How can I improve my rank on Google Local?
-
I am bringing this topic up again. Last year, I suddenly stopped ranking for Google Local search results. I tried backing away and hoping it would correct itself, but it has not. When I do a search for myself, I rarely show up in the results anymore, and this image shows AFTER I've zoomed WAY in just to find myself. I think it has something to do with many fishing charters having the same address. I read the Moz article about which signals are most important, but to be quite honest, I don't think any of these competitors really bother with SEO or even have filled out their Google My Business in its entirety. They all have way less reviews than I do as well. I really try to do everything right, but it doesn't seem to help. Is there something small ad obvious that I am missing. Any ideas on what to do?
-
Hi Calico,
You're welcome, and that's good you're not seeing anything in Google Search Console to indicate a problem.
Also want to highlight something you've said:
"I will do the audit, but my first thoughts looking at it, is that the other fishing charters around me don't really do anything for SEO, so they will likely score low. "
The purpose of you doing this audit will be to take the top competitor who isn't being filtered out for your most important keyword phrase, compare his metrics to yours, and then see if going through that process helps you figure out a reason why something he is doing is making him strong enough not to be filtered, compared to your business. So definitely do be sure you are picking that top ranking competitor who is showing up for the term most important to you.
I'd really like to hear what you discover from the audit.
-
How would I know if I have suspicious links? I don't see any penalties or anything in Google Webmaster tools.
-
Miriam,
Yes, we talked about this at length before! I just looked at your article and it is a really good article. I will do the audit, but my first thoughts looking at it, is that the other fishing charters around me don't really do anything for SEO, so they will likely score low. Also, who shows up as first depending on the search term I use seems almost completely random. So for instance, when I us an incognito window and do a search for "fishing charter cape canaveral", this should be the one that I should show up in the top. It is my city, and the word fishing charter is in my name. Along with everything else I do. But the top 3 spots are puzzling.
1. A private fishing charter (close competitor) with 18 reviews with a 5 star rating and not fully utilizing all of the available options. The website is average.
2. A party boat with 212 reviews and a 4 star rating. This is the only fishing business out there that seems to have a good handle on SEO, So I would expect this.
3. The REAL KICKER.... a party boat that has been CLOSED FOR over 3 YEARS!!!! They have 29 reviews with a 2.2 star rating!!!!!!! The last review being 4 years ago. I even reported them as closed a couple of years ago.
I use ALL of the google features and do the best I can on SEO given I am a small business and cannot afford professional SEO. But neither can the other fishing charters, except maybe the party boats. Also, I have 86 reviews with a 5 star rating. I recently updated my website, but I am sure it could be better. I have also been using Google+ to post. And I have been doing more youtube videos.
I do appreciate the tip on the posts and the q&a, and I will be doing that for sure!
-
Hi CalicoKitty!
I remember your previous thread that you and I were working on when Possum rolled out and your listing was filtered out by it. Since then, there has been the Hawk update, which was basically Google rolling back some of the stringency of this filter that was affecting you, but it sounds like the set of business at your marina are likely still experiencing filters due to so many being co-located.
Unfortunately, when this is the case, the only thing you can do is become strong enough to be one of the results Google does show instead of being one of the filtered ones. Barring that you have any Google penalties, suspicious links or anything like that keeping you back, basically, what you need to do is a competitive audit. You need to compare a big list of metrics for your business to the metrics of the competitor who isn't being filtered. This blog post of mine from 2017 will give you a spreadsheet for doing just that:
https://moz.com/blog/basic-local-competitive-audit
In every area where your competitor is stronger than you, you need to increase your metrics.
I will add here that since publication of that post, there are two new-ish things I'd be working on that I don't believe are included in the spreadsheet. If I felt I had done all I can to surpass my competitor, based on the spreadsheet metrics, I would create a really good strategy for:
I am seeing early days indications that active use of both may increase rankings. So, I'd be sure you are covering all of the basics in the audit sheet and then create strategy around these.
After you've done the audit, if any questions arise, please come back to this thread and ask. I'm happy to hear back from you on this.
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
-
Google my business phone reporting? Doesnt cross state lines.
We have a branch in Toledo Ohio, which is close to the Michigan border. Cleary we get calls for direction from Michigan customers. However, our phone reporting does not cross the state line. Any ideas? This happens at other branches that cross state lines as well.
