When is a search local

8 years ago

You are mixing the things I guess. Google local is for physical stores. And local means local, a city specific or area specific. If your target area is whole nation, it can't be said local for sure. So as I understood, in both cases your E-Commerce store don't hold local value.

Thanks

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maring

8 years ago

Hi Altonroot, thanks for your reply.
I understand that. But to perhaps make the question more clear:
When I search for '4k screen', how does google decide whether or not I am looking for a local physical store?
If I have an e-commerce site that sells 4k screens, is it usefull/recommended to have a local listing, even it's just our office/wharehouse and not a physical store?

regards, maring

Thanks
1 reply

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DABK

8 years ago

When stores sell such stuff locally and Google knows it.

You may have noticed that when you search for flatscreen tv's Google brings up Amazon.com.

Google knows that most people don't order pizza in New York from an outfit in Chicago (though, some deliver frozen stuff outside their location). It also knows that people buy some things from online retailers as well as local shops.

How many people, as a percentage, have to mean local only for Google to only show local results? Who knows? Who cares?

Besides you.

But why do you care?

Originally Posted by maring

Hi Altonroot, thanks for your reply.
I understand that. But to perhaps make the question more clear:
When I search for '4k screen', how does google decide whether or not I am looking for a local physical store?
If I have an e-commerce site that sells 4k screens, is it usefull/recommended to have a local listing, even it's just our office/wharehouse and not a physical store?

regards, maring

Thanks

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maring

8 years ago

I care because of this:

Let's say I'm selling a product that can be sold in local shops but also online (like 4K screens).

Let's say my company location is in Chigago but it's not a physical store where you can buy one, it's just an office/customer service location etc.

What I *obviously* do not want is that Google thinks my site, because of my local listing, is a local store, and only ranks with people searching in the Chicago area.

So therefore the question, does having a local listing make Google think you're selling locally?

When you're not selling locally, does having a local listing help or hurt your SEO?

Thanks
1 reply

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DABK

8 years ago

That's a whole different thing.

Google will think you're selling locally if you use local keywords... Like Chicago mortgage broker, Las Vegas dentist.

If you don't have local indicators on your pages, it's going to show your pages, to all people who search for the term without location indicators.

The trick is being seen is the ole' ranking high.

You want Google to show you to all people in the USA, rank for mortgage broker or dentist, not Las Vegas Mortgage Broker or Seattle Dentist. For red shoes not for red shoes Miami.

Originally Posted by maring

I care because of this:

Let's say I'm selling a product that can be sold in local shops but also online (like 4K screens).

Let's say my company location is in Chigago but it's not a physical store where you can buy one, it's just an office/customer service location etc.

What I *obviously* do not want is that Google thinks my site, because of my local listing, is a local store, and only ranks with people searching in the Chicago area.

So therefore the question, does having a local listing make Google think you're selling locally?

When you're not selling locally, does having a local listing help or hurt your SEO?

Thanks

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maring

8 years ago

Thanks DABK, that helps!

If you don't have local indicators on your pages, it's going to show your pages, to all people who search for the term without location indicators.

I was however not referring to the keywords on my own site, but on having my business and main website affiliated with a profile at business.google.com (published location, telephone number, customer reviews etc)

So once more, (i'll try to be articulate as I can),
when I have an e-commerce site, does it help/hurt SEO to have a profile/listing at business.google.com?

regards

Thanks
1 reply

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DABK

8 years ago

It helps.
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Originally Posted by maring

Thanks DABK, that helps!

I was however not referring to the keywords on my own site, but on having my business and main website affiliated with a profile at business.google.com (published location, telephone number, customer reviews etc)

So once more, (i'll try to be articulate as I can),
when I have an e-commerce site, does it help/hurt SEO to have a profile/listing at business.google.com?

regards