How does google choose the local searches?
-
In a larger city (london for example) when there are dozens of one specific industry, how does Google choose who to show in their local results?
For example if I type "solicitor london" it shows me 7 local results, but I know there are far more than 7 solicitors in London. Do they change as frequently as the rest of the serps or is there something you can do to ensure you get in that local search?
Added to this, does being part of a chain/franchise make a difference?
Help/thoughts/advice would be appreciated.
-
Super, Gordon! So glad my reply was helpful and happy reading!
-
Thanks Miriam, that's given me plenty to go on!
-
Hi Gordon,
Good question! Just like in organic search, there are several hundred factors that go into determining Google's local rankings. No one but a few people at Google actually know what these factors are, but Local SEOs have been able to pin some of the most evident factors down.
Since 2008, David Mihm has held an annual industry survey to determine expert opinion on what the top local ranking factors are. Here is the 2013 edition of this survey:
moz.com/local-search-ranking-factors
If you're new to Local and are struggling to understand the nuances of the factors, this Moz post will give you a visual walk-through of the top 20 local search ranking factors:
http://moz.com/blog/top-20-local-search-ranking-factors-an-illustrated-guide
Recently, Moz has launched some exciting new tools in the localsphere, along with a substantial free education resource. You can really jumpstart your own education if you visit the Moz Local Learning Center at:
For more free educational resources for beginning Local SEOs, check out:
http://moz.com/blog/free-local-seo-education-for-businesses-on-a-shoestring-budget
With this education in hand, you will begin to understand how to promote a local business so that it can compete with its local competitors for inclusion in Google's all-important local pack results.
I sincerely hope these resources will get you off to a super start!
-
As Gary said there are many factors included in local search such as the optimization of that page, natural ranking, local citations, etc. If you want to see how you are doing, click the "Map results for solicitor london" link under the 7 pack and go to "list all results." This should be your rankings for local.
-
Ranking in local results has many factors.
The first thing you need to know is that the results are a mixture of natural rankings and local
Here is one way to see where sites rank naturally without the local listings
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=solicitor+london&num=10&start=1 This link will exclude the very first result (whoever ranks #1), I have not found another way to do this.Once you have determined who ranks naturally and who ranks for local, you can start to figure out what is going on.
It all comes down to optimization of your local page and citations from various places and a trust level from your domain including quality score.There are some great people in here that can explain in depth about how to optimize your local business page so that you get a top 7 position
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Verifying Google My Business After An Address Change
Hello,
Local Listings | | Ben-R
We are trying to verify our Google My Business listing, however, the current unverified listing is using an old address we no longer have access to. The only option for verification is through the mail. We tried requesting an edit but it didn’t go through. Would the best option be to create a new one and try to have the old (unverified) listing removed? Any insight would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Best,0 -
Where does the small description on a business listing come from in google maps?
Hi All, Simple question, but I'm struggling to find the answer, so I hope someone is able to help. The business I run is Oakdene Forest Park; Google Maps URL: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Oakdene™+Forest+Park/@50.8114372,-1.8598721,18z/data=!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x4873980ce90e4ef7:0x755579d631c25b33!2sOakdene™+Forest+Park!8m2!3d50.8114796!4d-1.8582842!3m4!1s0x4873980ce90e4ef7:0x755579d631c25b33!8m2!3d50.8114796!4d-1.8582842?hl=en Under the business name, it has a small description and for the life of me I don't know where Google is getting it from because a part of it is wrong. It looks like this: Oakdene™ Forest Park Rural Resort with Entertainment & a Spa I would like to remove the term 'Rural Resort' but where do I find it?? Thanks in advance for your help.
Local Listings | | Shorefield_Holidays0 -
Where does text in Google business listing description come from?
Had a question from a freelance project I'm working on and have to admit..I was stumped. When you Google the business "Salute Market Palm Beach Gardens", in the right sidebar there is a short description that reads "This patio bar serves small plates, wine & cocktails in a cozy space with an attached upscale deli." I have no idea where that text is coming from or where it is controlled..thoughts? Thanks! Ricky
Local Listings | | RickyShockley0 -
How do you select a Google category for the SERPs?
Recently I was looking up law schools in Texas and came across a SERP listing I had never seen before. Google provided the category "law school" and narrowed it down by geographic location. I checked the code on both websites for schema and was unable to locate it. Furthermore, one GMB listing was claimed and another was not. I'm wondering why both Texas A&M School of Law and Houston College of Law showed up but University of Texas Law School did not. I have attached a screenshot of the SERP to see if anyone has seen this before or can provide any insight. Search term was "list of law schools in texas" but the same snippet showed up for "best law schools in texas." Thanks 8XHvZt4.png
Local Listings | | DigitalMarketingSEO0 -
Have You Used Twitter For Google My Business Support?
Hey Everybody! If you've been doing Local for some years, chances are, you remember those dark days in the past when there was zero Google local support. You could post something in their forum, but that was pretty much your only hope. It was an absolutely amazing day when they finally rolled out phone support, and I'm still very grateful that this exists, but just this week, I learned about another way to contact support. Joy Hawkins has surfaced a Twitter account you can tweet when in need of assistance and she says its not only really fast, but that the help is US-based (which would be great for US users). I'd never heard of this before and wondered if any of you have tried it, and what response times and overall satisfaction you experienced with it. If you've not tried it yet and are experiencing a local client conundrum, maybe give it a try and let our community here know how it went?
Local Listings | | MiriamEllis5 -
Local Citation Building Services Similar to Yext
I have several clients looking for local submission services similar to Yext (since they are already subsribers). Can anyone suggest a service similar to Yext for an SBO. Likewise, do any of you know any local citation services that are similar to Yext, but specifically for the hotel/hospitality industry? I was considering localeze.com, but I'm skeptical because I believe the citations I will be getting there will be similar to the ones I'm getting on Yext. Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Local Listings | | maxcarnage1 -
Worried about changing local SEO homepage tactic
Our current home page is texty, talking about why choose us and general information on what the service involves. We are currently developing a new web design and content architecture involving moving all the content out of the home page, and making the homepage a beautiful guide to the site, as is the best practice. I think the home page will generally result in a better user experience. SEO: we currently rank second for "service city" (going to our homepage). Our domain is service-city.co.uk. While the change is going to involve us adding lots of new good-quality pages with new keyword targets, our most important keyword by far is "service city" and the home page would probably still be the most appropriate page for that keyword. And I'm gravely worried the change will negatively impact this keyword. I would appreciate your thoughts
Local Listings | | Cooper10 -
Wrong Category Displaying Google Business Page?
Our firm keeps displaying "bankruptcy attorney" on google business page. Granted, we do that, as well as a variety of other services, but our primary category is "Personal Injury Attorney". I was told the categories are randomly selected, but I don't think that's true. Every time I've looked (or had other people look for us) on local, it displays as "bankruptcy attorney." What should I do? Is there a way to lock in the "Personal Injury Attorney" category, so it's the one that displays? Should I get rid of all the other categories except for "personal injury attorney?" Any other suggestion? Thanks, Ruben
Local Listings | | KempRugeLawGroup0