UPDATE: Some of my better-read compatriots have pointed me towards Greg Sterling’s article from April about how Google is using the layout below to appease anti-competition complaints in Europe. So take my theories below as pure entertainment, as it should be. Nick Rink of Smart Local , a UK Local SEO firm, posted a screenshot of this new Google Local SERP this morning on Google+: I can’t find another example of this, or a full SERP screenshot, but I…
Not sure if I am seeing a test or if this is rolling out everywhere but now when I click on the “[#] Google reviews” link for a business from the SERPs, I am seeing a lightbox type of pop up display instead of being sent to the Google Plus Page for the business. Check it out: Here’s the URL that shows the pop-up. Some initial observations: The default view is a list of the 10 most recent reviews with…
On Monday, my SearchEngineLand column will preview the results of a new Google Places Ranking Factors study conducted by Bizible. Aaron Bird, CEO & Night Janitor of Bizible, approached me a month or two ago about the study and I was intrigued by his approach. The study is a scientific complement to David Mihm’s well-known Local Search Ranking Factors survey of know-it-all SEO types. Taken together, the two studies provide a great roadmap for achieving success at local SEO. A couple…
I am guessing this is some sort of glitch, but just saw this double rating result in a search for “auto repair concord”. It appears that the data being displayed comes from AutoVitals.com.
SearchEngineLand just published Google Plus Connections Are The New Link, some thoughts of mine on how local search co’s and SMBs may try to leverage Google Search Plus Your World to improve local SEO. After rereading it, it seems clear that as more and more organic results are deemed to have “local intent”, the only way that Google Plus content stays relevant is for users to have tight local networks. If that doesn’t happen, Google’s own quality algorithm should purge…
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 time flat (NSFW unless you work in the porn or plastic surgery industry). I took a look at mine this morning and it all looks perfectly…
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 in the number one spot in AdWords a listing that has the address, 23740 Magic Mountain Pkwy. This address is actually the Santa Clarita Jail.…
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 for Yext Power Listings to save the day. Ethan Russell, Senior Product Manager for Google Places, decides that perhaps all publicity is not necessarily good publicity…
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 Pages because of potential legal threats from sites like Yelp. This may be, but I am not 100% convinced. After all, there are numerous review…
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 business won’t ever make it into a future Google Places Freak Show.” Kind of reminds me of the curious case of Dr. Robert G. Aycock.