Google Places and Tags - Did you know about it?

17 replies
I just found this interesting information from ClickZ.

Google Tags, Paid Search Meets SEO | ClickZ

It will definitely have some impact on my PPC for local search phrases. It puts a bit of colour in the Offline opportunities

Has anyone else had experiences with using the tags?
#google #google places #google tags #places #tags
  • Profile picture of the author jsherloc
    Peter,

    I have been using the tags for a few clients now, and they do help your PPC-listing stand out more. I'm actually surprised more in my area are not taking advantage of the tags.

    I believe the tags thing is actually just the beginning of the end for "optimizing" Places listings. I foresee them giving special positioning to the people willing to pump more $$$ into the Places location. Google can cut a lot of us out of the picture directly. "Hi Mr Biz Owner, for only $500 a month your business will be shown in our "featured local listings" section. Would you like to swipe your card before finalizing your Places listing?"

    I hope I'm wrong though lol.

    - Jim
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2734798].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author freudianslip27
    Yeah I worry about that too (local directory turning into a bidding war). I've been using the tag feature on a few of my bigger clients. I don't like how it says sponsored though. It does seem to help bring more traffic in though.

    Matt
    Signature

    WarriorForum Rules!

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2735144].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Bronwyn and Keith
      Hi Peter

      Yes tags are at a pretty good price right now BUT it's unlikely that the Big G will only "settle" for a mere pittance each month.

      Just look at the way Adwords/Adsense has evolved over the past couple of years and boosted the coffers of The Big G - obviously a "have your cake and eat it too approach".

      Like all things they touch the price WILL go up.

      Regards

      Bronwyn and Keith
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2735364].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author fushigi
    yes, but the tags have no bearing on where your listing falls in Google Places. You still gotta optimize your listing. You can't pay to have your listing appear in the "A" spot, you gotta get it there on your own.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2735450].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author peter.max
    Thanks, I'll have to look into this. I'll have to look at the pricing model etc. What has your experience been on the cost side of it?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2735858].message }}
    • I would seriously think twice before adding Tags right now.

      I believe Tags to still be too buggy to be ready for market. Many users reports losing reviews after adding Tags, losing stats after adding Tags and all types of other problems start after they add tags.

      I have a pretty big Google Places business and and I can tell you from experience that once you start building up this business with lots of clients, the myriad of Google bugs will eat up your time and cripple you.

      I have clients who added Tags and had their Places split in two, dividing up all their trust points and dropping their rankings. One client had over 100 legit reviews and was top ranked for everything. His listing split in 1/2 and the bogus dupe stole 87 of his reviews.

      I've had to stop accepting new clients because I have so many tech problems I can't do anything else right now.

      So if you are considering Tags for yourself, just understand the pros and cons. If you are considering Tags for clients then be warned that I don't think they are ready for prime time.
      Signature

      Linda Buquet :: Google+ Local Specialist and Google Top Contributor
      ADVANCED Google+ Local Training :: Also offering White Label Local SEO
      Latest Google Local News, Tips & Tricks

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2736858].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author jspmedia
        Originally Posted by 5starAffiliatePrograms View Post

        I would seriously think twice before adding Tags right now.

        I believe Tags to still be too buggy to be ready for market. Many users reports losing reviews after adding Tags, losing stats after adding Tags and all types of other problems start after they add tags.

        I have a big Google Places business and am doing over XX,XXX.00 per month and I can tell you from experience that once you start building up this business with lots of clients, the myriad of Google bugs will eat up your time and cripple you.

        I have clients who added Tags and had their Places split in two, dividing up all their trust points and dropping their rankings. One client had over 100 legit reviews and was top ranked for everything. His listing split in 1/2 and the bogus dupe stole 87 of his reviews.

        I've had to stop accepting new clients because I have so many tech problems I can't do anything else right now.

        So if you are considering Tags for yourself, just understand the pros and cons. If you are considering Tags for clients then be warned that I don't think they are ready for prime time.
        how do you charge clients for your service? monthly or one time? can you share avg. price?

        thanks
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2738250].message }}
        • Originally Posted by jspmedia View Post

          how do you charge clients for your service? monthly or one time? can you share avg. price? thanks
          My model is very different than most, my fees are higher than most, but I also do a lot of extra work that most local SEOs don't do.

          I structure it as a minimum 4 month optimization program. Then after 4 months I evaluate their needs and based on their situation, competition and how much work I think it will take, I offer them a reduced fee for ongoing support.
          Signature

          Linda Buquet :: Google+ Local Specialist and Google Top Contributor
          ADVANCED Google+ Local Training :: Also offering White Label Local SEO
          Latest Google Local News, Tips & Tricks

          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2739120].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author jspmedia
            Originally Posted by 5starAffiliatePrograms View Post

            My model is very different than most, my fees are higher than most, but I also do a lot of extra work that most local SEOs don't do.

