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
-
Carousel bumped us out of our local ranking
Nearly every post I've seen on Carousel states that "the rankings basically stay the same" but that hasn't been the case for one of my hospitality sites. The site went from being in the top 3 of local listings but when Carousel hit the site got bumped. We have high quality images, reviews, citations...we even added some newer, better photos but aside from that I'm a bit stumped as to what steps to take next. Anyone else get bumped by Carousel or have thoughts on any other factors which I might be missing out on?
Image & Video Optimization | | NetvantageMarketing0 -
Thoughts on Google's New NAP Dispaly on Google+ Local
Hi, Do you think ACTION needs to happen based on Google's new NAP formatting change? They are changing Suite or STE to #. So for example 265 Racine Dr #100 Wilmington, NC 28403 Even if you enter in Suite they change it to pound. I am wondering the thoughts of the community of the following: 1. Do you think Google knows that STE, Suite, and # are all the same 2. Do you feel that we need to change ALL online local business listings and our website to match this change. 3. Here is the letter from Google on the matter FROM GOOGLE: Thanks for informing us about your address appearing differently on your local Google+ page than it does on your dashboard. After looking further, we've determined that 240 Stockton St #300 San Francisco, CA 94108 is an appropriate way for your listing to be displayed. Note that the address on your page might be different from what you've input into your dashboard. Our processes might alter user-input addresses to make them more standardized and easier for users to access. Thanks for understanding. Best, Nathan
Image & Video Optimization | | WebBizIdeas
The Google Team0 -
Video SEO: Should I add Video Transcriptions to You Tube Videos Even with Google CC?
So, You Tube allows plenty of room from descriptions. I think 5,000 characters. Google does a poor Closed Caption of our audio. Should I also be adding accurate transcriptions to the description field in YouTube to help my Video SEO. What are the pro's cons and is it worth doing?
Image & Video Optimization | | BlairKuhnen1 -
Google Places to Google+ Places - Strange Problem!
Hi I had a Google Places listed fully completed 100% and was ranking well in the local search results. However since it has been converted to a Google+ Local page it is not ranking like it used to and the main problem I can see is that the address is now incorrect on theGoogle+ local listing However it wont let me change the address? yet when I click on manage this page and view the listing under Google Places the address is correct? Any ideas on how to resolve this?
Image & Video Optimization | | ocelot0 -
Video Site Map Question..
Hi ! It's really good guide... I have few questions... We own ecommerce site. we are in process of building videos realted to our niche. I'm planning to host videos like this 😆 www.ecom.com/videos where videos folder i m going to manage with wordpress and wordpress has plugins like :- http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wordpress-video-plugin/ I am planning to host video on youtube and vimeo. as both will have same videos. which service provider i should use for my own sitemap... we know both can rank in google and my ecommerce site too.. Keeping SEO benefits and traffic in mind. what should i do... Thanks vinku
Image & Video Optimization | | vinku0 -
Google Places for Mobile Businesses in many cities
How do you set up Google Places account for mobile businesses where the drivers get calls from their homes and service customers in their respective cities? The problem is, the drivers don't want to list their home address as their business address, yet they still represent a service for a particular city. Any ideas?
Image & Video Optimization | | ocsearch0 -
Google Places - Different NAP on various directories...
My client's veterinary clinic uses a service called Localvets.com which is a division of Yext.com. This service updates listings and sponsors them across various directories. Since this is a referral service (they get paid for new clients) they use a custom phone number and custom website address for these listings. Question: Is this hurting the SEO potential of the Google Places listing since the N.A.P. are not the same? Thoughts?
Image & Video Optimization | | PMC-3120870 -
Google Maps Service Areas
Hi, is there a limit on the number of service areas I can choose for my Google place/map listing.? For optimization purposes should I include the whole state, or each specific city. My keyword for google maps is not very competitive and I want to cover a few different states , I have the time to put specific cities just not sure if there is a restriction on number of service areas. Cheers
Image & Video Optimization | | pablogalante0