How does google choose the local searches?
-
In a larger city (london for example) when there are dozens of one specific industry, how does Google choose who to show in their local results?
For example if I type "solicitor london" it shows me 7 local results, but I know there are far more than 7 solicitors in London. Do they change as frequently as the rest of the serps or is there something you can do to ensure you get in that local search?
Added to this, does being part of a chain/franchise make a difference?
Help/thoughts/advice would be appreciated.
-
Super, Gordon! So glad my reply was helpful and happy reading!
-
Thanks Miriam, that's given me plenty to go on!
-
Hi Gordon,
Good question! Just like in organic search, there are several hundred factors that go into determining Google's local rankings. No one but a few people at Google actually know what these factors are, but Local SEOs have been able to pin some of the most evident factors down.
Since 2008, David Mihm has held an annual industry survey to determine expert opinion on what the top local ranking factors are. Here is the 2013 edition of this survey:
moz.com/local-search-ranking-factors
If you're new to Local and are struggling to understand the nuances of the factors, this Moz post will give you a visual walk-through of the top 20 local search ranking factors:
http://moz.com/blog/top-20-local-search-ranking-factors-an-illustrated-guide
Recently, Moz has launched some exciting new tools in the localsphere, along with a substantial free education resource. You can really jumpstart your own education if you visit the Moz Local Learning Center at:
For more free educational resources for beginning Local SEOs, check out:
http://moz.com/blog/free-local-seo-education-for-businesses-on-a-shoestring-budget
With this education in hand, you will begin to understand how to promote a local business so that it can compete with its local competitors for inclusion in Google's all-important local pack results.
I sincerely hope these resources will get you off to a super start!
-
As Gary said there are many factors included in local search such as the optimization of that page, natural ranking, local citations, etc. If you want to see how you are doing, click the "Map results for solicitor london" link under the 7 pack and go to "list all results." This should be your rankings for local.
-
Ranking in local results has many factors.
The first thing you need to know is that the results are a mixture of natural rankings and local
Here is one way to see where sites rank naturally without the local listings
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=solicitor+london&num=10&start=1 This link will exclude the very first result (whoever ranks #1), I have not found another way to do this.Once you have determined who ranks naturally and who ranks for local, you can start to figure out what is going on.
It all comes down to optimization of your local page and citations from various places and a trust level from your domain including quality score.There are some great people in here that can explain in depth about how to optimize your local business page so that you get a top 7 position
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
-
Google My Business search results for multiple listings
I am wondering how people set up their Google My Business listings to appear in the search results similar to this business, Hulme Orthodontics. I attached an image below that'll give more details. I am working with a client that has two locations similar in distance to Hulme Orthodontics, and I have tried everything and have come up with no answers as to how I can properly get Google to format the search results in this way. I assume that there is no actual way to manage this and that Google decides this on their own. However, if anyone has any insight regarding this manner, that would be much appreciated! Thank you for your help! UsEr3rK
Local Listings | | DylMar1 -
Google Beacons - Is it working?
I hooked up our google beacon and I activated per google's instructions...but I can't tell if it is working or not. Does anyone know if there is a way to verify it is transmitting other than the confirmation page I got when I put in the validation code? Thanks! Ruben
Local Listings | | KempRugeLawGroup0 -
Google My Business: Multiple businesses operating from same address
Hi guys, This seems to be quite common (especially now with "hotdesking" becoming increasingly popular), but I've never had to do local SEO for a business like this before so was just wondering on best practice for a business who shares the same brick-and-mortar location with multiple other businesses. For Google My Business verification, it does seem you just have to get there first. With Google unverifying the first account tied to that address if you attempt to verify another - I don't want to do this, due to the relationship between my client and the verified business in question. Any suggestions?
Local Listings | | Ria_1 -
Yahoo Local
Hello, I'm wondering how to add a business to Yahoo Local. I've tried searching for the URL to add it, but keep getting redirected to https://www.aabacosmallbusiness.com/advisor . Has Yahoo outsourced their business listings, or am I just not finding the page I'm looking for? Shauna
Local Listings | | shauna70840 -
Help tracking phone number calls from Google Plus & Yahoo Local
Hi, I own a business in United States and serving multiple locations around US. I have listings for all my locations in Google Business as well as in Yahoo Local. To track the phone calls that are made through Google & Yahoo, I have provided a 2 different phone numbers in these listings in order to track it effectively. Recently, I read that even the tracking phone numbers will rise an inconsistent NAP in Google local ranking factors. If such is the case, how can can effectively track the phone calls separately from these business listing? Does anyone have any better idea for this? Thank you,
Local Listings | | Luckydtech1 -
Google Places - Bulk Dashboard Issues
Hi guys, We have two clients one for 45 listings and another one with 350 listings all controlled in two separate google places bulk upload accounts. Which can be managed here: https://www.google.com/local/manage/ Recently over the last 3 weeks, every time we make a address change or edit to the listing via thehttps://www.google.com/local/manage/ the edit is not changing the actual listing directly any more. And i have had to use the 'suggest a edit or report a problem' to get the address change. This is getting tedious, especially when you have 10+ stores changing address every week. Does anyone know why this is occurring? It worked perfectly before! I have asked GP support but they haven't given me a response. I'm in Australia and believe we're still on the old dashboard, screenshot below: http://postimg.org/image/he0hx0xox/ Kind Regards,
Local Listings | | MBASydney
RM0 -
Google Places category language issue
Hi there! I've recently added a new listing in our Google Places for Business account. When adding the basic info initially, the category suggestions where in English, so I just picked one. We are based in The Netherlands however, so I'd like to use the Dutch categories. When I edit our existing listing, the category suggestions are Dutch. When I edit our new listing, suggestions keep showing in English. Does anyone know how I can change this? I tried to switch language settings in my Google account, but it seems like the categories are just stuck on a certain language once the listing is set up? Thanks for your help!
Local Listings | | RBO0 -
Google Maps Help
Hello, I'm helping 2 clients with Google Maps Client 1
Local Listings | | ogdcorp
Has 4 Locations, I claimed all 4 but when searching his name only 3 are showing up on the first page.
All 4 show up when clicking on "More results" Client 2
Has 3 Locations, all of them were claimed by another company 1 year ago. But now I cant re-claim them unless the other company releases them but that wont be easy. Any suggestions? Also, when dealing with multiple locations is it better to have 1 email address for all or 1 email for each? Thanks0