            I structure it as a minimum 4 month optimization program. Then after 4 months I evaluate their needs and based on their situation, competition and how much work I think it will take, I offer them a reduced fee for ongoing support.
            great..thanks

            how did you get your first client? email, face to face, or cold calling?
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2740334].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Riz
        In the Uk we do not even have the 'tags' option yet.

        Linda why did you feel the need to stop accepting new clients? If the problems you are encountering are related to the 'tags' option why not just stop adding that option to clients pages?

        Have you found other bugs also?

        Thanks in advance.

        Riz

        Originally Posted by 5starAffiliatePrograms View Post

        I would seriously think twice before adding Tags right now.

        I believe Tags to still be too buggy to be ready for market. Many users reports losing reviews after adding Tags, losing stats after adding Tags and all types of other problems start after they add tags.

        I have a pretty big Google Places business and and I can tell you from experience that once you start building up this business with lots of clients, the myriad of Google bugs will eat up your time and cripple you.

        I have clients who added Tags and had their Places split in two, dividing up all their trust points and dropping their rankings. One client had over 100 legit reviews and was top ranked for everything. His listing split in 1/2 and the bogus dupe stole 87 of his reviews.

        I've had to stop accepting new clients because I have so many tech problems I can't do anything else right now.

        So if you are considering Tags for yourself, just understand the pros and cons. If you are considering Tags for clients then be warned that I don't think they are ready for prime time.
        Signature
        NEWBIES - Stuck on Technical Issues?

        Ask me For a FREE copy of my upcoming course that will eliminate all your technical gremlins....:
        SEND ME A PRIVATE MESSAGE NOW!
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2740404].message }}
        • Originally Posted by Riz View Post

          Linda why did you feel the need to stop accepting new clients? If the problems you are encountering are related to the 'tags' option why not just stop adding that options to clients pages?

          Have you found other bugs also?
          Thanks in advance.
          Riz
          I HAD to stop accepting new clients for awhile due to having to spend full time doing damage control after all the problems the last Google Places update caused. (Not all tag related problems, other probs as well. Lost reviews, split listings and all kinds of things.) I just have no time for new clients until I get caught up with all the extra time my existing clients need.

          Yes, many other bugs and problems, most of them due to the way Google scrapes data and creates duplicates or changes listings. A lot of my clients have ghost duplicates, some have this new split listing issue and/or invisible merged listings where you can't make changes to the Place page.

          As far as my clients and Tags go. I tell all my clients not to add them. But a few new clients that already had them set up I let them keep them. That was before I realized that many problems could possibly be due to the Tags. From now on I think I'll tell new client that have them, that they should discontinue for now.

          Google recently started a new Tags forum because there were enough problems to justify having a separate forum. So you can see a list of many of the problems there.

          I LIKE Tags, don't get me wrong. If they didn't cause additional tech problems, for $25 a month, it's a no-brainer. I would have all my clients use them!
          Signature

          Linda Buquet :: Google+ Local Specialist and Google Top Contributor
          ADVANCED Google+ Local Training :: Also offering White Label Local SEO
          Latest Google Local News, Tips & Tricks

          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2740988].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author jsherloc
    Thank you for the warning Linda, I along with others here really do appreciate it. I believe that us Places SEO'ers are truly changing the way that Google handles local searches at this point.

    As you mentioned, they are now CONSTANTLY making updates and tweaks to their Places algorithm/technical aspects. It is kind of odd that most of these major bugs/issues/changes/updates are really picking up now that several "Google Places Optimization" courses have hit the main streets of the internet. I have bought several of these WSO's, and they are VERY POWERFUL stuff. The problem I see, is that they are TOO POWERFUL, and that's why Google is essentially flipping their lid on the whole Places thing.

    Sure, Google wants you and your clients to have SOME optimization "options", and it comes down to the old "they need us as much as we need them" deal, but how do you see that continuing in the "Places" areas? It only makes sense that those with the most $$$ will probably have the access to the best resources for this sort of thing: us Goolgle Places SEO CONSULTANTS. And now that the cat is officially out of the bag, and there are CLEARLY ways to heavily influence the listings, they are rethinking their options at this point.

    As I mentioned above, why couldn't Google just cut SEO'ers outta the Places picture directly? They would have a much much harder/impossible time doing this with basic SEO, PPC, etc. But MAPS/PLACES is really "new" and completely "under their control" if they so choose at this point I'd imagine.

