SEO and Google Local Search

BeckM2 · 11-10-2009, 08:12 PM

I've been doing a lot of reading -- especially right here on this forum (which is a goldmine) and I'm confused about something about google organic search.

Assume I am a local plumber, looking for local business.

Generally I would optimize my plumbing services page for a keyword such as "plumbing services new haven ct". (assume that's a great keyword for this example).

I would never consider trying to optimize a page for a broad keyword such "plumbing services" without some kind of geo (or similar) modifier.

But now I'm reading more and more that google is "smart", so that if someone in Chicago searched for the keyword "plumbing servies", they'd get local Chicago plumbers, and if someone in new haven searched for "plumbing services" they'd get the new haven listings.

1. So along those lines, is it "safe" to try to optimize for these really broad keywords knowing that google will limit it to a local area automagically?

and

2. What if I DID want to sell plumbing services natioanlly -- if I were some kind of plumbing services franchise with offices in all 50 states?

Thanks.

JoshuaG · 11-11-2009, 01:09 PM

As far as your first question is concerned, it is "safe" to optimize for the broad terms and rely on google. But google is only so smart. You should still do on site and off site SEO to help it.

For example adding your site to many local online business directories, creating a google map entry for your business etc. You don't have to use your locale in every onsite optimization, but some will help. Also providing information like local addresses of plumbers on your site will help.

I don't understand your 2nd question, so no help there!

BeckM2 · 11-11-2009, 03:09 PM

Thanks. What I meant by the 2nd question was that if google is going to automatically take all "plumber" searches in a local area and direct people to local search results, what does one do if you want to have very broad (e.g national) results.

How do you let google know that you want to compete at a national level for a keyword as opposed to having google assume you want someone to only see local results.

I hope that makes more sense.

Thanks.

kkchoon · 11-11-2009, 10:05 PM

Google determine your Geo location based on:

1. What you tell Google in the webmaster tool
2. Your domain LTD - .com, .com.sg
3. Your IP address
4. The IP and domain link from
5. Your keyword - add local term to it (Chicago, New York)

Pretty much that's it...

debra · 11-11-2009, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeckM2

I've been doing a lot of reading -- especially right here on this forum (which is a goldmine) and I'm confused about something about google organic search.

Assume I am a local plumber, looking for local business.

Generally I would optimize my plumbing services page for a keyword such as "plumbing services new haven ct". (assume that's a great keyword for this example).

I would never consider trying to optimize a page for a broad keyword such "plumbing services" without some kind of geo (or similar) modifier.

But now I'm reading more and more that google is "smart", so that if someone in Chicago searched for the keyword "plumbing servies", they'd get local Chicago plumbers, and if someone in new haven searched for "plumbing services" they'd get the new haven listings.

1. So along those lines, is it "safe" to try to optimize for these really broad keywords knowing that google will limit it to a local area automagically?

and

2. What if I DID want to sell plumbing services natioanlly -- if I were some kind of plumbing services franchise with offices in all 50 states?

Thanks.

Funny you should use "local Chicago plumbers" as an example.

I dominate those keywords and 36 other terms for plumbers in chicago.

And...because I've already did the tracking for over a year and the keyword research. The buyers there aren't using the term "plumbing services" to find plumbers in chicago.

Answer to your question...It's Safe. It's just some (or most) of the broad terms are not profitable.

You have to determine the difference between your non-commercial intent and commercial intent.

BeckM2 · 11-12-2009, 09:02 PM

That's quite a coincidence! Thanks.

11-10-2009, 08:12 PM	#1
BeckM2 HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 173 Thanks: 5 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts Social Networking	SEO and Google Local Search I've been doing a lot of reading -- especially right here on this forum (which is a goldmine) and I'm confused about something about google organic search. Assume I am a local plumber, looking for local business. Generally I would optimize my plumbing services page for a keyword such as "plumbing services new haven ct". (assume that's a great keyword for this example). I would never consider trying to optimize a page for a broad keyword such "plumbing services" without some kind of geo (or similar) modifier. But now I'm reading more and more that google is "smart", so that if someone in Chicago searched for the keyword "plumbing servies", they'd get local Chicago plumbers, and if someone in new haven searched for "plumbing services" they'd get the new haven listings. 1. So along those lines, is it "safe" to try to optimize for these really broad keywords knowing that google will limit it to a local area automagically? and 2. What if I DID want to sell plumbing services natioanlly -- if I were some kind of plumbing services franchise with offices in all 50 states? Thanks.

11-11-2009, 01:09 PM	#2
JoshuaG AdSense Realist War Room Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 742 Thanks: 88 Thanked 99 Times in 76 Posts	Re: SEO and Google Local Search As far as your first question is concerned, it is "safe" to optimize for the broad terms and rely on google. But google is only so smart. You should still do on site and off site SEO to help it. For example adding your site to many local online business directories, creating a google map entry for your business etc. You don't have to use your locale in every onsite optimization, but some will help. Also providing information like local addresses of plumbers on your site will help. I don't understand your 2nd question, so no help there!
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11-11-2009, 03:09 PM	#3
BeckM2 HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 173 Thanks: 5 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts Social Networking	Re: SEO and Google Local Search Thanks. What I meant by the 2nd question was that if google is going to automatically take all "plumber" searches in a local area and direct people to local search results, what does one do if you want to have very broad (e.g national) results. How do you let google know that you want to compete at a national level for a keyword as opposed to having google assume you want someone to only see local results. I hope that makes more sense. Thanks.

11-11-2009, 10:05 PM	#4
kkchoon Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Online World... Posts: 2,920 Thanks: 96 Thanked 521 Times in 266 Posts	Re: SEO and Google Local Search Google determine your Geo location based on: 1. What you tell Google in the webmaster tool 2. Your domain LTD - .com, .com.sg 3. Your IP address 4. The IP and domain link from 5. Your keyword - add local term to it (Chicago, New York) Pretty much that's it...
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11-12-2009, 09:02 PM	#6
BeckM2 HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 173 Thanks: 5 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts Social Networking	Re: SEO and Google Local Search That's quite a coincidence! Thanks.