Localized SERP Rankings - Multiple Questions...

[CsmBill]

The Google SERPs for my keywords are pretty regional. We are in the "IT Support Company" space. I've checked with friends in other parts of the country, and we don't show up in the SERPs in other parts of the country for KWs that we are ranking for locally. Questions:

1. I see both national and local players showing up in the SERPs. Is there any kind of formula for how Google decides who gets on the first page?

2. Some of my keywords trigger Google+ listings. How long does it take to show up in Google+, assuming we're optimized appropriately, and we have earned a placement?

3. For Moz's keyword ranking tool, how does it handle regional searches? Moz's tool is going to show different KW rankings than what I will see. My immediate concerns are rankings in my area (NY Metro), but we want to go national. How do we track rankings in different areas?

4. Is it possible to be on the 1st page with Google+ and Organic listings?

5. Do the Google+ 7 packs have generally better, or worse CTRs than similarly placed organic listings?

[DavidLee]

Hi Rahul,

Our Rank tracker tool does not include Universal placement listings in the results, if you'd like to see your progress with your rankings regionally, you would have to start a campaign to obtain data associated with your efforts.  For more information, please check out Moz.com/help/rankings.

Hope that helps!

[MiriamEllis]

Hi Rahul,

I'll do my best to provide some insight in the many areas about which you have questions.

1. Yes - the formula by which Google evaluates web pages is called an algorithm. Google has separate formulae for organic results vs., say, purely local results. Each algorithm contains several hundred components.

2. I'm going to take a wild stab in the dark here and guess that you mean Google+ Local listings (if I'm wrong, please correct me any let me know you are talking about purely social Google+ pages rather than  local-focused Google+ Local pages). It isn't possible to say it takes X amount of time to appear in Google+ Local for desired terms because the competition in each geography is completely unique. You must analyze your competitors and work to surpass their authority so that you can break into the local results and surpass the competition. This can be easy, hard or next-to-impossible depending upon how entrenched your competitors already are.

3. I will CC our help staff for a technical explanation of how our tools work.

4. If, again, you mean here Google+ Local listings rather than just Google+ listings, the answer is that it is possible, but rare. Since the Venice update in early 2012, very few companies have had a double Page 1 ranking (both an organic and a local listing). Where a company has managed to get a double listing, it is typically either because they have optimized a secondary page on their website well enough for it to rank organically alongside the Google+ Local listing, or because the business has little or no competition (like the only lawyer serving 3 small towns). However, an enormous shakeup has hit the Local SEO sphere this week with the introduction of the local 'carousel' for verticals like restaurants, hotels and entertainment-oriented companies. At this moment, everyone is assessing how this may have changed what is showing on page 1 of the results and one of the things worth investigating is how this may have affected the double ranking scenario.

5. Unfortunately, no one that I know of has published an expert level study on this topic. Part of the reason for this lack could be that the Google Places dashboard does not provide accurate analytics data. This is a very good question, but one for which I do not have an authoritative answer.

Hope this helps, and I've said, I'll ask our technical help team to look at your question #3.

[Laurean]

Rahul,

I'm glad you are asking some really great questions.  Each one is very complex and requires a thorough understanding of how SEO and google/bing/yahoo work. Which, I think, is beyond the scope of this forum or site.

1. Getting ranked nationally is very different then getting ranked locally.  There are quite a few factors that come into play - the most important being TIME.  The amount of time your site has existed as well as how much TIME you have put into growing your internet presence.  This translates into links established naturally over time and that leads to a historical record of traffic over time.  There are a few tricks up an SEO person's sleeve to get listed on page 1 locally the fastest, but you may not want to hear that answer.  The answer is Google Maps.  Make sure you are listed there first.

2. You may be confusing Google+ places and pages with Google rankings.  Granted Google + pages can show up in the primary Google SERP, I don't think you can substitute the good work there for the good work done on your website.  Your google+ work should SUPPLEMENT your webpage work.

3. Nobody really knows how the mysterious MOZ tool works.  Use it as just another tool in your toolbox, not the ultimate source.  Although we use it for our primary research and for finding needles in a haystack.  We appreciate it for what it helps us accomplish.

4. yes.  See #2 above.  Actually three times, add in  your Google maps too!  However, if you are listed in other highly referral directories, they may overshadow your Google+ (ie: manta, mapquest, yellowpages).  Don't simply rely on Google+ to be your end-all-to-be-all.

5. Huh?  Not sure what that is.  According to wikipedia Google Pack is no longer available for download.  Not sure why you are referencing them.

All in all, you may want to check out some other reference items.  This site proved very useful to me when I was first learning SEO:  http://www.bruceclay.com/seo/search-engine-optimization.htm  They authored "SEO for Dummies" and it's a great reference tool for beginners.

Good luck!