Google Local Business Optimization
Friday, July 25th, 2008When the new Google Local Business results began showing in the search results there was much speculation about what it took to get moved to the top of the listings. Around July of last year I heard reports from people who had attended some of the SEO conferences – apparently not even the top experts had the secret. Thanks to Lisa Barone from The Bruce Clay Blog for a great description of the SMX Give It Up session.
Google Local Ranking Tips: How Google ranks local listings in importance:
* Registration with Google Local
* Perceived closeness to center of city
* Number of local reviews
* Local link popularity
* Local Phone Number
* Participation in Online Menu Services
* Quality of local reviews (the stars)
* City name inclusion in anchor text
* Local Directory Listings
* Keyword/City in Business Name
* Domain Authority
* Address Inclusion on the Web pages