LOC@L SEO GUIDE

It’s pretty clear that Google Search Plus Your World – Boy that sounds like something out of a sci-fi novel where some machine has taken over and is breeding humans for advertisers (never happen right?) – could radically alter the SERPs for queries that match up with content with strong social signals in your network [...]

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Since Google Places started adding more photos to Place Pages I have been noticing a fair amount of wackiness.  So the tip of the day is to check your Place Page and make sure the photos are to your liking.  As Mike Blumenthal found things can go from Rated G to Rated X in no [...]

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A frustrated practitioner of bail bonds SEO laments about Google Places, Where Crooked Businesses Take Over: “Here’s another great example of the wonder of Google Places and Google’s dealings with Local Search. Type in Google, “Santa Clarita Bail Bonds.” (this example could be done for many other keywords if you care to try) You will see [...]

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The NY Times reports on the epidemic of open businesses that are reported as “closed” in Google Places and name checks Linda Buquet and Mike Blumenthal, who successfully changed the Googleplex’s Place Page status to “closed” a few weeks ago (SEO Badass award goes to you Mike). Howard Lerman, CEO of Yext, sees an opportunity [...]

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With Google rolling out it’s “new and improved” expanded sitelinks for “brands”, the SEO game just got a bit trickier, particularly for local queries. Here’s what you get when searching for some pig feet + foie gras heaven at Au Pied De Cochon: Some observations: If you rely on queries for business names to generate [...]

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Mike Blumenthal dissects Google Places’ latest redesign: According to Mike: “They include a strong call to action (review, upload photos) and clear sense of priorities as to what is important going forward – even coupons now have a higher visibility - more user generated content, more understanding of your social circles intent and a greater desire, [...]

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I haven’t pontificated on last week’s changes that removed most of the third party data from displaying on Google Place Pages – I basically agree with David Mihm’s assessment of the situation – this is an interface update, not an algorithm update. This article by FT.com implies that Google removed 3rd party reviews from Place [...]

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Phil Rozek has a great post on The 1st Annual Google Places Freakshow: “Whatever your ranking, I suggest you pay attention to how your Google listing comes across at a gut level.  Ask friends, family, or customers who haven’t seen it to take a look and give you their first impressions.  You’ll ensure that YOUR [...]

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Justin Sanger, CEO of JoinHere, an interesting new SMB “Social Engagement Platform”,  puts it thus: “A G+ and G Places integration will create the most powerful discovery, publishing, and social suite the marketplace has seen to date. The G maps algo will undergo more change as content contribution, followers, and +1s begin to affect discovery – [...]

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My first spotting of a Google Place Page – actually a link to a Place Page – in Google Plus.  According to Greg and Mike, Jeff Huber, GOOG’s head of Local, said SMBs will eventually have G+ profile pages.

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