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I Need Tips For Moving Up In Google Places Listings

by JustinG30
13 replies
Im hoping i can get some help here. My brick and mortar business currently is like 4th when you search a certain phrase plus my city. Ive been in this position for about 3 months now and cant seem to move up. How can i move up? Their are 2 non Google Places listing even above me. Also, how can i get to show up on Google Places for different words and phrases?

Any help would be greatly appreciated or if someone does this i would be willing to pay for services.

Thanks again!
#google #listings #moving #places #tips
  • Profile picture of the author Hugh
    Citations! Citations! Citations!

    Hugh
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    "Never make someone a priority in your life who makes you an option in theirs." Anon.
    "Some see private enterprise as a predatory target to be shot, others as a cow to be milked, but few are those who see it as a sturdy horse pulling the wagon." -- Winston Churchill

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  • Profile picture of the author JustinG30
    Can you explain a little more when you say citations please.

    Thanks
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  • Profile picture of the author ADukes81
    Want an easier way?

    Get reviews. When people search they look at the reviews, not necessarily the top 'A' spot. Get 5 positive reviews and the stars show up.

    And...

    Respond to ALL reviews. Good or bad. It makes a difference. People like being heard.
    Signature
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    • Profile picture of the author Catalyst eMarketing
      Actually moving up depends on the key phrase and which algo Google is showing for it.

      Approx 70% of local searches right now are pulling the BLENDED algo. Citations and reviews won't boost ranking in the blended algo. Although reviews and getting those 5 gold star really helps conversions.

      The blended algo is 95% based on organic ranking factors. You can have all the citations on the planet and it won't help if the site is not optimized right. Is the site really well optimize for local intent and does it include all the right local hooks? Most SMB sites aren't optimized well for local.

      To rank for more keywords you need to be sure they are in the Google Places categories. BUT IMPORTANT - need to word categories right so they comply with the "is not does" rule in the Places guidelines.

      Then those same keywords also need to be well optimized with the local identifier on the web site as well.

      Hope this helps and best of luck!

      Linda
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      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

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      • Profile picture of the author The Offline Advisor
        Originally Posted by Catalyst eMarketing View Post

        Actually moving up depends on the key phrase and which algo Google is showing for it.

        Approx 70% of local searches right now are pulling the BLENDED algo.

        . . .

        Then those same keywords also need to be well optimized with the local identifier on the web site as well.

        Hope this helps and best of luck!

        Linda
        Hey Linda,

        Some great info, thanks. A couple of questions, please:

        1. How do you know which algo Google is using?
        2. I'm not exactly clear on what you mean by "local identifier"?

        Cheers
        Mike
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        Business advice from a bona fide Business Consultant

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        • Profile picture of the author Catalyst eMarketing
          Originally Posted by The Offline Advisor View Post

          Hey Linda,

          Some great info, thanks. A couple of questions, please:

          1. How do you know which algo Google is using?
          2. I'm not exactly clear on what you mean by "local identifier"?
          Hi Mike

          1. The difference between and "pack" and "blended" algo used to be VERY obvious. Now it's hard to tell and there is only about a 1 pixel difference in the display but here is the telltale sign. If it's the old PACK style algo (in which ranking order is controlled by citations and Place page factors) there is a link above the pack that says "More Places about keyword in City."

          If it's the blended algo (controlled 95% by organic ranking factors) then that link is missing. G used to show the meta description so then it was obvious because the listings were several lines high, but now with no description it's hard.

          Plus if you guys don't read my blog, I just announced a couple new algos and Google is OVERWRITING Title tags like crazy. So blended listings also used to be more obvious because the top 3 would show web site title tags. But now she's starting to replace with the biz name, keywords or something scraped from the site OR even from other sites. She's basically just putting whatever she wants there.

          The blended algo shows about 70% of the time now and primarily for the core keywords.

          2. I mean Keyword + City or City + keyword together as a phrase. So for example Dental sites often have a few keywords scattered throughout but often don't have Atlanta Dentist and Dentist in Atlanta Ga in the right Places on the site.

