On April 6th Google announced on their blog their rollout of their map enabled local search function within their mainstream search interface.
As an example, type in “doctors” into Google and chances are that within the first few results you’ll see the Google map along with their “ten pack” of doctors that are local to your IP address.
Now the results are not always 100% accurate as Google explains in their blog that they are providing a broad range of results based upon your IP address and that you can click on the “change location” link, but this shifting to providing local results in their typical organic results is BIG NEWS, especially for those that target a specific geographical area with our business.
At the present time not all the generic keyword terms you may type in are providing local results, however when I’ve searched for Mexican food, dentist, used cars and even SEO Training I’ve been served with results local to my area.
I feel that Google’s roll out of local search is perhaps the biggest news in years for Internet Marketing and Search Engine Optimization and those of us who are selling ANYTHING and have the abilities and know how to properly tag and list our sites for local search will kill their competition.
My presentation at the Off Line Gold Summit on April 25th – 26th will focus on this topic and those that follow my blueprint will become successful in implementing Google Local into their marketing campaign.
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You are incorrectly understanding this Google change, and it will cost you many clients.
Thank you.
Doug,
I do respect your opinion and I find your blog very informative, especially in the area of local search. My “understanding” of Google’s recent changes in adding local search into the generic search results totally changes the landscape of the SERPS and if I’m wrong I welcome your input as to why.
This is awesome for finding location specific queries and I believe will enthuse people to increase their online marketing budgets. It sure is more efficient and reasonable to market on the Internet than to spend tens to hundreds of thousands on traditional media with no methods of analytics.
Hi Roy:
I have been doing work for a business down in Mesa, Arizona. He told me about what you are doing to raise awareness of SEO techniques on the internet. While you are making money by teaching people the basics, I have surpassed what you are sharing with the public.
The BEST way to promote websites on the internet is by taking basic SEO methods and using blogs in what used to be known as a “webring” and promoting quality businesses collectively. The old style of webrings is outdated, but combining modern SEO techniques with group website promotion is unbeatable.
Unfortunately for SEO promoters and “teachers” like yourself, there is no money in helping people build modern webrings and collaborating. Your business exploits the competitive nature of people and profits from their laziness and weak products – in other words, SEO marketing is no substitute for high quality customer service and best quality products.
It’s obvious that everyone in the Phoenix area is using the same internet promotional techniques. So, it’s absolutely impossible for a customer to really know what’s good and what’s not, because it’s as if all these websites are on “SEO steroids.” You are a leading proponent of these SEO methods. I’m asking you to stop telling people that they can boom their businesses through SEO techniques without advising people of the long-term, boom-bust cycle that goes along with that business model. I’m also concerned about what people will think of you when they find out that you have touted methods that are only reasonably effective in the long-term.
As for Google, I have studied their search engine comprehensively. A store with 12 locations in the Phoenix area can dominate Google’s local listings. But so what? All that will do is just cause a bunch of spam and Google local listings will be totally ineffective for consumers. And of course, people can always log out of their Google accounts, change locations on Google and not be subjected to the local spam, SEO-pumped websites that dominate searches in Phoenix. Phoenix is notorious for SEO-pumped websites and fraudulent product claims.
The fact is, Google knows about you and people like you who try to exploit their search engine. You treat it like a game. It’s not. Google is a software that is a virtual world, it’s not real. People are living through Google as if it actually exists in the real world. I’m reminded of the GPS systems that lead people into lakes and dead ends, even though the GPS maps insist there is a road present. Google is a road map that cannot be totally trusted.
The whole thing is just code, that’s all it is. I interpret the constantly changing patterns that I see within Google searches, then I use my understanding to help businesses that I feel are worthy of top promotional efforts. You’re correct to say that Google is changing, but you’re incorrect in assuming that the change to local searches is a major factor now for SEO promotions. It’s a decoy, and Google wants you to take the bait…I suppose that you will, but you’ll regret it later when you find out that Google seeks to diminish and put out of business anyone who tries to exploit their search engine.
Honesty, integrity, customer service…these are the things that make businesses successful. Doing too much on the promotional side hurts businesses.
Thank you.
You’re almost correct in your observation in “everyone in the Phoenix area is using the same promotional techniques” that the other SEO agencies and the so called Internet Guru’s promote and teach. However I guess you never took the time to read my blog or to sign up for my “free SEO tip of the day” because I DO NOT promote this type interaction and stress customer support and interacting with your client base through social media, your legacy website and through partnerships with others in your niche.
I don’t teach “code” as you call it, I stress creating valuable informative content above all else. If your business is local then “target” your content to the local sector.
I would welcome you to attend our free SEO and Internet marketing Meetup next month, the subject material is How to Build tribes using social media. I think if you spend the time understanding what I teach instead of listening to what other people say and you’ll see that we think alike in many areas and I’m unlike all the other “Internet Gurus” that you have unjustly labeled me as.