    - Jim
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2738000].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Riz
      Jim,

      I really don't think the reasons for major bugs has anything to do with courses being released.

      In the grand scheme of things the number of people optimizing their listings as a result of these courses is negligible.

      Riz

      Originally Posted by jsherloc View Post

      Thank you for the warning Linda, I along with others here really do appreciate it. I believe that us Places SEO'ers are truly changing the way that Google handles local searches at this point.

      As you mentioned, they are now CONSTANTLY making updates and tweaks to their Places algorithm/technical aspects. It is kind of odd that most of these major bugs/issues/changes/updates are really picking up now that several "Google Places Optimization" courses have hit the main streets of the internet. I have bought several of these WSO's, and they are VERY POWERFUL stuff. The problem I see, is that they are TOO POWERFUL, and that's why Google is essentially flipping their lid on the whole Places thing.

      Sure, Google wants you and your clients to have SOME optimization "options", and it comes down to the old "they need us as much as we need them" deal, but how do you see that continuing in the "Places" areas? It only makes sense that those with the most $$$ will probably have the access to the best resources for this sort of thing: us Goolgle Places SEO CONSULTANTS. And now that the cat is officially out of the bag, and there are CLEARLY ways to heavily influence the listings, they are rethinking their options at this point.

      As I mentioned above, why couldn't Google just cut SEO'ers outta the Places picture directly? They would have a much much harder/impossible time doing this with basic SEO, PPC, etc. But MAPS/PLACES is really "new" and completely "under their control" if they so choose at this point I'd imagine.

      - Jim
      Signature
      NEWBIES - Stuck on Technical Issues?

      Ask me For a FREE copy of my upcoming course that will eliminate all your technical gremlins....:
      SEND ME A PRIVATE MESSAGE NOW!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2740407].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author peter.max
    Thanks Linda. Some food for thought. I've used Google Places before for clients and also would it buggy from time to time.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2738563].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author jrod014
    Tags work well. My client uses them for coupons and gets extra clicks to his website. He has also seen a lot more foot traffic from google places.

    Google Places coupon tags works really well and IMO are better than some services like bogopod.com
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2740893].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author jsherloc
    Riz,

    I'd like to agree with you and think I am just being a bit paranoid, but I wouldn't be so sure that these WSO courses have not impacted the Places area. I agree though, in the grand scheme it is probably slight stuff.

    I have just noticed that a few of the MAJOR tips (that previously no one was talking about) in these courses, well now a few of my Places listings are having trouble "recognizing" some of these types of "citations" mentioned. These "citations" are EASILY automated as well, which can really ramp up their overall effects in the grand scheme of things. Like I said though, I'm paranoid in general.

    Linda, it seems you have a lot of experience in the Places arena. Do you foresee them going to a "featured/pay to play" model anytime soon? How about cutting us SEO'ers outta the Places picture? Ex: We might still be able to help the businesses that don't want to pay a flat "monthly fee" for "the featured local listings", but the guys in the "featured" section will obviously scoop up the majority of the clicks. Or do you see it just coniniuing to be buggy/and evolve into an area that us SEO'ers can truly and reliably work in. The name of the SEO game is "change", but Places is changing so much that I just don't see a clear END RESULT, and I'd like to hear what other warriors think that END RESULT will look like.

    - Jim
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2742435].message }}
    • Originally Posted by jsherloc View Post

      Linda, it seems you have a lot of experience in the Places arena. Do you foresee them going to a "featured/pay to play" model anytime soon? How about cutting us SEO'ers outta the Places picture? Ex: We might still be able to help the businesses that don't want to pay a flat "monthly fee" for "the featured local listings", but the guys in the "featured" section will obviously scoop up the majority of the clicks. Or do you see it just coniniuing to be buggy/and evolve into an area that us SEO'ers can truly and reliably work in. The name of the SEO game is "change", but Places is changing so much that I just don't see a clear END RESULT, and I'd like to hear what other warriors think that END RESULT will look like.

      - Jim
      Hey Jim, great Qs.

      Wish I had a crystal ball but I don't. All I know is that since G just moved Marissa Mayer over to head up Places, they must have big plans for local.

      However due to the chronic, long standing lack of support for Google local as a small business listing service, I'm not so sure their focus is going to be on local the way we think of local. (As SEO or helping small businesses). I wonder if possibly more of their emphasis on local will be mobile-oriented and check-in oriented, like 4square and others.
      Signature

      Linda Buquet :: Google+ Local Specialist and Google Top Contributor
      ADVANCED Google+ Local Training :: Also offering White Label Local SEO
      Latest Google Local News, Tips & Tricks

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2752974].message }}

Trending Topics