Ways To Rank & Optimize Google Places (Maps) Listing - Local SEO

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  • SEO
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I have been doing a lot of research on local seo and asking my clients where their best leads come from. After collecting the survey and the most popular answer was when they ranked on Google Places (A-F on Maps for local search results) they received the most phone calls.


This makes a lot of sense that searchers will skip above the fold ads and websites and go straight to the listings with addresses, directions, and a map.


What I need help with is finding out how to rank Google Places listings. Here are the current optimization strategies I do but haven't seen good results yet.



1. Having local citations on yelp, yellowpages, city search, merchant circle that match with the Google places address, phone, website etc. help.
2. Using as many categories relevant to your services as possible
3. Having an active Google + account that manages the Google Places listing
4. Getting real reviews on the listing
5. Including the city and keywords in the description


Here is what I am guessing might help rankings
1. Building backlinks to the Google Places listing
2. Getting more followers on Google +
3. Sharing the Google Places listing on social media networks especially Youtube and interlinking all of them.
4. Have a Press Release sent out with your Google Business page linked


Has anyone successfully ranked Google business listings? If so, what strategy did you use?
#google #google business listings #google places #listing #local #local seo #maps #optimize #places #rank #seo #ways
  • Here's a strategy that helps to rank Google Places pages higher:
    Place the business's website URL in the Google Places page, and build high quality backlinks to both the website URL and the Google Places page. Try this technique, it works!
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  • Profile picture of the author SoCal Digital
    Yes I forgot to mention that I include the actual website and social media links on the Google Places page.

    Thanks for letting us know that building quality links to the Google places page is effective
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    Search engine optimization and social media marketing services http://www.socaldigitalmarketing.com

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    • FYI linking to the Place page has been discussed by myself and other top local industry leaders like Mike Blumenthal and we all agree it's not a ranking factor.

      The local algo has over 300 ranking factors. It's like a giant complicated puzzle. Only a few factors are right on the G+ Local page.

      The ranking order for the pack is largely controlled by organic ranking factors. There is distinct correlation you can see clear as day when you analyze the PURE organic rankings and compare to the pack.


      That's why you can see a bare unclaimed G+ L page in the A spot that has zero reviews and nothing going for it. It's the strength of the website.

      But additionally the G+L page needs to be set up right with no violations. Because if there are problems on the Places side of the house it can leave you with a high organic ranking but locked out of the 7 pack. This is what I call a "disconnected listing".

      # of reviews and citations help too and are part of the puzzle, but organic is the deciding factor in ranking order with the current local algo.

      I've done lots of posts about it with screenshots that pretty much prove it. And can tell you how to verify this for yourself if you are curious to investigate more.



      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 mykrc1982
        Originally Posted by Catalyst eMarketing View Post

        FYI linking to the Place page has been discussed by myself and other top local industry leaders like Mike Blumenthal and we all agree it's not a ranking factor.

        The local algo has over 300 ranking factors. It's like a giant complicated puzzle. Only a few factors are right on the G+ Local page.

        The ranking order for the pack is largely controlled by organic ranking factors. There is distinct correlation you can see clear as day when you analyze the PURE organic rankings and compare to the pack.


        That's why you can see a bare unclaimed G+ L page in the A spot that has zero reviews and nothing going for it. It's the strength of the website.

        But additionally the G+L page needs to be set up right with no violations. Because if there are problems on the Places side of the house it can leave you with a high organic ranking but locked out of the 7 pack. This is what I call a "disconnected listing".

        # of reviews and citations help too and are part of the puzzle, but organic is the deciding factor in ranking order with the current local algo.

        I've done lots of posts about it with screenshots that pretty much prove it. And can tell you how to verify this for yourself if you are curious to investigate more.




        I'm definitely interested if you're offering. How can I take you up on this?
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        • Originally Posted by mykrc1982 View Post

          I'm definitely interested if you're offering. How can I take you up on this?
          So sorry missed your post.

          Don't think I can link out here, but all the information, the screenshots that show you how to do it for yourself and the free tools I use are in the following post.

          Google: "How the Google Local Algo Really Works - What Rules the Ranking Order"

          Enjoy!
          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 RedShifted
    /\ Agree with above.

    I have backlinked my G local before and saw absolutely no improvements from it.

    I have ranked a few listings in the top 3 and the way I do it is pretty simple.

    1) Build an awesome, large, authority type site with tons of geotargeted content.
    2) Make sure your on page is good.
    3) What I do is outsource citations. I pay for 350 and get them drip fed over a couple of months.
    4) Then I start hitting up yahoo local, yellow pages, kudzu, insider pages and merchant circle with reviews. I generally do 1 a week on each listing.
    5) I also drip feed reviews to my G local usually aiming for 1 review every week.
    6) I outsource map citations on fiver.

