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Can we rank A slot on Google Places and #1 organic search at the same time?

by joe0074
10 replies
Hi there,

My client website is ranking A slot on Google Places but he wants his website ranking #1 on organic search on page 1 as well. Is this doable ? I have bad experience with my previous customer that the ranking on Google Places and organic search was merged together and can't show up in both at the same time. What do you think?

Thanks,
#google #organic #places #rank #search #slot #time
  • Profile picture of the author hotlinkz
    One has nothing to do with the other. Places is geared to local search, while the SERPS are geared more to national search. If the site has all the right elements in place to justify a Google Top Ten ranking, it should be ranked regardless of the Google Places status.

    Here is an article that may help.

    How Google's New Local SERP Affected Your Ranking | SEOmoz
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    • Profile picture of the author Catalyst eMarketing
      Originally Posted by hotlinkz View Post

      One has nothing to do with the other. Places is geared to local search, while the SERPS are geared more to national search.
      If it's a local search which is what the op is asking about then they are def connected. Google merged the organic and Places listings together for many but not all KW starting October 27th. Google Dallas plasic surgeon or Seattle Chiropractor and you'll see the merged local listings that combine the organic listing with reviews, the Places listing and an image.

      There is a way to keep the listings separate for awhile. I have a client that was #2 - 7 organic and #4 - 6 in the merged Places listings for several KWs for several months. But then Google caught on and changed his listing. It was a pretty slick and tricky way of doing it, but my client did it by accident. When I explained that what he accidently did is what caused his listings not to merge and in fact gave him double rankings he was pretty excited.

      If I wore a hat with any color at all, I could have told him how to do it again. But bottom line, I optimized his site and Place and then Google made the change so they merged. Now he's #1 for almost everything (in a competitive market - Dentistry) and he's #1 legitimately in the merged listings.

      So wouldn't your client rather have a #1 - 3 ranking instead of two #4 -7 rankings?
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  • Profile picture of the author Doran Peck
    Yes it can be done. Look at my site for example:

    google [business cards twin falls] and today it looks like my local balloon is D but then my actual website is also under the local group, and its been there as long as I've been listed in the balloons.

    My places listing is not even fully done yet...I do believe it is also benefiting from the backlink services I've purchased from numerous Warriors for the site itself...90% of which were not for geotagged keywords...the fact that I'm starting to rank here locally for all sorts of print related terms seems to be a byproduct of the strength of the national ranking efforts...which makes sense to me - but I don't know for sure.

    Your client wants to satisfy a little bit of ego by appearing on page one with his actual site...I would convince him to think beyond that....get a blog and some (keyword specialized) hubpages, squiddoo pages up and work to get those on page one as well...get them thinking in terms of dominating the first page with any internet property that can promote or lead people to their brand.

    hope that helps

    DP
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    • Profile picture of the author davechan
      They are independent yet connected ideas. The techniques to get Google Places #1 is based on similar concepts of optimizing your content just like in SEO for 1st page. The website tied to Google Places should of course be optimized as well and linked with Google Places - Citations will drive up BOTH Google Places and organic traffic for website.

      So, while they are different "tactics" they are both intricately linked, as well.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dr Dan
    I just use classified sites, videos, and social bookmarking to get them all over the first page and they take up as much as 8-11 first page spots! My clients love it! Oh and I forgot to mention I do it in less than 24 hours! Then you dont have to worry about GP merging with anything.
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  • Profile picture of the author Diane S
    Originally Posted by joe0074 View Post

    Hi there,

    My client website is ranking A slot on Google Places but he wants his website ranking #1 on organic search on page 1 as well. Is this doable ? I have bad experience with my previous customer that the ranking on Google Places and organic search was merged together and can't show up in both at the same time. What do you think?

    Thanks,
    Because Google can change its policies and techniques at any time without warning, I would never promise a number one listing for either one. We can really destroy our own credibility with our customers if we promise things that Google can take away overnight. I am always careful to not promise or guarantee a particular result. I talk in terms of "improving your position in the search results" or "optimize your Places listing for improved results" and things like that. So I would definitely not promise to be able to get both a Places and a website ranking at #1 in Google. That is one sure way to lose a customer. It is, of course, possible to do, but nobody can guarantee it, for either the short term or the long term.

    I do wish you all the best in giving value to this and all your customers.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ashley Wright
    At the moment it is possible, Google places rules are always changing at the moment so watch this space, but I supose it is just the same as rank no.1 and then having, A Google ad for the same keyword term right?

    It sure is something I am starting to test now anyway...
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    • Profile picture of the author spainops
      I have a UK client and he is ranked 1 for Places and the organics. BUT the two seem to be alternating ie 1 day he may be there in the A spot but no organic listing and the next day vice versa. I´m not saying it alternates every day but I am not seeing double listings. I think it may vary on the keywords and location as to whether you can achieve both.

      Interesting thing is when he is 1 in organics it appears above maps. And when 1 in the maps its above the organic listings.

      From my experience I would never guarantee both, well not at the same time ie on the same Page

      Si
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      • Profile picture of the author Catalyst eMarketing
        More & more G seems to be showing the "old" style 2 line "7 pack" type listings. When they do this the Place listing and the organic listing are totally separate so you can rank twice.

        If the key phrase is showing the mew bigger merged style listing there is still a trick for getting a double. So the client ranks on top for with a merged Place listing PLUS an organic listing. I would not post it on a public forum though because too many would abuse it.
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        • Profile picture of the author Dhira
          Originally Posted by Catalyst eMarketing View Post

          More & more G seems to be showing the "old" style 2 line "7 pack" type listings. When they do this the Place listing and the organic listing are totally separate so you can rank twice.
          This is correct. I have a few clients ranking twice.

          However, I am also having some clients rank twice with the merged listings.

          And some... not.
          I am yet to discover why this is the case.

          Catalyst eMarketing.... any hints?
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