          Additionally there are multiple local hooks I put on sites to help boost local authority and location trust.
          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

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  • Profile picture of the author JustinG30
    My site is nothing major just a typical Wordpress site. My site is thisjustinstore.com and my business is called This Just In. Located in Southgate MI. Anyone take a look at let me know what I should change would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks
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  • Profile picture of the author CarterRobinson
    I completely agree with Linda on this one...The Dual Algorythm is basically a combination of Online Presence & Local Presence....for example Your Business Location and it's influence inside of the city combined with the traditional algorithm for online authority (online SEO).

    Firstly though...how competitive your market is can truly effect what actions you should focus on to boost your rankings so it's important to understand what you need to do to beat out the top 3 sites.

    Boosting Your Google Places Ranking could include a few strategic moves so we'll break down the core components for you to boost your rankings.

    #1. Google Places Optimization (I believe this is about a 20% total ranking factor. Do you use youtube videos? & even Panoramia for images & how do you optimize this media?...do you have coupons and keep your google places listing up to date with news?)
    #2. Keyword Relevancy & Services Provided(Are You Only Optimizing For 1 Keyword in Your Market & Are You Using Google's Organization Structure Inside Of Your Google Places And Your Website?)
    #3. Your Website's Content, Structure, Design & Analytics(How long do your visitors stay on your page?)
    #4. Website SEO strategy(This is the key component to your Ranking On Google Places.)
    #5. Are you Geo-Tagging Your Business In Both Google Places & On Your Website?

    #6. Citation is also crucial...make sure you have your citation the same across online directories and and even make sure it's on your website.
    Company Name
    Company Address
    Company Phone #


    ---Also, never over use or abuse any of these strategies or you'll get slapped...don't put your citation 500 times on your site and don't black hat SEO your site. Make things natural but include them in your marketing efforts...if you abuse these strategies, you'll disapear off of google.

    It's hard to know actually how to recommend improvement because we don't actually have a way to analyze your site and google places but I think this is a great starting point and I feel we can definitely help your pursuit to boost your google places ranking

    If you have any questions feel free to ask.

    ~Carter
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  • Profile picture of the author grace5
    never mind I have re-read and answered my own question
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    ChristianJournal.org
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  • Profile picture of the author amberdorsch123
    As you have written on above about Google places. I think optimizing Google places is good idea for visibility in search engine result page. For increasing you places you optimize you place page a good and relevant title, description. Write some review for that page.
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    • Profile picture of the author Catalyst eMarketing
      FYI I'm posting in another thread where people have questions about the local algo, so I thought I'd add a question and answer from there in case it helps anyone.

      http://www.warriorforum.com/offline-...ml#post6323649

      Ken Asked: "How does one know if the listings are in the blended algo? I've seen a seven pack where the A listing only had half the number of citation that the B and C listing had. Is that an indication?"

      I answered with the same post I made above.

      Then Ken Asked: "By organic site factors, do you mean how high the site is ranked?"

      I replied:

      Yes BUT its hard to tell pure organic rankings any more for a number of reasons. Mainly they are just really obscured by the blended results and it's harder to tell at a glance WHY someone is ranking. (Is it due to citations, or on-site SEO?)

      I have a FREE tool on my tools page in sig below where you can see the PURE organic ranking minus local. It's really helpful to see the PURE ORGANIC strength of a site if you strip out all the local factors.

      PLUS if you use that tool for a keyword that pulls blended and compare with the blended results you can see DIRECT correlation in the search order, which proves that it's organic that's in control. (But take into account some listings will be missing in "blended" due to mismatched NAP, dupes, proximity lockout or Places violations.)
      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

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      • Profile picture of the author moodykitty
        Originally Posted by Catalyst eMarketing View Post


        I have a FREE tool on my tools page in sig below where you can see the PURE organic ranking minus local. It's really helpful to see the PURE ORGANIC strength of a site if you strip out all the local factors.

        PLUS if you use that tool for a keyword that pulls blended and compare with the blended results you can see DIRECT correlation in the search order, which proves that it's organic that's in control. (But take into account some listings will be missing in "blended" due to mismatched NAP, dupes, proximity lockout or Places violations.)
        Thank you!
        I see you have lots of great tools on your site, I bookmarked and will be following...
        Which tool is it you're referring to?
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        I would rather live my life as if there is a God, and die to find out there isn't, than live my life as if there isn't, and die to find out there is.
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