My efforts have definitely been working. This article gave me a few tips that I had not thought of.
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This is a very helpful article. I never thought about Google having a separate algorithm for the business listings.
One added not: Many people fail to realize that you can create your own custom category (you can have up to 5 categories), which I believe is often necessary so that your business shows up correctly in the organic searches.
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If Google trusts your web page and can associate that with your local business listing it will help your ranking. Google Maps is now incredibly accurate in listing your business in your city/town regardless of actual service area.
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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.IT is really good post inorder to raise the local business listing rank in Google. now have the information This will me to improve my work standards and gain more clients...Thanks for sharing this information..
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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.
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How would you suggest me to link webpages to the local listing?
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Does it matter how close to the middle of town you are?
it's a little bit trickier. Usually (but not always), the business that will take better care of the customer is the one that takes the time to complete the local business profile as thoroughly as possible. Photos, videos, coupons, links, etc.
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