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How does Google Places work? In SEO Terms

by mince001
11 replies
  • SEO
    • |
Could someone please explain how you rank high for google places? Do you just do basic on page seo and off page seo?
#google #places #seo #terms #work
  • Profile picture of the author paulgl
    Google places has nothing to do with on page or off page.
    In fact, having a website is not even required.

    It's about a listing. Like in the yellow pages. All about
    relevance, location, and sometimes, ratings. I say sometimes,
    because there are only so many of each business in each
    zip code, or neighborhood. If you have the only one, well,
    ratings don't matter.

    When you sign up, which is free, use your true location and
    nature of business, and a real phone number.

    Then you can artificially pump up ratings on yelp and others.

    Paul
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    • Profile picture of the author mince001
      Originally Posted by paulgl View Post

      Google places has nothing to do with on page or off page.
      In fact, having a website is not even required.

      It's about a listing. Like in the yellow pages. All about
      relevance, location, and sometimes, ratings. I say sometimes,
      because there are only so many of each business in each
      zip code, or neighborhood. If you have the only one, well,
      ratings don't matter.

      When you sign up, which is free, use your true location and
      nature of business, and a real phone number.

      Then you can artificially pump up ratings on yelp and others.

      Paul
      Ok. But how would you ensure that you rank a business for the keyword plumbers london for example ...in google places
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  • Profile picture of the author Fraggler
    This is something I am trying to find more info on as well. Citations from relevant industry directories seem to be important but I don't know how the keyword relevancy is handled when a Google Place can belong to a company with no website.

    I'd assume that they still look at a company's website for some sort of on and off-site relevancy but don't know.

    The location is a little confusing as well. I have managed to nail it for a company's street location (suburb) but not having the same success for the city. It is obviously a tougher task but I'm wordering how much 'help' Google needs to make a strong connection.

    All reports I have read seem to just talk about the citation side of things.

    Oh, I really don't want to pay for lies (false testimonials).
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    • Profile picture of the author paulgl
      Originally Posted by Fraggler View Post

      Oh, I really don't want to pay for lies (false testimonials).
      LOL!!! But it seems many places pump up the nonsense.

      have you had a little fun reading some?

      I love the ones right after an absolutely stellar review says,
      "That last review must have been a fake one by the owners because
      this place sucks!"

      Because google gleans info from yellow pages and other real directories,
      they take a lot of the listings as the truth as far as "relevance" goes.

      If you are listed under plumbers in a main LA directory, chances are,
      you don't even need to submit your site. One reason why franchises
      like home depot show up all over the place. And you know they did
      not submit thousands of locals.

      If people narrow their search down, and you have location and relevance,
      that should trump any ratings.

      Plumbers London is such a broad search. I have seen results where
      they are listed as to the number of ratings on file. The one with the
      most, wins top billing.

      I know when I do a local search, I load up google maps, go to
      the neighborhood and do a search. I can't say how many others
      do that, but it narrows it down to exactly where you want. Then
      location trumps everything.

      Paul
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  • Profile picture of the author yukon
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    One thing I've noticed about a lot of offline business listed on the net (yelp, etc...) they include Google maps, embeded in their sites.

    I think Google likes to see it's own Google Maps promoted on external sites, & linked to the business address.

    I have a business directory I'm working on now, Google maps will be included.
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    • Profile picture of the author paulgl
      Originally Posted by yukon View Post

      One thing I've noticed about a lot of offline business listed on the net (yelp, etc...) they include Google maps, embeded in their sites.

      I think Google likes to see it's own Google Maps promoted on external sites, & linked to the business address.

      I have a business directory I'm working on now, Google maps will be included.
      Hey, don't know if that's true, but one S-L-ick observation!

      Paul
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      • Profile picture of the author Gdetonator
        Originally Posted by paulgl View Post

        Hey, don't know if that's true, but one S-L-ick observation!

        Paul
        Yea, I guess that would all be true cos the well ranked local business sites all have Google maps integrated on their site which is one of the tools Google gives you when you register on Google places and it comes natural with the business address and also learn more about citing, it helps a lot
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  • Profile picture of the author Fraggler
    An embedded Google Map I guess would also help confirm that the locations do match.
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  • Profile picture of the author aw
    Try the plugin SEO Pressor. It's excellent for local.
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  • Profile picture of the author Gdetonator
    Originally Posted by mince001 View Post

    Could someone please explain how you rank high for google places? Do you just do basic on page seo and off page seo?
    I think it's more of citing instead of backlinking
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  • Profile picture of the author mcconnon12
    Citations are important, but it looks as Google is starting to incorporate the place page with the actual site so obviously having good on page and off page seo is important. Make sure to pick proper categories and complete the entire listing with photos, videos, etc... You can geo tag your photos too. Make sure the address in your citations is exactly the same when listing on other sites. No reason to backlink your place page, but backlink your other citation sources. Hope that helps!
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