What drives the position of the local pack in a google SERP?
-
I have noticed that sometimes search results appear above the local pack, and sometimes the local pack is right at the top. What causes this? is there a way to induce it?
-
HI Mike...
I'd love to discuss with you a couple of my findings, any chance you're on Skype?
-
In general we have found that if a local site has a significantly higher PA or DA and no Local places account it will rank above the Maps.
-
I believe distance from the city center has also become extremely important. It seems this took a back seat for a while, but may have made a comeback.
-
Local ranking factors has a lot in common to regular search ranking factors including quality and quantity of links, content LDA score, and several other metrics.
However, there are lot of other metrics that Google generally looks at to rank a site locally.
-
local place page with correct information ( address, correct category, phone # , map icon)
-
Profiles on local directories ( superpages, citysearch.com, angielists ..)
-
Local citations (links from local directories and sites like chamber of commerce, BBB, local small business groups)
-
reviews (Google and other local websites like Yelp, citysearch, judysbook)
Here is a link to a website that provides extensive research work on local ranking factors.
Here is another links to awesome SMX Seattle 2011 breakaway session on local ranking factors.
-
-
Hmm I'm curious about this too..
One of things I've noticed is that Google more often shows the local pack first when it's a singular search term, like "hair salon miami" and search results first when it's a plural search like "hair salons miami" I've seen this pattern a lot, so I think that might be one of the factors.
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
-
Localized SEO for Restricted Niches
Sorry for the hypothetical, it's a sticky subject! Suppose I work for a company that offers Online Widget Counseling. Due to the fragile nature of Widgets, this service is only legal in one state and must be administered by a registered and regulated Widget Counseling company. Widget counseling is only available online so there is no competition from bricks and mortar stores. Unfortunately the SERPs are dominated by unscrupulous black market outfits offering Widget Counseling illegally. If we were to use intensive and strong local signals, could we expect the SERPs to favor our pages for searches "in or about" the state in which we are registered? Thanks for your help -SEO Newbie
Image & Video Optimization | | bbarber570 -
Carousel bumped us out of our local ranking
Nearly every post I've seen on Carousel states that "the rankings basically stay the same" but that hasn't been the case for one of my hospitality sites. The site went from being in the top 3 of local listings but when Carousel hit the site got bumped. We have high quality images, reviews, citations...we even added some newer, better photos but aside from that I'm a bit stumped as to what steps to take next. Anyone else get bumped by Carousel or have thoughts on any other factors which I might be missing out on?
Image & Video Optimization | | NetvantageMarketing0 -
Local Citation NAP: Comma difference
Hello, Is there a difference between: 111 Streetname #L, City, CA, 84111 and then on facebook it's 111 Streetname #L City, CA 84111 on two different lines? Note on the first one, there is a comma after #L and on the two line facebook page citation, there's no comma after #L. Should I add a comma on facebook after the #L? Thanks!
Image & Video Optimization | | BobGW1 -
A lot of local SEO questions from a newbie...
I've been doing basic SEO for customers for quite awhile now in terms of on-page stuff, but am starting to move into the arena of local SEO services and had a few questions that I hoped you guys could help with. 1. What services besides Google+ Local do you list customers websites in, such as Yahoo or Bing Local? 2. When creating accounts at the services listed question #1, do you have to verify the phone number that's listed with the business owner or is there any extra type of verification needed? How do you deal with getting all that verified for the company? 3. Do you create all these listings at Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc. from the same account? 4. Does anyone know of a list of the top 50 places to get local citations such as Yelp or YellowPages? 5. When creating citations do you normally have to verify the phone number or address that you list and how do you deal with that with business owners? 6. Do you use the same accounts to create all the local citations or are different ones required for each listing? 7. What companies would you recommend that handle all the above for you, such as a setting up accounts at Google, Yahoo, and Bing - and then also creating around 50 citations for you? Of course all the login information would also need to be provided for everything they create. Thanks for taking the time to read this post, I look forward to hearing back from all of you!
Image & Video Optimization | | ChaseCameron0 -
Google Places categories
I work with a Local SEO company for troubleshooting our Google Places and optimization. They suggested that in order for us to rank for the keywords we provided them with they need to change the categories. Now, those categories do not exist in Google Places and I read on Seomoz and Google help forum that we should choose from the ones in the list provided by Google. I also know that Categories should not contain location-based information. Should I let them do that?
Image & Video Optimization | | echo10 -
Google images indexing on no-index html page?
Hi, I wonder if a image can get indexed, included in google images if it is located on a html page with a no-follow tag? Thanks for your help.
Image & Video Optimization | | wildnis0 -
Is creating great content not important for Local seo?
I'm helping a friend out with Local SEO/Google Places and his content is lacking - no blog, no articles, etc. I've read the major "How To" guides for Local seo by Andrew Shotland and David Mihm and their ranking factors but I never see anything about content or linkbuilding (aside from directories).
Image & Video Optimization | | seo_f20120 -
Issues with google places.
Hey there! A few weeks ago I made some changes to my client's "google places page". I am facing two issues there which I could not resolve on my own, they are: After I made changes and updated the page I could not see any activity on the analytics section whereas before I updated the page there was some metrics visible. The client had already claimed his places page before he came to me and entered some information. He just stuffed some keywords in the description section. I made necessary changes to the description based on the best practices for places page and according to Google's guideline for creating a great listing.The problem is the category did not update on the places page that show up in SERPs(it ranks top for four major keywords with geo indicators). However, the changes I made does appear when on the lower left side when I login into my places page. I don't see any link that will let me edit "description". Am I confusing some other section with category? I have tried to be as lucid as possible. I will appreciate any help. Thanks for your time. epMp kPWpf
Image & Video Optimization | | virtualhandshake0