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So here is the problem that I am facing. The physical location of our business is located in a suburb of a large metro area market (which consists of 3 different cities). Our company services all of the cities located in the metropolitan area market. I have seen over the past year with Google+ and Google places that Google gives preference to businesses in local search based on their location (specifically to businesses that are located near the center of the city). My suspicions were confirmed by the following: http://www.davidmihm.com/local-search-ranking-factors.shtml In the past we went out and played the game where we purchased UPS boxes in our service cities so that we can compete in Google local search local (recommendation from a SEO company that we were using at the time). I did not really want to do that, but at the time it seemed as though we had no other option with how Google was ranking businesses in those markets. Now Google has caught on to this strategy and has killed those local listings. It is frustrating that Google assumes that a listing should have higher rank based largely on physical location. We never had the intent of violating Google policy, but what are we to do? Not trying to play victim but it is true. My question is how can we rank extremely well in local search for the different cities of the metro area considering that we are physically located in a suburb? Has anyone else successfully overcame this obstacle? Any ideas on how we can rank well in Google+/Google Places in these cities? Frustrated Business Owner.