    That's really it. I do a lot more on the sites themself like SEO, huge YT channels, etc but what I feel helps the most is reviews first, and citations second.

    Make sure you have a great site. Filled out with lots of relevant content. Then just work on reviews and citations until your listing starts to ranking and gain prominence.

    I know there are tons of other factors that play a role but I really believe nothing beats good old reviews and citations.
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    • @Red

      Do you think map citations still help?
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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 akazo
      Originally Posted by RedShifted View Post

      / Agree with above.

      I have backlinked my G local before and saw absolutely no improvements from it.

      I have ranked a few listings in the top 3 and the way I do it is pretty simple.

      1) Build an awesome, large, authority type site with tons of geotargeted content.
      2) Make sure your on page is good.
      3) What I do is outsource citations. I pay for 350 and get them drip fed over a couple of months.
      4) Then I start hitting up yahoo local, yellow pages, kudzu, insider pages and merchant circle with reviews. I generally do 1 a week on each listing.
      5) I also drip feed reviews to my G local usually aiming for 1 review every week.
      6) I outsource map citations on fiver.

      That's really it. I do a lot more on the sites themself like SEO, huge YT channels, etc but what I feel helps the most is reviews first, and citations second.

      Make sure you have a great site. Filled out with lots of relevant content. Then just work on reviews and citations until your listing starts to ranking and gain prominence.

      I know there are tons of other factors that play a role but I really believe nothing beats good old reviews and citations.
      Red, who do you use for citations? If you can share.
      Thanks!
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    • Profile picture of the author Electrical
      Originally Posted by RedShifted View Post

      / Agree with above.

      I have backlinked my G local before and saw absolutely no improvements from it.

      I have ranked a few listings in the top 3 and the way I do it is pretty simple.

      1) Build an awesome, large, authority type site with tons of geotargeted content.
      2) Make sure your on page is good.
      3) What I do is outsource citations. I pay for 350 and get them drip fed over a couple of months.
      4) Then I start hitting up yahoo local, yellow pages, kudzu, insider pages and merchant circle with reviews. I generally do 1 a week on each listing.
      5) I also drip feed reviews to my G local usually aiming for 1 review every week.
      6) I outsource map citations on fiver.

      That's really it. I do a lot more on the sites themself like SEO, huge YT channels, etc but what I feel helps the most is reviews first, and citations second.

      Make sure you have a great site. Filled out with lots of relevant content. Then just work on reviews and citations until your listing starts to ranking and gain prominence.

      I know there are tons of other factors that play a role but I really believe nothing beats good old reviews and citations.
      Do you drip feed the reviews and citations yourself or use someone?

      I'd like to have this done.
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      • Profile picture of the author RedShifted
        Originally Posted by Catalyst eMarketing View Post

        @Red

        Do you think map citations still help?
        Yes I do.

        I usually do regular citations first then the second or third month I do the map citations. And last time I got them, exactly 2 weeks later I saw an obvious spike in traffic. I can't say 100% the map citations caused it, but instincts tell me they did.

        Plus they're so cheap I think its a no-brainer. This is the guy I use -

        create 30 maps citation for Google local page - fiverr


        Originally Posted by akazo View Post

        Red, who do you use for citations? If you can share.
        Thanks!
        I use these guys -

        Pricing & Plans

        I get the 350 package. However, I always contact them first for a custom dripfeed. I ask them to drip feed in smaller batches over the course of 2 months.

        Originally Posted by Electrical View Post

        Do you drip feed the reviews and citations yourself or use someone?

        I'd like to have this done.
        The way I do my reviews is a bit too blackhat to talk about here.

        Let's just say I use facebook in 2 different ways -

        1) I prewrite about 75-100 reviews, and make them all original as possible. Then I contact friends and family on facebook, give them a review, a link, and tell them to post it. 90% of the time they comply. And everytime a review is left I go back into msword and highlight it in red (so I know its already been used).

        2) My "secret weapon". I maintain a private group for NJ residents / business owners who need reviews. It's basically just a bartering group for reviews. But right now I'm not accepting new members. If you're from NJ (your location says you are) and want to get in, send me your info and I will put you on a waiting list for screening.

        Hope that helps

        -RS
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        • Originally Posted by RedShifted View Post

          Yes I do.

          I usually do regular citations first then the second or third month I do the map citations. And last time I got them, exactly 2 weeks later I saw an obvious spike in traffic. I can't say 100% the map citations caused it, but instincts tell me they did.

