How To Optimize Google Places

alexei_aus · 03-20-2011, 08:13 PM

I was wondering if there has been an update to Google Places listings optimization.

Initially you needed:

onsite SEO for the keyword.
Right categories
Complete listing
reviews
other major directory listings

initially my listings were in top 3 positions using this criteria, now competitors are above my listings and their listings are not even optimized...

any ideas?

alexei_aus · 03-20-2011, 10:31 PM

any ideas guys?

Catalyst eMarketing · 03-20-2011, 11:27 PM

The algo changed on Oct 27th when Google introduced the new merged layout. Now ranking has more to do with traditional organic SEO factors.

That's why you'll often see listings on top that have 0 reviews, and not much else going for their Place page. But if you check to see who's on top in the ' 'old' style organic rankings, you'll see those same sites are primarily on top with the new merged algo - providing they have all the right local hooks in place.

There's more to the new algo than that, but in a simple nutshell that's what's going on. So double check and beef up your onsite SEO.

Catalyst eMarketing · 03-22-2011, 10:19 AM

Meant to add, when you see the old style 3 or 7 pack type listings, which sometimes show up on less competitive terms then it's using the old algo. So # of reviews and citations is still important, just not quite as much.

rbrShorty · 03-22-2011, 04:42 PM

There is the possibility that your competitors had been listed in some directories (they had citations), which were previously not indexed by Google (for some directories it would take months until you get a backlink). So, these backlinks came to their listings and now they rank higher than you. Furthermore, they might have had reviews on third-party directories and they got indexed by Google and linked to their listings. This could also affect their ranking.

Of course what Catalyst eMarketing is also valid, but I doubt you haven't checked your Place Page for the last 5 months. What are the changes that you notice in your competitors Place Pages compared to the times you ranked higher than them?

Canadaseopro · 07-07-2011, 10:06 AM

To rank high in Google places all you have to do is backlink your places profile to social bookmarking and article directory sites. This was tested and assured to work. Its the old backlink war for high rankings in Google places and when Google gets hold of this I'm sure it will be diminished to cash in while you can. Hope this helps. T

03-20-2011, 08:13 PM	#1
alexei_aus HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 484 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 14 Thanked 10 Times in 9 Posts Social Networking	How To Optimize Google Places I was wondering if there has been an update to Google Places listings optimization. Initially you needed: onsite SEO for the keyword. Right categories Complete listing reviews other major directory listings initially my listings were in top 3 positions using this criteria, now competitors are above my listings and their listings are not even optimized... any ideas?
	Google Adwords Melbourne Salon Software That Rules!

03-20-2011, 10:31 PM	#2
alexei_aus HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 484 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 14 Thanked 10 Times in 9 Posts Social Networking	Re: How To Optimize Google Places any ideas guys?
	Google Adwords Melbourne Salon Software That Rules!

03-20-2011, 11:27 PM	#3
Catalyst eMarketing GooglePlaces Optimization War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 802 Thanks: 55 Thanked 192 Times in 110 Posts Social Networking	Re: How To Optimize Google Places The algo changed on Oct 27th when Google introduced the new merged layout. Now ranking has more to do with traditional organic SEO factors. That's why you'll often see listings on top that have 0 reviews, and not much else going for their Place page. But if you check to see who's on top in the ' 'old' style organic rankings, you'll see those same sites are primarily on top with the new merged algo - providing they have all the right local hooks in place. There's more to the new algo than that, but in a simple nutshell that's what's going on. So double check and beef up your onsite SEO.
	Linda Buquet :: Google Places Optimization Specialist :: Catalyst eMarketing Google Places Optimization :: ADVANCED GOOGLE PLACES TRAINING Available Google Places Optimization & Local SEO BLOG :: Latest Google Places News and Tips BEST Google Places Software & FREE Local SEO Tools

03-22-2011, 10:19 AM	#4
Catalyst eMarketing GooglePlaces Optimization War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 802 Thanks: 55 Thanked 192 Times in 110 Posts Social Networking	Re: How To Optimize Google Places Meant to add, when you see the old style 3 or 7 pack type listings, which sometimes show up on less competitive terms then it's using the old algo. So # of reviews and citations is still important, just not quite as much.
	Linda Buquet :: Google Places Optimization Specialist :: Catalyst eMarketing Google Places Optimization :: ADVANCED GOOGLE PLACES TRAINING Available Google Places Optimization & Local SEO BLOG :: Latest Google Places News and Tips BEST Google Places Software & FREE Local SEO Tools

03-22-2011, 04:42 PM	#5
rbrShorty Nyagoslav Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 226 Thanks: 2 Thanked 53 Times in 39 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: How To Optimize Google Places There is the possibility that your competitors had been listed in some directories (they had citations), which were previously not indexed by Google (for some directories it would take months until you get a backlink). So, these backlinks came to their listings and now they rank higher than you. Furthermore, they might have had reviews on third-party directories and they got indexed by Google and linked to their listings. This could also affect their ranking. Of course what Catalyst eMarketing is also valid, but I doubt you haven't checked your Place Page for the last 5 months. What are the changes that you notice in your competitors Place Pages compared to the times you ranked higher than them?

07-07-2011, 10:06 AM	#6
Canadaseopro Canada SEO Professional War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Vancouver B.C. Canada Posts: 63 Blog Entries: 9 Thanks: 30 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts Social Networking	Re: How To Optimize Google Places To rank high in Google places all you have to do is backlink your places profile to social bookmarking and article directory sites. This was tested and assured to work. Its the old backlink war for high rankings in Google places and when Google gets hold of this I'm sure it will be diminished to cash in while you can. Hope this helps. T
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