Local keywords still relevant?

[SSFCU]

Now with Google localizing search increasingly personalizing queriesquery results, is it still necessary to add geo-specific modifiers to keywords?

[reworded for clarity]

[SSFCU]

Thanks! Oh, it's not a break-break. It was just a mental one over the weekend LOL!

[MiriamEllis]

Totally agree that time off is necessary now and then to keep the mind fresh. Hope you enjoy your break!

[SSFCU]

Exactly! I think it's been all this information overload. Stepping back for a few days helped get a clearer grasp.

[MiriamEllis]

Hi SEOSarah,

So glad I got it right. You are right that Google localizes tons of results for the user. Including geo terms in your optimization will help Google to understand that you are relevant to these results. And, then there is a whole different category of search in which the user isn't looking for results that are local to them - for example, a user in Chicago searching for a hotel in Dallas. He wants local results - just not results that are local to his own city, because he's making a trip. Bottom line, definitely keep utilizing geo terms! Glad you asked.

[SSFCU]

Thanks Miriam! You are understanding my question correctly. To put it differently, I was speaking to Google being increasingly personalized in their query results, to a point where users are being taught they don't necessarily have to include a city name in their query. I think I was overthinking it. Of course the city name is still going to be important, even if geo-specific keywords become less common in queries.

[MiriamEllis]

Hi SEOSarah,

I want to be sure I'm correctly understanding your question. Google has been localizing results for some years now, so I'm not clear if this is what you are referring to, or if you are referring to something new. Also, it might help if you could be a little more specific about what you mean by including geo-specific keywords. Where? On the website? Elsewhere?

In general, if you are marketing a local business, then it remains quite important to utilize geo terms in your website optimization. Nothing about this has changed, and the recent Local Search Ranking Factors 2013 still cites this practice as being highly relevant.

If this isn't what you're asking about, I'll be happy to pop back in to read your further details!

[vmialik]

1. Not all keyword terms are localized

2. Even those that are localized organic results follow below.

For both of those geo-specific keywords are needed to rank organically.

Hope this helps

[computernc]

For me as a SEO Company we believe that GEO targeting keywords may not be the most important, but they help you a lot to built your local market.

Most people as long as we have researched like to put an specific area for the service they look for and if you optimize your keywords with that geo target you will have plus points over others without them.

Also geo targeting helps google to understand where is your business based and when people that may not be using the geo word on their search query but are logged in on google and it knows where they live it will pull the information based on their target. Also is good to add that an extra word on your keyword is not much if you want to optimize for Web design and you put Web design GeoTarget it still takes just the Web Design in your keyword as an other keyword because is broken down by words. google matches words and phrases on your website.