Inspired by John Battele’s scoring of his 2010 predictions I figured I’d see how I did with my 2010 Local SEO Predictions:
- The Open Source Yellow Pages Will Emerge
Let’s see – Citysearch turned into CityGrid and is now supplying yellow pages data/ads to anyone who wants it. YPG launched its Yellow API strategy. A slew of Local Search APIs came out. I could go on, but let’s just call it a +1 - (It’s All About) GOOGLE
The launch of the new Place SERPs would be enough to put this one into the “win” column. But what about Google Hotpot, Google Boost, Google Tags, Google shutting down Adwords resellers. And how about trying to buy Groupon? +1 with a bullet - What’s Your Demand Media Strategy?
All I can tell you is one of the most common questions I get from clients is “how can we do something like Demand Media?” +1
- YPs Will Launch More Niche Guides Online
I haven’t really kept track of this one. DexKnows launched a home improvement guide, but that’s not enough to qualify as a trend. I’ll give it a push. - Invasion of the Lame Local Games
You can dispute the “lame” part, but 2010 was pretty much the year when anyone in local inserted the words “game mechanics” into their pitch decks. I even got it right that Zynga would launch something with a local bent like Cityville. +1 with a Nostrodomus badge
- AdSense for Local
CityGrid, Chitika, PaperG, Yext Tags, iPromote and probably others. +1 - Reputation Management Wars
I can’t even keep track of how many of these suckers there are. +1 - SMB SEO Budgets Will Increase Dramatically
I am seeing it. Are you? +1 - GLBC Will Institute an Agency of Record User
Wrong! Maybe this year guys? -1 - M&A Activity in Local Search Will Take Off
Maybe the frenzy I was predicting hasn’t taken off, but the Groupon deal alone should be enough. What the hell – I’ll give it a push
- SEO Consultants Will Become Better Known as Marketers
Maybe wishful thinking, but correct me if I am wrong, but the number of companies that are treating SEO as a core component of marketing and relying on the search perspective to inform other marketing channels. I am giving myself a +1 because it’s my blog and I can.
So there you have it: 8 wins, 2 pushes and 1 loss. I’ll take it.
2011 predictions coming up soon.
17 Response Comments
Amazing. Almost as successful as Sarah Palin’s endorsements in November. Can you see Russia from the front porch of the Local SEO dojo?
You betcha
Many people who do SEO work talk in theory and rarely will talk about exact clients and what they did for them. They will usually say its due to some confidentially bullshit or NDA. Funny… Every reputable SEO company I know of has a plethora of clients with real examples.
whatchoo talkin’ bout comment spamming Willis?
Thanks for sharing.
Just curious though, but your post was inspired by John Battele’s scoring, but were Rand Fishkin’s also inspired by Battele’s or yours or what came first, the chicken or the egg?
Seriously, looks like rand did his on the 23rd of dec, john on the 27th and here yours are a week later. So, maybe Rand was the egg? No sure, but I immediately thought of Rand’s posting after accidentally running into your post here doing a little “local seo” research.
Btw, I thought the little post about the auto shop experience with you and I think it’s David Mihm was entertaining. Don’t know how I ran over that post, but you’re right that some businesses are ignorant at times. On the flip side, sometimes people have bad days and just lash out. I guess he just lashed out at the wrong person that day 😉
Nice article. Seo for life
Brandon,
I have been doing Local SEO Predictions for several years now so if Rand is the egg then perhaps I might be the foreplay that leads to the egg
Ha, ha..perhaps.
🙂
How do you go about answering, “How can we do something like Demand Media?”?
Oh that’s an easy one. I pull out my Rube Goldberg powerpoint chart.
Hope at least some of the predictions will come true.
What about your prediction that you’d see Cousin It this year? I’d say you won that one too…
That was on my personal blog http://visionariesandvoices.wordpress.com/2010/11/05/joe-with-cousin-it-beard/
Thanks for sharing.. last there was a huge change in search results because of google prioritizing location
Before anything else, it is very important to decide which SEO company you should work with in order to ensure that you are getting the type of help, support and assistance that you need for your online business to succeed.
Very well written blog post! I’ve been in seo for a few years and agree with what you said here. SEO is still the best for local business.
All the best
GRR! You keep deleting my thoughtful comments that are in correct English and are perfect examples of a well-masked attempt at gaining a backlink.