How Google Local Search Orders Its Results?

Google Local Search Turns up the Local Search Engine Optimization Volume!

We at FirstPlaceListings.com, a search engine optimization company based in Delaware, firmly believe in Google’s Local Search. So much so, that we believe Google Local Search will, in a few short years from now, overcome and outperform the existing local directories such as yellowbook, yellowpages.com, superpages, citysearch, or any other local business directory in digital or print form or on the web. Remember searching with InfoSeek? Google Local Search is a major shift in local business search strategies; it’s coming hard, and it’s coming fast.

With Google’s dive into 411 directory information (800-GOOG-411) and their pending jump into the consumer cell-phone market, it’s quite clear that Google Local Search is going to be much more than a small local business directory.

The Increasing Value of Google Local Search Entries

Certainly, Google Local Search results are becoming more valuable; Google has for a while inserted its local results–with obvious prominence–within its traditional natural results. Google Local Search is certainly a facet of SEO, (Search Engine Optimization) that is growing in relevance week-by-week. And, once Google launches its cell-phone service, then Google Local Search may become more important than the traditional organic search results for some businesses. And don’t forget that Google is busy perfecting its voice recognition system in conjunction with its 411 service.

Cell phones, voice recognition, geo-location, and location-sensitive search retrieval–all these factors are now coming together. Google is clearly posturing for the inevitable day when a majority of searches are made by voice command rather than the tapity-tap of a computer keyboard.

And, just as search engine optimizers have struggled to learn the secrets of Google’s organic search results, so to will be the case in the near future as many SEO’ers fight for top position in the Google Local Search results.

And so, we analyzed how the listing order for Google Local results is determined with an eye toward improving our results and the results of our clients. Here’s a hint: it’s not alphabetic.

Location; Location; Location?

Google Local Search entries do appear to be “location sensitive”. Obviously, the entire point of a local search is to deliver local results. And, zip code-based searches appear to be more “strict” than city name searches, which Google has a very technical patent for. Business locations near a city center may appear first in Local entries–but location is not the only factor, and location can easily be outweighed by both keywords and depth of the listing and reviews.

The use of keywords in the business name and title can yield favorable Google Local Search results, as well as the use of keywords in the business description. These present a clear opportunity to optimize through the development of a keyword-focused profile.

Local Results: The Effect of Customer Reviews

Finally, the local business results are certainly impacted by the number of reviews. Business owners with local listings would be wise to invite their happy customers to write reviews in the Google Local section.

Need help with your internet marketing, search engine optimization and Google Local Search entries? If so, Contact Us or call 302-200-0564 today for a free initial & confidential consultation.