Every now and then I stumble across a business in Google Places that has a sweet “best-of” –type award sitting right at the top of its Places page. I don’t run across these awards too frequently—but when a business has one, I notice it. More … [Continue reading] about Which Awards Grow Your Local-Search Stature?
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New Inequality in Google Places: Sitelinks in "Blended" Local Search Results
I've just seen what I believe is a new competitive edge that some businesses can wield over others in the Google Places “blended” search results: sitelinks. For example, here’s a screenshot of how one of my clients shows up in Google Places—notice … [Continue reading] about New Inequality in Google Places: Sitelinks in "Blended" Local Search Results
How to Squeeze Maximum Google Places Love from GetListed.org Scans
If you’ve ever tried to get a business more visible to local customers in Google Places, you’ve probably used or at least stumbled across GetListed.org—David Mihm’s ridiculously awesome free tool for analyzing and improving your local … [Continue reading] about How to Squeeze Maximum Google Places Love from GetListed.org Scans
Best Google Places Troubleshooting Posts (2011 – Early 2012)
Having problems with Google Places? Of course you are! Local Google is a minefield of bugs, glitches, often-murky “Quality Guidelines,” sudden algorithm changes, and possibly unethical competitors. Tiptoeing your way around all the hazards … [Continue reading] about Best Google Places Troubleshooting Posts (2011 – Early 2012)
Cold Hard Numbers on How Third-Party Reviews Help Google Places Rankings
Customer reviews are crucial to your local rankings and overall success in Google Places, as you may know. You need reviews that customers write directly on your Google Places page, and you need customer reviews on third-party sites like … [Continue reading] about Cold Hard Numbers on How Third-Party Reviews Help Google Places Rankings