Ranking well for keywords, but not in Google maps
-
If the search "criminal defense attorney" or any number of variants, is performed from a mobile device, like an iPhone, Google maps seems to be inserting many local map listings ahead of the normal search results in the Tallahassee, Florida area. These are great - as they have the Call button and the Directions button. However, for some reason, my clients aren't ranking well here and competitors who are seemingly doing nothing are higher in the list.
I have created the Google+ page for attorney and business page for the firm and completed the profile, uploading pictures etc and verified the address. I have the local address (schema-proper, I believe) on the linking home page and their address is actually closer to downtown/midtown than others. I've even gotten some positive reviews and +1s, at least enough to be competitive in this field. This was about 2 months ago. Any advice?
On a (perhaps) related note, the competition has category descriptions outside of the Google-allowed categories. I can't save settings without fitting neatly into their "Criminal Justice Attorney" category. Help here would also be appreciated.
-
Hi Drew,
I will add to Tom's thoughtful response by recommending that you study the recent Local Search Ranking Factors 2013 (http://moz.com/local-search-ranking-factors) and look at the different factors that have greatest influence in the mobile environment vs. the desktop environment if the goal is mobile local rankings. Hope this helps!
-
Hi there Drew
You've made the right start by acquiring a Google+ page and some reviews. Google considers these citations when deciding whether or not to rank a site in the local listings.
However, it also considers hundreds of other local citations for this local search. Getting your listing on these sites can go a long way towards improving your local listing visibility. Make sure that each listing uses a consistent address, phone number, company etc. and Google should start to take notice.
Here's a fantastic definitive list of local citations you can go out and acquire. Getting the listing is only half of the job - using consistent information, getting reviews and of course earning high quality links will make your site appear higher and higher in local search as well. Keep driving reviews to places like Google+ and Yelp, earn those links and claim your listings.
Hope this helps!
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
-
Does Google Image Search also punish duplicated content?
Does duplicated content have an impact on your Google Image ranking?
Image & Video Optimization | | fduo0 -
Unusual Google+ Local listing ranking well
If you search for locksmith Phoenix, this Google+ page is ranked #3 in the local results: https://plus.google.com/117543374216451236579/about?hl=en The phone number is a VOIP number, they don't appear to have many/any citations, no reviews, etc. They've listed the Yelp search results page as their website. Strange. How are they ranking so well? Is Google ranking them well because it's associating them with Yelp.com? Any thoughts?
Image & Video Optimization | | AdamThompson2 -
Repetitive Speaker and Keyword Stuffing Penalty
This question is a little bit on the whimsical side. Let's say you have a video on your page, and a transcript of said video. The speaker has a tendency to repeat a certain (key)word, somewhat excessively. Maybe it's an important term for a technical video, maybe it's a nervous thing, whatever -- that word is in there a lot. If you include a video transcript, could you get slapped with a keyword stuffing penalty for excessive use of said word?
Image & Video Optimization | | Oren.0 -
Google+ advice
I am in the process of finalizing G+ pages for our financial institution's 70 locations. So far, the only things I see in my control (set-up only) are the basics - address, phone number, website, description, categories, etc. I do have some great information for additional information (drive-through hours, products, services, etc.), but I see that there's not a place for those. So aside from ensuring accuracy, choosing the best categories provided by Google, uploading quality pics, writing an effective/optimized description, and making sure my pins are correct, any other tips for making these the best pages the best I can? The only thing in my scope is page set-up. Our social media coordinator will be mitigating reviews and posting content. Thanks!
Image & Video Optimization | | SSFCU0 -
Google Local Page Not Showing in Search Results
Hi! I am having an issue with our business's Google+/Local/Places/whatever-the-heck-you-call-it-these-days page not showing up in search results. I work for a company called Nexxtep Technology Services. We are located in Valdosta, GA. We have a Google+ page that's filled out nicely and I would love it if it would show up next to the search results when you search "nexxtep technology services" or "nexxtep valdosta" in Google. For some reason, it does not. I have a feeling what might be a source of the issue...we have developed and hosted websites for clients, and we used to put a link to our site in the footer. Now, I know that's not a good thing to do. We don't do that anymore, and I have since removed those links from existing sites. I removed them almost 6 weeks ago now. Should I give Google a little more time to crawl these sites again? Any guidance would be tremendously appreciated. Thank you for your help!
Image & Video Optimization | | nexxtep0 -
Best Tool For Local Rank Tracking
Hello Everyone, I have taken a few clients recently that i'm doing local SEO for; I'm curious of what the best tool is for keyword tracking with local intent? I have heard things about WhiteSpark and MicrositeMasters, but I have no idea what is the best, is SEOmoz's tracking good for local? Thanks Zach
Image & Video Optimization | | Zachary_Russell0 -
Google Knowledge Graph - change bio image
I have a client who is a well known personality in a particular niche that I've done some general event and design work for, but he hasn't had interest in SEO or social help until this point. He is very displeased by the image that was chosen for his Google Knowledge Graph result when you search his name. The issue isn't due to a poor photo, but rather due to the site it links through to. Google has chosen to use a bio image for his Knowledge Graph result which links to an "anti-" site. This site is opposed to the organization he leads. If you click on the image, it sends you to an image result page backed by an article which is full of misinformation and overall negativity about this individual. The source is also listed under the image on the Knowledge Graph result, a source he doesn't believe deserves any publicity, especially in conjunction with his name. So, what best practices might you suggest should be employed to go about getting Google to choose a replacement image for his Knowledge Base bio? Optimize his own bio page and bio image on his website? Get an image on his Wikipedia page? Create a G+ page with the bio image? Integrate the rel author syntax into his articles pointing back to his bio page? He doesn't want this to become a public matter, so he's against posting the issue to Google's Help Boards or reporting it in a public fashion. I'm not sure what should be the best first steps and top priorities for him and am hoping the SEOmoz team is starting to see some trends with Knowledge Graph. Let me know your thoughts when you can. Thanks so much! iLqNW iLqNW.png
Image & Video Optimization | | windturbines2 -
How should I resolve duplicate Google Places listings?
I am doing work for a local business who has duplicate Google Places listings. I would like some input from those with experience in this as to how I should go about consolidating these listings. Listing 1 created ~3 years ago by someone in the local business. They don't have the login/password info for this listing. listing has inaccurate info, including the wrong url (it points to their old website which is no longer active, but redirects to the new site) 124 reviews associated with this listing listing is on 3rd page of Local Business results Listing 2 one year old All listing info is current and accurate and I have the login info 18 reviews associated with this listing listing is on 6th page of Local Business results Up until a week or two ago Listing 2 was ranked between 1-3 in the local business results along side the map. Listing 1 was ranked around #6. I assume that the duplicate listings with their conflicting info (different url's associated with each) hit some tripwire in Google and they have now been penalized. Does this sound correct? What is the best method for consolidating the two listings and reestablishing the ranking? Here are my thoughts, please let me know if there is a better way... gain access to Listing 1 by having the business claim/verify the listing update all info in Listing 1 so that it is current and accurate deactivate and/or delete Listing 2 Is this the best course of action? Thanks!
Image & Video Optimization | | fastestmanalive0