          Plus they're so cheap I think its a no-brainer. This is the guy I use -

          create 30 maps citation for Google local page - fiverr
          Google is all-knowing and all-seeing. I just think it would be easy for them to connect the dots and see that some guy in India just created 35 maps for a Chiropractor in Dallas.

          I help people AFTER they are penalized all day long. So would be careful doing things that could get a client in trouble. It's their business at stake afterall.

          And fake reviews are even illegal so I'd be really careful about that.
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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 Dentist
          Originally Posted by RedShifted View Post

          Yes I do.

          I usually do regular citations first then the second or third month I do the map citations. And last time I got them, exactly 2 weeks later I saw an obvious spike in traffic. I can't say 100% the map citations caused it, but instincts tell me they did.

          Plus they're so cheap I think its a no-brainer. This is the guy I use -

          create 30 maps citation for Google local page - fiverr




          I use these guys -

          Pricing & Plans

          I get the 350 package. However, I always contact them first for a custom dripfeed. I ask them to drip feed in smaller batches over the course of 2 months.



          The way I do my reviews is a bit too blackhat to talk about here.

          Let's just say I use facebook in 2 different ways -

          1) I prewrite about 75-100 reviews, and make them all original as possible. Then I contact friends and family on facebook, give them a review, a link, and tell them to post it. 90% of the time they comply. And everytime a review is left I go back into msword and highlight it in red (so I know its already been used).

          2) My "secret weapon". I maintain a private group for NJ residents / business owners who need reviews. It's basically just a bartering group for reviews. But right now I'm not accepting new members. If you're from NJ (your location says you are) and want to get in, send me your info and I will put you on a waiting list for screening.

          Hope that helps

          -RS
          Hi,

          One of our websites has already good listings on Yelp, Facebook, and a bunch of other important ones. When using this second website, have you ever experienced them messing up with the listings that already exist, or they always just go for new listings?

          Thank you,
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  • Profile picture of the author SoCal Digital
    Thanks for the great responses red and catalyst. I have been researching this topic a bit more and the general consensus is what you both said.

    Get local citations that all have the same NAP (name address and phone), then on the top local citations get real reviews. I also keep seeing that posting Youtube videos and images on the Google + page helps
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    • You're welcome SoCal Digital!

      You PMed me wanting to read the full post and see screenshots to understand how I analyze and reverse engineer the algo. Wanted to share here for anyone else that wants to see.

      I don't think I can link out so just Google: "How the Google Local Algo Really Works - What Rules the Ranking Order"

      That was talking about the "blended algo". In Oct 13 in changed somewhat and some experts thought it switched to more of a pure local/maps algo. But I never thought it did. And now it's clearly back to the organic blended algo I show in that post.

      The tools I use are free so you can use them yourself to compare results for your exact keywords in your specific market.

      Just realize the ranking order will match up EXCEPT if someone that ranks high in organic, has a Places/maps penalty or NAP issue or dupes or other problem on the Places side of the house then they will drop out of the pack and skew your results. But you can still totally match it up in your head or in a graphic like I show with the arrows in the diagram.

      Happy algo chasing! :p
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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 thefsboking
    I have one site now that is doing well even after two years of neglect. What works today for obtaining an address to use for Google Places?
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    Mike Williams

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  • Profile picture of the author SoCal Digital
    So I wanted to update this post, so far I have created 30 citations using the providers that Red shared. They do provide a good service for a small fee

    I also uploaded new pictures & posts to the Google Places page. I was able to get 3 real reviews from previous clients over the past 3 weeks and still the page is in the same position.

    I also got reviews for 10 of the top local citations such as Yelp, Insiderpages, Yellowpages, superpages, kudzu, hotfrog, city search etc. This seems to have 0 benefit so far.

    I wonder now if I am not doing enough in terms of local citations & reviews? I'm trying to drip feed this naturally rather than post 4+ reviews in one week
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    Search engine optimization and social media marketing services http://www.socaldigitalmarketing.com

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    • Profile picture of the author 9999
      Very interesting and knowledgeable thread. There are some good points , good to see a discuss on the local level.
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  • Profile picture of the author emdagenais
    Who can post reviews that actually sticks?
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  • Profile picture of the author gokhlesh
    For a local business, social media platforms play a significant role in deciding its local search rankings. Social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, StumbleUpon, YouTube and many others give a wide array of opportunities for positive brand exposure to your local audiences.
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    • Profile picture of the author 9999
      Great thread, thanks Red for all your info!
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