Google Local Search is something, if a particular keyphrase includes a location, for example “washington widgets”, then a map usually appears with local listings. The thing is:
- These listings are placed above the regular top 10 listings
- These listings are often easier to rank well for than the regular Top 10.
In other words if you have a local business, you can get yourself placed in top Google local rankings much easier and much faster than organic results. That’s something.
There’s some great material out there about this already, the links below will show you pretty much all you need to know. The three main things seem to be location, keywords, and reviews, ie.
- The nearer you are to the center of the map, the better.
- The more targeted your local search keywords and listing details are, the better.
- The more good reviews you have, the better.
It’s the last one that’s the real interest, as it appears local search is intended to be a social tool. The more good reviews you have, the better you can do. There are still millions of remarkably competitive local keyphrases with local listings that have a very small number of reviews, so if you happen to find one for your niche phone round your previous clients, ask them to add a quick review in Google Local listings, and you can potentially have your site listed in the top Google Local listings - placed above the regular top 10 - within a few days, sometimes even hours.
To learn local search, read these:
- Local Search ~ The Backdoor to Top SEO Rankings | Jeff Woelker : Chicago SEO, SEM, and Social Media Consultant
- Local Search Loopholes ~ How to show up for Google Local without having a local business | Jeff Woelker : Chicago SEO, SEM, and Social Media Consultant
- An Easy, Free Way to Get Top Search Ranking for Your Small Business | Thrilling Heroics
- How to Get on Google Maps Without an Address
- EarthClassMail: Get a Street Address Here
- Creating the perfect listing - Maps Help
- Understanding Google Maps & Yahoo Local Search - Developing Knowledge about Local Search
- Blackhats to Google Maps: Take That! » Understanding Google Maps & Yahoo Local Search
Enough to get you going, good luck.
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