Reviews and Ratings | | bakergraphix_yahoo.com0 -
Google Removed All Anonymous Reviews from GMB Listings with No Warning
I just saw that Google is no longer accepting anonymous reviews for businesses, and in fact have REMOVED all current anonymous reviews. This just happened in late May, but I'm pretty surprised there hasn't been any talk about this, it's a pretty big deal. Before I knew this I called their "specialists" to ask why we lost so many reviews. I specifically asked if Google had changed their review requirements that would result in old reviews being removed. She said no. She's either not well informed or just lied. https://orthopreneur.com/anonymous-google-reviews-disappeared/ My company just lost 20+ positive reviews. Anyone else hurting from the change and finding solutions?
Reviews and Ratings | | HammerandHand1 -
How I can improve Local SEO in 2018
Hi. I have already applied this strategy: Capture Your Space on All Local Business Directories. Leverage the Power of Local Link Building Focus on Reviews and Ratings Use Local Structured Data Markup What could I do to improve my strategy in 2018?
Reviews and Ratings | | martinxm1 -
Local Business Page Ranking Issue
**Concern:- **Please try to understand my concern. I'm not worried or talking about my ranking. #1. Business Name - Law Office of Paul M. Marriett
Reviews and Ratings | | jeenu_svs
Address - 308 West State Street #97 B, Rockford, IL 61101 #2. Business Name - Law Office Of Brendan Caver, Ltd.
Address - 308 W State St #96, Rockford, IL 61101 These are two business pages and both have different location as you can see in mentioned address. If #1 (Law Office of Paul M. Marriett) ranked on any keyword then #2 (Law Office Of Brendan Caver, Ltd.) does not appear anywhere in result. That's not for a single keyword. Issue is running for all keywords Approx (8-10). Keywords :-
DUI Lawyer Rockford,
DUI Attorney Rockford,
Criminal Lawyer Rockford,
Criminal Attorney Rockford,
DUI Lawyer Rockford IL,
DUI Attorney Rockford IL,
Criminal Lawyer Rockford IL,
Criminal Defense Attorney Rockford, Law Office of Paul M. Marriett ranked for upper mentioned keyword and you can see Law Office Of Brendan Caver, Ltd. is not appear anywhere in search.
....................................................................................................................................................................................... Keywords :-
Best Criminal Attorney Rockford IL,
Best Criminal Lawyer Rockford IL,
Best Criminal Lawyer Rockford,
Best Criminal Attorney Rockford,
Best DUI Lawyer Rockford,
Best DUI Lawyer Rockford IL,
Criminal Defense Lawyer Rockford,
Criminal Defense Lawyer Rockford IL,
Criminal Defense Attorney Rockford IL, Law Office Of Brendan Caver, Ltd. is ranked for upper mention keywords and Law Office of Paul M. Marriett is not appear anywhere in search.
Please check deeply and let me know.0 -
Local Search for Home Businesses
I'm a home based business. I know Google has cracked down on PO boxes and UPS locations. What is one to do if they work from home but don't conduct business with clients from their home office? How can I get an address that's Google-approved?
Reviews and Ratings | | FathomMarketing1 -
Ups store and local listings
HI,
Reviews and Ratings | | corn2015
Does google look negatively if an address is at a UPS store? A client has their address there because they don't have a physical locaiton yet. Corn1 -
Publishing testimonials on your site that are from your Google + (or other review sites page)
Ive got a site with some good Google + Reviews and some other good reviews on other sites that id like to be able to publish on a testimonials page on our website, but im worried about being penalised for duplicate content. Any idea of the best way to get these reviews on to our website, i was thinking about placing the text in as an image, but id prefer to do something semantic if at all possible. (I know that some review sites have javascript widgets you can use to pull in your reviews but for most of the sites we are reviewed on they dont)
Reviews and Ratings | | Sam-P0 -
How to Google Product Reviews?
Hello, I have a client that sells only 1 item. What will be the best way to start getting reviews? I thought about opening a placess account, so the reviews will also start showing on his Adwords campaign. Or can I get products reviews on google+ ? Thanks
Reviews and Ratings | | ogdcorp0