Local SEO Just Got Easier
An interesting article in WebProNews illustrates just how easy local SEO is now. Is this the way Google is going to start handling all queries now?
I performed my own search at Google for the following search terms:
- Chiropractor
- Dentist
- Auto mechanic
- Internet marketing
In all except the last case, Google returned local results.
I did not have to search for local, Google returned it automatically.
I think this is a great trend and it illustrates a very important concept – that Google knows, based on your IP address, where you are geographically. That’s very important for search engine optimization experts to know. If you are building a local business in certain niches then it is important to submit your website to Google Maps. The reason a search for Internet marketing doesn’t turn up local results is because it is not a traditionally local service whereas the others are. In other words, you can’t perform chiropractic, dental, or auto mechanic services from a long distance. They can only be performed in person at a specific location, therefore, Google returns local specific geographically oriented search results for those search queries, but only if the businesses are listed in Google Maps.
I performed the same searches at Yahoo! and MSN Live and Yahoo!, it’s interesting, doesn’t return local organic results but it does on the sponsored search results. MSN Live returned local results in the organic search results for auto mechanic but not for dentist or chiropractic, which I thought was interesting. This is just another reason to keep to using Google. Local search is better, which means the opportunities for local SEO are better.
2 Responses to “Local SEO Just Got Easier”
The Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Journal is Written by SEO Expert:
Nick Stamoulis
Tel - 781-999-1222
nick@brickmarketing.com
Brick Marketing - SEO Company
Here in Oz, it’s only just started doing this for the bigger, more commonly known, types of business like the ones you mentioned.
That said, since Perth is the World’s most isolated major city, SEO here is as easy as adding “Perth” to the end of their keywords, and Google Maps figures out the rest. Geez, even just adding their address to the footer of many of my clients’ sites has boosted their local search. It’s been brilliant for my gig, lemme tell ya.
@Judd Exley – Thanks for sharing your local SEO story
I would cherish the lack of local competition as someday in the future it may not be as easy…thanks again!