Local query doesnt trigger local maps listings?
-
Hi guys,
Ive been doing local seo for quite some time and had great results from both organic listings and local maps listings (and a merged listings).
However ive noticed time and time again that local maps listings dont appear in serps on all local searches, even the most popular local search terms.
Take the phrase "marketing company glasgow" local phrase,local intent but no maps results. But if you click on maps on the laft hand side, theres clearly tons of mpas results.
Any ideas why google dont display local businesses on certain local intent phrases?
Is there any way around this? Even with good on page seo, and good rankings organically, it would be great to get the maps listing on page 1 too.
Thanks
Robert
-
Hi Robert,
You are right in your conclusion that on things like this 'only Google knows'. However, your example term is an interesting one as Google has historically been odd in their treatment of marketing and SEO firms when it comes to local results. Google kicked SEO companies out of the local organic results a couple of years ago, and some marketing firms got the boot as well. However, for the term you've specified, I do see 1 blended local result coming up for a firm called 'The Marketing Company Scotland'. Everything else on the page of results is organic (searching from my location in California, but at least one company is being given local treatment.
It has long been a mystery how Google decides which queries have a local intent. Sometimes they just don't show local results for things you think they would and other times, they show local results when that wasn't your intent, as the searcher, at all. There isn't really a way to influence their decision on this...at least, not that I've heard of, and like yourself, I've been been doing Local SEO for years.
The only thing to hang your hat on is that Google is constantly changing their handling of local. What they are doing today may not be what they are doing and, eventually, you may see them decide that your query of choice is local in intent.
Thanks for asking such a good question here!
Miriam
-
i think this is probably a "only google knows" as you say.
Be good to know for sure
-
You might be asking a question that Google only knows though. We know how to optimise to increase and get into those map listings, but actually getting the map system activated for a local search term maybe a different matter all together.
But im not 100% as I not a map wizard, sure someone on here will know a lot more about it.
Could be down to the number of queries for the term before it activates, queries against number of listings, might not be but just an example of what could be taken into account.
-
maybe not the best example then lol but still only one map, merged listing. what about trust deeds glasgow?
local search and i know theres lots of local businesses and maps listings but google dont show them?
im not an expert on maps so maybe someone can shed some light?
-
I just did your example term and got a map result in organic with a visual map top, right allowing you to see full screen map with pointers.
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
-
Apparently now OK to use PO boxes to optimize local search?
I've always stood behind what I thought was Google's policy of not recognizing PO boxes. But it seems like all you have to do now is create one and take 2 seconds to create a low-quality G+ page. The below link is to a screenshot that shows my guy (yay new, high quality site with growing, relevant, authoritative content!) just out of the local results. He's not technically in Athens, so we knew it was an uphill battle. What's annoying though is the low-quality G+ PO box result above him. https://www.diigo.com/item/image/4bxh7/yi1x I know the PO Box result is not great in a vacuum in terms of conversion, but fact is if it's just phone numbers you're after they're at a distinct advantage, with no effort. For my client, we've indicated in G+ that he has a service area that extends into Athens. If Google is now favoring G+ results, I'm wondering if my guy should get a PO box instead? yi1x
Image & Video Optimization | | PerfectPitchConcepts0 -
Google+ Local Reviews
Hi everyone, Is it against Google+ Local's guidelines to request one's customers to post reviews on their page? For example, asking my customers on my email list, or through Facebook if they can leave a review on the G+ Local page? Thanks
Image & Video Optimization | | FernwoodFitness0 -
Google Places - second listing, same name
We will open a new office at a new location and I would like to add it to our Google places. How do I do this? Per Google guidelines: "Do not create more than one listing for each business location, either in a single account or multiple accounts." - Website & Phone: Provide a phone number that connects to your individual business location as directly as possible, and provide one website that represents your individual business location_._ Do I have to another contact page on my website for that location too? I will end up having to business listing with the same name but different locations. I want people to know that we have 2 separate offices because they serve different clients. I want to show up in Google places for the second location as well. Any thoughts?
Image & Video Optimization | | echo10 -
Do citations in foreign languages help for local SEO in English?
Hi, All! If you're doing trying to get a foreign site (in English) to rank for local SEO in that country (in English),.do citations in the native language help? Google does seem to know that the business name in English and the foreign language are the same (e.g. if you search in English, it will return some results in the foreign language with the business name in the foreign language bolded). And addresses Google can also tell are the same, as evidenced by Google map searches in both languages pinpointing the same location. So - are citations in the foreign language relevant to help the page rank higher for a local query in English? Any thoughts? Thanks, Aviva
Image & Video Optimization | | debi_zyx0 -
Local SEO Help!
At the minute 12 out of my 16 clients are Local SEO clients. I'm new to SEO Moz and still only at the low level subscription which gives me 5 campaigns. It seems to me (and I may be wrong) that SEO Moz is more suited for my clients that want to rank nationally. SEO Moz seems like it might be a little overkill for using up a campaign for local seo. I'm going to stay with SEO Moz as it is great for the few clients I have that want to rank nationally. So my question is does anyone know of a similar company to SEO Moz that focuses soley on local seo? Does anyone have experience with Bright Local? How about shedding some light on what reporting software is good for LOCAL SEO? http://www.brightlocal.com/seo-tools/ Thanks
Image & Video Optimization | | fun52dig
Gary0 -
Google Place pages and regular listings in search results
I'm trying to clarify something about search results which contain local listings. Here is the search string for Google that will give you the same results that I am seeing - http://www.google.co.uk/search?&q=letting agents glasgow&pws=0 Of the results that are returned, some of them have data which seems to be related to their Google Place page but the "title" links directly to their website. What I wanted to know is, "Is it their actual website that has given them those rankings" or "Are they listed where they are because of a well optimized and ranked Places page?
Image & Video Optimization | | XSMedia0 -
Backlinks & local search?
I'm aware that local search is mostly based on citations, and how well your Google places page is optimized, and the landing pages are optimized. But I was wondering if anyone could tell me if backlinks have any relevance in the local search results? And if they do, how much would you say the impact the local search results? could you estimate a % of total value? Also if they do, does it help to have backlinks that point at your places page urls? or should the backlinks just point at your places page landing pages?
Image & Video Optimization | | adriandg0 -
Meaning Behind Google Local Search Results Icons?
I can't seem to easily find this answer anywhere (even in the Google Places FAQ page), so thought I'd stop digging around and simply ask it here: What are the meanings behind the icons to the right of the link and to the left of the "place page" link in Google's local search results? I see a checkmark/question mark in a circle, then a bar chart with various levels filled in, then a dollar sign in a circle, then a magnifying glass. 1. What are these telling me, as a searcher? 2. What are they telling the owner of the business? Thank you for your help; I just can't seem to find a reference for this...
Image & Video Optimization | | keethgee0