If you read everything that’s been written about local search, you’ll know a lot.
Easier said than done. There’s a ton to read because there’s even more to know. It can be overwhelming.
It never stops being overwhelming. The longer I do local SEO, the more questions I have. For me, the questions reproduce like rabbits.
Still, every now and then someone picks up the crayons and communicates volumes in just a few square inches. Local-search enthusiasts do this better than most people who attempt to make infographics (most of which are confusing and useless).
Here are my favorite infographics and other visuals on local SEO. Except for the top 3, I haven’t listed them in any particular order.
The Local Search Ecosystem – David Mihm
(accompanying blog post here and more info here)
SEO Success Pyramid – Matt McGee
Web Equity: Owning Your Web Presence – Mike Blumenthal
Infographic: Citations – Time To Live – Mike Blumenthal and David Mihm
Anatomy of an Optimal Local Landing Page – Mike Ramsey and Avalaunch Media
Google Details Information Sources for the Business Listing “Cluster” – Mike Blumenthal
Primary Data Providers in Local Search – David Mihm via GetListed.org
A Brief History of Google’s Local Efforts – David Mihm
The Apple Maps Ecosystem – David Mihm
The Local Reviews Ecosystem – Andrew Shotland
(Note: Although I’d seen Andrew’s graphic long before I published my similarly-named “ecosystem,” I forgot the name of the former by the time it came time to name the latter. Major head-smack moment!)
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I won’t put my own infographics on the same list as the great ones above, but here they are anyway, bringing up the caboose:
12-Week Action Plan for Google Places Visibility
The Local Business Reviews Ecosystem
Canada’s Local Business Reviews Ecosystem
How Long Local SEO Takes: the Short Version
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Can you think of any handy graphics I missed? Let me know – leave a comment!
David Deering says
Those are some great infographics, Phil. This is the first time that I’ve actually seen a couple of them. All are great to print and laminate and keep handy, for reference and to show clients how the local ecosystem all works. Thanks for putting together the local infographic family reunion.
Phil says
Thanks for stopping by, David. Yeah, I know many of the graphics are well-known among local-search enthusiasts, but there are a couple “deep cuts” in there (as you say).
I love the “family reunion” imagery. You’ve got the long, rambling, boring infographic. Then you’ve got the terse, “black sheep” infographic. Not saying any of these fit that bill, though :). (Well, except maybe mine, but they’re not on the list.)
Nick says
Hey Phil.
Thanks for compiling all of these for us.
I’ll stick them up on the board, which has already gotten very full!
A lot of them I had seen, but there are still quite a few that I hadn’t. I’ve actually always been a huge fan of your “12 Week Action Plan”. The reason it’s great is that anyone can pick it up, and make sense of what is going to happen.
Anyhow, what is great about these graphics/visuals is that they make the complicated area of Local SEO much more accessible (and fun). We deal with a lot of complex moving parts and anything that can help us with the strategy is useful.
Phil says
Hey Nick,
Just when you thought you’d bought the right size of board!
In general, I think the bar is quite high in local search in terms of infographics. There are very few stinkers. So my job wasn’t too hard.
Thanks for your compliments on my “action plan.” Once the transition to G+ is complete and the dust has settled, I’d like to do a new version of it.
Nick says
Phil: Wow, that would be fantastic to have (in the future) an updated version of the “action plan”. I think there is a lot of demand for it. It seems to really resonate with people as well. I seem to remember David Mihm mentioning/referencing the “action plan” post. Very exciting that there would be another version in the future!
Chris says
Great compilation Phil, thank you for sharing – love the deep cuts!
Phil says
No problemo, Chris!
Jo Shaer says
I have done some pinning to my Pinterest boards, thanks Phil 🙂 Now if only someone would give us the UK Ecosystem?…
Phil says
Thanks, Jo! I actually have a UK Local Reviews Ecosystem as one of the million posts I’d like to do this year. If someone else wanted to do it, I’d be fine with having someone else run with the idea.
Dorothea says
I’ve seen some of them here and then, but it’s great to finally find all these infographics in one place. Thanks for the great compilation, Phil! I think local SEOs should all focus a little more on developing such images and graphics, as they are the easiest way of explaining how stuff actually works (especially to newbies).
Phil says
Thanks, Dorothea! I agree there aren’t enough infographics to go around in local-search circles. But the ones that are there are definitely worth studying and showing to clients whenever possible.
matthew hunt says
Phil, nice one!
Glad to have all these in one place. just book marked it. 😉
Phil says
Thanks for stopping by, Matt!
Michael Borgelt says
Just printed these out and hung them around the office. Thanks for putting all of these in 1 place!
Michael
Phil says
I like your decorating sensibilities, Michael!
Donna Duncan says
I had started a collection of Local Search Infographics on Pinterest and was missing many of these. You’ve saved me oodles of time, the thing we all have too little of! Thanks Phil.
Phil says
No problem, Donna!