21 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
21 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Is it possible to outrank Local Business Listings in Google?

by Dexx
17 replies
  • SEO
    • |
Or are they like press releases and automatically get "top of page" preference just under adwords?

Does anyone know if it's possible for a website to outrank a local business listing?

How difficult would this be since a local business listing wouldn't really have much for backlinks?
#business #google #listings #local #outrank
  • Profile picture of the author ehicks727
    I think you're referring to what is commonly called the Local "onebox". There's more than one "onebox" type... movies, music, news, images, etc.. but I believe you're referring to the Local, or Maps onebox.

    It's not ALWAYS at the top, but it's few and far between that you see a local onebox lower on the page.

    Google Local OneBox Midpage Results?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[680377].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Dexx
    Oh wow perfect example of what I was talking about!

    Thank you very much!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[680381].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author mormel
    Hi Dexx,

    Even such a local onebox can be beaten. When your site is very focused on one niche, SEO-wise (something like: dog trimmers Phoenix (Az)), with proper tagging and enough unique info, and when you're supporting it decently with inbound links of a high enough PR, you simply MUST be able to beat any other ranking. Including those of Google itself.

    Yours, warriorly, Ed
    Signature

    Get my WSO: The PPC Horizon Report (http://www.warriorforum.com/warrior-...ney-table.html)
    Read Why You PPC'ers Are Leaving Money on the Table!

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[680499].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author nichemarketninja
      Hey everyone,

      Interesting thread, I tell you though, from my own experience attempting to rank for something like "hair removal new york", I have found it next to impossible to outrank Google Local business results, and trust me I have tried some pretty aggressive long term strategies. I have been able to get on Page 1 even top 3, but have never seen anyone including my competition outrank Google local business search.

      The only thing I did not try was to host the money site on a geographically relevant IP, like an ISP in New York.

      Now, I am not saying it is impossible, in fact I will be extremely excited if someone can give a more recent example of where a site has managed to out rank Google local business results. That would encourage me to get into more local niche markets, but for now, I focus on easier targets.

      I re tested the example from seobythesea for "half moon bay tides" and I don't get any local listings at all.


      Cheers
      Nick
      Signature
      Increase your Wordpress Amazon Conversions Today
      Niche Disco 3.0 Just Released
      www.nichemarketninja.com
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[680554].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author scene4u
    Working for a steel fencing site, I found that I was able to improve the site's ranking within the one box while it is pretty impossible to outrank the one box unless you have a fantastic ranking in Google.
    Signature

    Psychic Readings http://www.kooma.co.uk
    Search engine optimisation Londonhttp://www.searchsensations.com
    Abs Workout Now http://www.absworkoutnow.co.uk

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[680820].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author imventures
    When I search for florists,

    I get 3 results above the one box

    1. FTD Florists Online - Search for a local FTD florist

      Search for a local FTD Florist in the US and Canada. Shop online safely and securely 24 hours a day.
    2. Florist Designed Flowers from Florists at 1-800-FLOWERS.COM

      Florists artistically design and hand-deliver flowers by a florist at 1-800-FLOWERS.COM. Send flowers with our select florists today!
    3. Florist Online: Flowers Fresher than from Florists - ProFlowers

      Looking for fresh flowers from florists? ProFlowers, your online florist, delivers beautiful flowers fresh from the fields to your recipient's door.
    4. Local business results for florists near Sevierville, TN

      - Change location
    So it would be possible to outrank the onebox.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[680974].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author bonehead.publishing
      Based on that information, it appears that you would need to be considered an authority site? I know the first two are very large companies and I'm sure they are considered authority sites (just a guess... but pretty safe guess?)
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[708607].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author ehicks727
      Originally Posted by imventures View Post

      When I search for florists,

      I get 3 results above the one box
      So it would be possible to outrank the onebox.
      I don't think you're getting the gist of what we're saying...

      Search on [city, state] + Florist and see what happens!

      If you search on a geographically constrained search query, you almost always get the onebox on top, and it's nearly impossible to out-rank it.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[709217].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author jspmedia
    looks like it is almost impossible..it is possible but is it really worth the afford and time?
    Create several local domains in same niche, dominate the local search...
    Signature
    Maryland Local SEO Firm

    Local Web Marketing
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[709380].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Dexx
      Originally Posted by jspmedia View Post

      looks like it is almost impossible..it is possible but is it really worth the afford and time?
      Create several local domains in same niche, dominate the local search...
      Well if I could outrank the local listing search for "injury lawyer denver" it WOULD be worth the effort when I go to rent that site listing to an injury lawyer who would now show up above his competition.

      Easily netting a couple thousand a month in rental income.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[710243].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author jspmedia
        Originally Posted by Dexx View Post

        Well if I could outrank the local listing search for "injury lawyer denver" it WOULD be worth the effort when I go to rent that site listing to an injury lawyer who would now show up above his competition.

        Easily netting a couple thousand a month in rental income.
        You think so? Let me see If I can dominate local search for your keyword...in week or two..
        Signature
        Maryland Local SEO Firm

        Local Web Marketing
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[713529].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Dexx
          Originally Posted by jspmedia View Post

          You think so? Let me see If I can dominate local search for your keyword...in week or two..
          Ya but you would be ranking a specific business to do that!

          My goal is to rank a page that I can then rent out to businesses that want the traffic from SEO.

          If I were to rank a specific business, then I'd be doing one time payments, since they would own that information and I couldnt switch out the position for another business (without having to try and outrank my own previous ranking)

          I understand what you are saying though
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[713773].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author nichemarketninja
            Here is a screenshot, from a blog post I made, showing more evidence that it is indeed possible to outrank Google Local Business listings. This is example is local to the UK (Am yet to find a recent US example). The keyword being searched on is: "computer services kent"



            There's hope!
            Cheers
            Nick
            Signature
            Increase your Wordpress Amazon Conversions Today
            Niche Disco 3.0 Just Released
            www.nichemarketninja.com
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[726959].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author Dexx
              Ooo good find Kent!

              I wonder what kind of PR / # of Backlinks it took to pull that off though!
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[727029].message }}
              • Profile picture of the author Sonomamike
                How can companies guaranty top 10 google maps box A thru J...some are even giving a 6 month guaranty.

                I have a personal injury attorney that is desperate to get into the top 3...can I get him there whitehat?

                Thanks,
                Mike
                {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[742713].message }}
                • Profile picture of the author Michael Gavre
                  Nick,

                  If you are looking for a recent US example, try this...

                  rocklin preschool - Google Search

                  for preschool in Rocklin, CA, there are 3 results above the LBR. Someone can Reverse engineer their links if they want to find out.

                  jspmedia:

                  Did you have any luck in your quest?

                  How about you dexx? anything new on the subject?

                  Michael
                  Signature

                  Funnels Dramatically Increase Conversions !! Let me Give you a FREE FUNNEL !!

                  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[891753].message }}
                  • Profile picture of the author Sean Collins
                    Michael, that Rocklin one is a great find.

                    It looks as if the city coming after the search changes things, at least when I switched the sequence of that combination of terms.

                    The example from Kent had the city after the keyword, I noticed.

                    Good variety here to help see what makes the difference.


                    Sean
                    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[910443].message }}

Trending Topics