Google Local - This Can't Be Right?

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This is driving me pretty crazy.

My google local / control panel / analytics is saying that 50% of my traffic, is coming from a keyword phrase I'm not even trying to target.

For instance, its not in my description, not in my headers, not in my reviews, I only used the phrase ONCE on my site, but happened to bold a paragraph that the phrase was in.

This is my google cache -

Mold Remediation NJ | MMRG Mold Remediation & Basement Waterproofing-

I realized that was a stupid thing to do, bolding that entire paragraph.

But my google local says that 50% of my traffic, is coming from the phrase "all county waterproofing".

Then the other 50% from the keyword I'm actually trying to target, which is "mold remediation nj".

HOWEVER, when I search "all county waterproofing", I do NOT see my google local show up ANYWHERE. Even if I click on maps, and go through the page, I don't see my listing anywhere.

But I know the page will pop up if you search "mold remediation nj" locally.

Regardless, I removed that entire paragraph a couple weeks ago. And apparently my google cache hasn't updated yet.

My question is... is it possible that those analytics are wrong? In my google local control panel?

Because according to those analytics, I'm getting a lot of traffic for that phrase, which is ridiculous. If you type in that phrase, that businesses google local comes up, not mine. Initially I wanted people to know that we were a division of that company, but since the owner doesn't take care of his online presence, I don't want any relation to them online. Which is why I removed that paragraph.

Does anyone know if there is a better way to track google local traffic?

I don't trust what my control panel is telling me. It can't be accurate.

Thanks - Red
#google #local
  • Originally Posted by RedShifted View Post

    Does anyone know if there is a better way to track google local traffic?

    I don't trust what my control panel is telling me. It can't be accurate.
    Google Places stats are often broken and not very reliable, but Google seldom just makes stuff up.

    If you search for their name in Google maps, guess who shows up #4?
    all county waterproofing - Google Maps

    Or if you search and happen to be zoomed in more around your area, guess who is NUMERO UNO? all county waterproofing - Google Maps You!

    So depends on where someone is searching in maps and what zoom level.

    But still 50% sounds high.
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    • Profile picture of the author RedShifted
      Originally Posted by Catalyst eMarketing View Post

      Google Places stats are often broken and not very reliable, but Google seldom just makes stuff up.

      If you search for their name in Google maps, guess who shows up #4?
      all county waterproofing - Google Maps

      Or if you search and happen to be zoomed in more around your area, guess who is NUMERO UNO? all county waterproofing - Google Maps You!

      So depends on where someone is searching in maps and what zoom level.

      But still 50% sounds high.
      You are absolutely, incredibly, awesome.

      Awesome, awesome, awesome.

      You came and bumped my thread to answer a question that has been puzzling me for months.

      We are ABSOLUTELY losing traffic because of that and it needs to be fixed. I started my site (MMRG) because the owner of A L L C O U N T Y does not care about his online reputation and has had the same bad review on his google places for years. I was just getting sick of his apathy when it comes to online marketing.

      I have told him countless times "you need to get more, better reviews" and he never does it. They're not even a bad company, he just never asks his customers for reviews.

      If people are finding my listing, and see that I'm a division of a company with 1 bad review online, that looks really shady. I wouldn't use either company if it was me. Too easy to find someone else.

      Can I ask you something Catylst?

      Since I removed their name from my site, will my google places rank change on its own? Like once google updates my new cache?

      There is nothing else I feel that could have been triggering that in the first place. And I have a feeling its ruining his conversions too. His site ranks #2 for a lot of keywords, so those people are probably researching his company online, finding my company, see his bad reviews, my good reviews, and becoming confused.

      Such a confusing situation, but THANK YOU for your help!

      -Red
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