local search: google changes its display
Have you seen the changes Google has made in its search results display lately? You’ve probably seen the top ten local results before if you’ve ever searched for something with a geographical indicator, like: “contractor Pasadena” or “dentist San Francisco.” Google would know you were looking for a local result and place the top ten “Local Business Results” up at the top of your page.
Now all you have to do is enter a generic term like “contractor” and Google will display the local listings automatically, like this:
What does this mean for you? This means that any business that ranks well locally now has a chance of getting on the first page for general search terms, and will get more exposure/traffic. And those users who couldn’t find you because they didn’t know they had to enter geographic modifiers now no longer have to learn how. Local results will display automatically.
How do you take advantage of local search? One easy way is to go to Google’s Local Business Center and get a free business listing. Help Google find you and categorize your business correctly. You can also use geographical indicators as keywords in your code, content, titles, etc. [Click here to read more about keyword placement]. Truthfully, it will be hard to get listed in the top ten for “attorney San Francisco,” but the more specific you are in your choice of keywords (“maritime attorney San Francisco”), the better your chances are for getting relevant traffic to your website.
Tags: keywords, local search, search
June 23rd, 2009 at 4:50 am
Not sure that this is true:), but thanks for a post.
Have a nice day
Zoran
June 23rd, 2009 at 10:55 am
Not sure what is true? That Google will automatically display local results? Give it a try in your area with a product/service/occupation – insurance, contractor, etc. They don’t do it for every term – for instance, if you type in “doctor,” I don’t think they’ll display local results, but if you type in “pediatrician,” they will.