How likely it is to rank both locally and organically
-
I think the question summarizes it pretty well. Did anybody experienced this, to rank for one or multiple keywords in both local and organic search results?
-
Hi Echo,
I don't have an exact answer for this, as I imagine there would be a variety of factors involved. However, over the past year, we've had tons of questions from local business owners here in Q&A wondering why their organic ranking had 'disappeared'. Pretty much every time, it was because they had claimed a Google Place/Google+ Local listing, resulting in the previous organic rank being subsumed into the new local one. So, their rankings hadn't really been lost; they had been converted into a new local listing, the rankings of which depend, in part, on organic signals.
And, of course, Google only shows a set number of first page local results for each query (be that 3 or 7 or what have you) and so other businesses will fall outside that limited number and may only have an organic rank on the page.
-
What makes Google choose when to show a local listing vs an organic one?
-
Hi Echo,
Double and even triple first page rankings were common for dominant businesses prior to the Venice update about a year ago. Now, it is extremely uncommon for any local business to have more than one page one ranking. If they have a local ranking, they probably won't also have an organic one for the same keyword and vice versa. There are some exceptions to this, but they are very few and far between.
-
Great resource William, thanks!
-
It's certainly possible, but not the norm.
Check out this post from earlier today: http://www.seomoz.org/ugc/is-your-website-being-replaced-with-google-plus-local-listings
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
-
How to get images to rank higher, with some new tips?
Hello, Can anybody give any other advice for image optimization except keyword use in file name and alt tag, which would effect the item to be ranking higher on google images, I have searched google on this, but did not find any reallyuseful tips other than those mentioned above... Should I mention my main keywords that I try to rank in as many image files and different pages as possible, but without stuffing and relevant to the content? Thanks a lot
Image & Video Optimization | | bidilover0 -
Is there an index of local blogs somewhere?
I'm trying to find (and evaluate) blogs in my area, but searching for them via google has been pretty tedious so far. Does anyone know of a website where I can locate blogs in my area? For example, ideally, I'd like to go to something like www.blogfinder.com, type in Tampa and get a list of all the blogs dedicated to this area. Anyone know of anything like that? Thanks, Ruben
Image & Video Optimization | | KempRugeLawGroup0 -
Apparently now OK to use PO boxes to optimize local search?
I've always stood behind what I thought was Google's policy of not recognizing PO boxes. But it seems like all you have to do now is create one and take 2 seconds to create a low-quality G+ page. The below link is to a screenshot that shows my guy (yay new, high quality site with growing, relevant, authoritative content!) just out of the local results. He's not technically in Athens, so we knew it was an uphill battle. What's annoying though is the low-quality G+ PO box result above him. https://www.diigo.com/item/image/4bxh7/yi1x I know the PO Box result is not great in a vacuum in terms of conversion, but fact is if it's just phone numbers you're after they're at a distinct advantage, with no effort. For my client, we've indicated in G+ that he has a service area that extends into Athens. If Google is now favoring G+ results, I'm wondering if my guy should get a PO box instead? yi1x
Image & Video Optimization | | PerfectPitchConcepts0 -
Any tips for optimising for Local Search/Google Places
I have a client that used to come up on Google Places consistently for some very competitive keywords - when they ranked quite low for them through their normal website - places would see them above all the organic results in normally number 2 position - whereas they would rank between 16 - 26 normally We have optimised the site and have 'A' grade keywords for the ones we are interested in google placing for and just recently we are out of it all together, even though we have improved their optimisation for that word with SEO Someone said that their phone number on the website had to match perfectly with google places and so does their address. Is this true? Is there anything else that will help them keep their position in places ? ie. setting up a Google + page etc., Any advise would be appreciated thanks
Image & Video Optimization | | intermingle0 -
Google local question - over optimization?
I run a law firm with multiple practice areas (bankruptcy, probate, estate planning, personal injury). I have a google places page with those categories listed. I recently spoke with an seo company (that cold called me...) that told me that it was "black hat" to try to optimize a local campaign for more than one of those practice areas. That doesn't seem right to me. Any thoughts?
Image & Video Optimization | | richardslaw0 -
SEO for Explicit / Medical Pictures - Will It Hurt Rankings?
I have a client with page 1 rankings for several keywords. He wants to make some updates to his website. He is offering a new service and wants to show before and after photos of the procedure. He is an OB/GYN, so the before/after pictures are very explicit and have full nudity. How will this affect his rankings? Is there something that I can do to tell Google and other SE's that these photos are medical and not pornographic? Should I host them on another domain? Just looking for thoughts and insight. Thank you in advance!
Image & Video Optimization | | itrogers0 -
Targeting Local Search Terms
I normally advise clients never to optimise around keywords with very low or even zero recorded Google search volumes. However, if the core keyword has decent volumes but the organisation is serviing specific towns/cities/locations would you consider it valid to optimise for : core keyword + focused location (even if this has zero search volumes). The Google Places results are obviously highly relevant but depending on the core keyword you sometimes get the 3-box places at the top but sometimes in the middle of the natural results.
Image & Video Optimization | | bjalc20110 -
Is there an easy way to see how competitive a local search term is?
Is there a quick and easy way to see how competitive local search terms are? I am looking at helping my clients show up on the local search results. Some times all I have to do is claim a listing and they move right to the top. Sometimes I claim a listing and nothing happens so I get links and I get reviews and it takes awhile. I want to be able to put an accurate price point on the service I am offering. I have looked at the search volume and it hasn't been the best indicator because some industries are more competitve than others. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
Image & Video Optimization | | jimmyseo0
