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Local Map Pack - Expected CTR VS Spam name (Local SEO expert only please)

by Linegend
8 replies
  • SEO
    • |
I'm doing local SEO for a dentist and the "business name" is her own name. So basically, it looks like "First name + Last name".

The problem I'm facing is that her competitors in the local map pack are using "First name + Last name + Dentist".

I'm not afraid of "name spam listing". I believe I can beat it given the low competition in this city. However, what scared me is the expected CTR if I can get my client in the local map pack.

Please have a look on this scenario. Imagine you're on hurry and you're looking for a dentist. Which one would you choose (let's say also they have the same average reviews) ?

1- Dentist - Dr X (Competitor 1)
2- Dr Y (Client)
3- Dental Clinic + City + Dr Z (Competitor 2)

I think that maybe people won't choose "Dr Y" because they could think it's maybe a generalist or something. I may be wrong , I'm just wondering what you guys think.

Would you in this scenario, adjust the business name by something like : "Dentist + Dr Y" ?
If you do , are we have to repeat the exact same business name in the whole Local Citation Building process ? Same for the schema markup on my client's website ?

Thanks you by advance for your help
#ctr #expected #expert #local #map #pack #seo #spam
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  • Profile picture of the author nick1123
    I like having my title tags match the keywords people search.

    So if people search for "First name + Last name + Dentist" then your title tag should be that too.

    Does that make sense?
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  • Profile picture of the author MikeFriedman
    I would definitely not do #3. That just looks silly.

    Take a look at other cities and you can find real-life examples.

    I have not found any using your first or third options. They instead use

    John Smith, DDS
    or
    John Smith, DMD

    depending on their title.
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  • Profile picture of the author Linegend
    It's because these listings are not in a english-speaking country
    I translated them from my language to EN.

    Usually, if I look at other cities/district/etc... many are using keywords in their name while it is against the Google Deadlines.
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  • Profile picture of the author MikeFriedman
    Sorry I cannot help. I don't know the language or culture of whatever country you are working in.

    What is normal here, might not be normal there.
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  • Profile picture of the author Linegend
    Google uses the same algorithms & guidelines per country / city / region ... it doesn't change anything. Thanks anyway
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    • Profile picture of the author MikeFriedman
      Originally Posted by Linegend View Post

      Google uses the same algorithms & guidelines per country / city / region ... it doesn't change anything. Thanks anyway
      I know that, but they are stricter in some countries than others and in some lines of business.

      What I meant though was I would be more concerned with what looks good for searchers, and I don't know what the social norms are in your country. Like I said, to me 2 of the options you posted looked horrible, but if that's what everyone is doing, then maybe it is acceptable there.
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  • Profile picture of the author savidge4
    Originally Posted by Linegend View Post

    Please have a look on this scenario. Imagine you're on hurry and you're looking for a dentist. Which one would you choose (let's say also they have the same average reviews) ?

    1- Dentist - Dr X (Competitor 1)
    2- Dr Y (Client)
    3- Dental Clinic + City + Dr Z (Competitor 2)

    I think that maybe people won't choose "Dr Y" because they could think it's maybe a generalist or something. I may be wrong , I'm just wondering what you guys think.
    It is my experience that regardless of all the details in the title.. the FIRST criteria end users use is location itself.... That part of town at 4pm is conjested.. or thats to far.. or Oh I can goto store X afterwords.

    Other than that.. statistics show that spot #1 gets more clicks that #2 and #2 gets more than #3 - same as regular organic search results.

    The dentists I work with..I have 1 that fits #3 ( Name + Dental + location ) and one that is name + DDS. Name + DDS is first, and gets far more clicks, and #2 that is Name + dentist + location is better branded - a good amount of offline advertising. So I would say that position is everything. ( Locations are within blocks of each other BTW )
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  • Profile picture of the author G00GLESLAPPED
    Make sure when you decide on the name that it is the one you will stay with going forward as citations are critically important for 3 pack listings and NAP needs to be 100% across ALL citations. You can always change the name later but to change all citations.....?
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