Google Local Results and URL Titles

[helliottlaw]

After searching for (city name) (business type) a number of my competitor's sites come up with the title of their web page as the results (including geographic descriptors).  However, my site is listed by name and does not reflect our URL title.  How is this possible (did someone manually change the title of our listing?) and how can I change this back so that the title includes a geo descriptor?  Do I simply edit the listing under google places or will this have a negative effect on our rankings?

[helliottlaw]

Thanks for this.

[MaryAnneG]

This is a good place to start: http://www.davidmihm.com/local-search-ranking-factors.shtml.

Also, I think there was a Whiteboard Friday on it a few months back (I think November or December.)

[helliottlaw]

Any advice for resources to explain how to properly optimize for google local?

[Gyi]

This is likely occurring because your competitor's have a "hybrid" organic/local listing. My advice is to verify that your homepage title tags are properly optimized. Also, you should verify that you have claimed your Google Places profile. My advice is to use your actual business name in the business title box for your place listing.

When Google figures out that your place page is associated with your website and you have a top organic position, you should see your website title listed in your organic/local hybrid listing.