How do you deal with Google knowledge graph showing competitor for a generic query?
-
Search for keywords like criminal defense lawyer detroit or criminal defense lawyer detroit mi and Google knowledge graph is highlighting one competitor. No maps results are shown. How have others dealt with this situation? I know others have noticed this too: http://www.webpronews.com/sometimes-googles-knowledge-graph-highlights-brands-for-generic-queries-2013-10
-
Hi Adam
Sorry for the confusion - what I was getting at is the reason your competitor may be appearing for a generic keyword is because (if they are local to you) they have shown Google that they are associated with a certain keyword and are located by the searcher. For instance, when I search a generic term like "coffee" in my search, I get 5 businesses that pop up around me, or within a close proximity of me, in Chicago.
Same when I search "mechanic", "wine", and "ice skating". Depending on what you are searching, I was saying that local search optimization can have a heavy hand in what appears in the SERPs for your search.
Now, beyond that, Google also takes into consideration branding. Even then, elements of what I was speaking of above still stand.
Here are a couple of references:
Brands, Google Plus and the Knowledge Graph: A Love Triangle (Moz)
Understanding the Knowledge Graph and Optimizing it for Your Brand (Kahena)What I am getting at here, is your competitor may be a big enough brand that Google is associating them with that broad/generic search you are talking about.
If I am not answering your question, again, I apologize and will step back - but I just think these elements above are worthy of your time and research, and will assist you in your chances of appearing as well. Take a look at your competitor though to see if they are taking the same steps - I am willing to bet they are!
Hope this helps a bit more - good luck!
-
Thanks, but your answer gives basic local SEO tactics, and doesn't answer my question. My question is what to do when a competitor is shown in the Knowledge Graph for a generic search (they should only be showing in the knowledge graph if they are searched for by name). For some reason Google is confusing the generic keyword with this company's name, it seems.
-
Hi Adam
I would take a look at the following:
Google My Business - You may already be on this and have your client's business set up on this, but in case you don't, this a great place to start. Google uses the information from your profile and location to help your business rank for local searches that pertain to your industry. Here are some great tips from Google My Business and Search Engine Watch to help you get started, or to check your current situation. I would also make sure your categories are correct.
Moz Local + Whitespark - These are citation services that assist your business and it's locations get listed correctly. Moz offers managed citations - meaning if you change your business address or information, you can quickly change this in your listings. Whitespark doesn't offer managed listings, but they do focus on niche and industry driven listings. I would evaluate both and see which one works best for you.
Schema.org - Schema.org is a markup language for search engine crawlers to help them better find and understand important information on a website. You can mark almost anything on your website up from company name, address, telephone number, and logo, to images, videos, keywords, titles, biographies, job titles, and more. It's pretty indepth and will take some work, but the payoffs are pretty spectacular.Ultimate Local SEO Audit - Local search is a never ending task. That being said, you should routinely be checking your information on the web to ensure that it's correct and up to date as search engines use this information in their listings, such as Knowledge Graph. This resource from Moz will be an extremely handy and valuable tool going forward.
Beyond that Adam, I would say check your competitor's listings, social engagement, content, and even their traditional PR tactics. I would also check both your backlink profiles in Majestic to see if they have listings or partnerships/accreditation/certifications/endorsements you don't, and start applying those opportunities in your digital and traditional marketing efforts.
There's a lot here, so if you have any more questions, let me know. Hope this helps! Good luck!
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
-
New Google Maps - Does my strategy change?
I am currently in the process of ensuring our 70 locations are accurately portrayed in Google. Does the Google Maps update impact my efforts? My efforts being widespread citations spanning the local ecosystem, G+ optimization via Google Places, and in the future checking Google Map Maker for accuracy.
Image & Video Optimization | | SSFCU0 -
Thoughts on Google's New NAP Dispaly on Google+ Local
Hi, Do you think ACTION needs to happen based on Google's new NAP formatting change? They are changing Suite or STE to #. So for example 265 Racine Dr #100 Wilmington, NC 28403 Even if you enter in Suite they change it to pound. I am wondering the thoughts of the community of the following: 1. Do you think Google knows that STE, Suite, and # are all the same 2. Do you feel that we need to change ALL online local business listings and our website to match this change. 3. Here is the letter from Google on the matter FROM GOOGLE: Thanks for informing us about your address appearing differently on your local Google+ page than it does on your dashboard. After looking further, we've determined that 240 Stockton St #300 San Francisco, CA 94108 is an appropriate way for your listing to be displayed. Note that the address on your page might be different from what you've input into your dashboard. Our processes might alter user-input addresses to make them more standardized and easier for users to access. Thanks for understanding. Best, Nathan
Image & Video Optimization | | WebBizIdeas
The Google Team0 -
Any special way to rank a youtube vid in google page 1 for a kw?
I've failed to rank a youtube video before , I don't know why.. but do you guys have something that can help me to rank a youtube video to google page one? backlinks? If yes, then what type of backlinks? Just like backlinking articles and websites? thx for the input guys
Image & Video Optimization | | martino8880 -
Our site is showing up #1 for most terms with a blended local listing, but no longer in the organic listings
...after some SEO updates were made. While I am ecstatic about a #1 local listing, I am concerned that we aren't getting that second organic listing on even the top 50 results! Besides improving the content and SEO on the inner pages with the hopes to get them to rank, does anyone have any suggestions for what we are doing wrong? We (dm-remodel.com) are ranking well for things like "ann arbor kitchen remodeling" and "ann arbor bathroom remodeling" Thank you very much for any help!!
Image & Video Optimization | | MeganCough0 -
How to Fix Duplicate Item Error in Google Merchant Center?
I have set schedules upload of Test Data Feed in Google Merchant Center. Today, I have found duplicate item error in test feed status summary! There are 2697 error for duplicate item. But, my http://www.vistastores.com/feed/test_data_feed.txt does not contain any duplicate item. I have checked test feed twice before raise this question. How can I fix this issue?
Image & Video Optimization | | CommercePundit0 -
Google Video Results
Hello Team, I've video website as: www.medikalekran.com . Website has 3550 index. But no result as video. I've 750 video in my website. And also I created a videositemap as: http://www.medikalekran.com/vdstmp.xml I added it to my Google Webmaster Tools account. What can I do for video indexing? Regards,
Image & Video Optimization | | medikalekran0 -
How do you get links from a photo pointing to a third party site in Google Places?
How do you get links from a photo pointing to a third party site. I’ve seen a number on other Places accounts but I can't figure out how to do it. They had a picture/logo and the url underneath it (instead of it saying 'from the owner' underneath it), when you clicked the photo it took you to the website instead of just a page with only that photo on it. Please see image as an example. I've highlighted the image links below. Thanks in advance for your help 🙂 i0HxK.jpg
Image & Video Optimization | | HICRM0 -
Name Change in Google Places
In the middle of a nightmare in Google Places. Dealing with a number of Chiropractic franchises. They all had previous practices (and Places listings). In many cases, a duplicate listing was created. Some locations are "under review", others have lost their ranking and a few are ranking for both location in the 7 pack.(usually because they had a different phone number used so I assume Google sees it as a separate company despite the same location) I am trying to fix all these duplicate or near duplicate listings that were created previously. In one case I edited the existing listing and tried to verify by phone. I got the 5 digit code but Google then said code is not valid. Has anyone been through a similar situation? Should I delete/deactivate old listing and Then optimize the remaining or vice versa? A complete mess. In some cases they may have four listings...old company, new franchise and new name, Doctors names. Any insight appreciated.
Image & Video Optimization | | AgileInt0