Google maps listings
-
Hi all, I just wondered what determines the company listings that are displayed in maps. From what I can see any businesses highlighted in these lists have optimised Google Places pages and it doesn't seem to be based on general ranking as these lists seem different to the general SERPS.
Any thoughts at all appreciated. Pls see attached image.
Also, is there anything other than optimise your Places listing that might help ensure you are seen in these results?
-
Many thanks, all extremely helpful information! It's really appreciated.
This all gives me some food for thought and it also looks like I've got some work to do!
Thanks again.
-
Hi David,
So glad you asked, as we've just released the 2015 Local Search Ranking Factors survey, which should help give you the most comprehensive possible picture of the factors that are believed to most influence both local and local/organic rankings:
https://mza.bundledseo.com/local-search-ranking-factors
These factors are also applicable to Maps, so a thorough study of the survey should be helpful.
-
Hey David,
A few things here, if I recall the ones that are showing up highlighted are sometimes ones you have seen or done a search for.
As for your map listing there is lots you can do. The most important things to do is the following:
Do local listings on yelp and other sites.
Insure you have the same address and business name on everything including your website. Little things like Street and St can be seen as different.
Put a google map on your website with the same address.
Ask your customers to do reviews. Be careful don't to do them yourself as Google does check lots of reviews from the same IP address.
These things can help get your map moving up.
-
Hi.
Make sure your Business G+ is optimized, all info is consistent through different local listings and the website. Also, it won't hurt to link G+ and website contact page. Do use structured data to help Google understand who and what you are.
I do believe that organic search rankings have a positive effect too. If you're ranking in first three spots and you have G+ optimized, you'll most definitely be in local results as well.
Cheers.
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 prioritise local domains?
I'm in Australia targeting Australian traffic. I often see US domains in the Google SERPS and wonder if that indicates an opportunity for local (Australian) domains to rank?
Local Listings | | Lazeh0 -
Hint from Google To Hospitality Industry Regarding Images + Bookings?
Hey To All My Favorite Local Folks Here! Have clients in the hospitality industry? You might be interested in this Mike Blumenthal post in which he does a good job of voicing the frustration business owners may feel when their preferred Google profile photo is overridden with Google's preferred pic. The post does more than just vent, though ... it actually hints at something quite fascinating that Google may have just offered up to the hospitality industry by switching from hotel-preferred exterior shots to Google-preferred interior shots of rooms. Mike's contention (and it's one shared by many in the industry) is that Google makes moves like this because they are maximizing profit. From the image switching that just happened, I think it makes sense to theorize that Google has gathered enough internal data to convince them that room shots lead to more bookings than do exterior views of lodgings. This wouldn't surprise me at all. When you're looking for a place to stay, it's the room you're going to stay in that matters most ... not really whether the exterior building is made of brick, wood or stucco, right? Certainly, a beautiful, fancy building could sway you, but if the rooms look awful inside, that's probably a deal breaker. If Mike is right, then I think Google's image switcharoo offers an extremely compelling reason to follow Google's lead and shine a major spotlight - on your website which you CAN control - on your interior photography. This suggestion could apply at all levels of the industry, from major hotel corporations that might want to rethink homepage contents and interior page layouts, to country B&Bs that have never made the investment in getting a pro photo shoot done that will truly showcase their rooms. I know, as a traveler, I've seen everything from stunning to downright dark, distorted and scary when it comes to hotel room photography. If Google knows it gets more bookings when good clear room shots are given pride of place, your hotel clients might want to be taking notes on that. Do you agree? As a hospitality industry Local SEO (or even as a traveler) what do you think is the most influential booking factor? Do you have any tips to share with others in the industry or an opinion on Google's switcharoo? Please, share with our community!
Local Listings | | MiriamEllis1 -
Local Directories: What are the best practices for manually updating over 500 listings?
We are currently using an aggregator for a client, but we will be manually updating 5 different local directories that are not included in the distribution for over 500 locations. I am wondering if there are any local experts that have a set of best practices/processes for this type of scenario?
Local Listings | | PureVisibility0 -
New google maps listing was showing & now is not
Here is a brief description of what I am doing and what happened. I recently acquired a new client who had an unclaimed google business listing. We claimed the listing and within 2 days it was showing up for its main search term on Google. Almost immediately my client was receiving new calls from the listing. Within a week the listing no longer shows up with the other listings on the home page but does show up when searching on google maps. Does anyone have a lot of experience with Google+ & business listings? If yes, what are some of the most common reasons listings might be removed, shuffled around, increased or decreased in ranking, etc. Sincerely, Garret
Local Listings | | eWebify0 -
Is there a way to see if a Bing Places Listing is verified?
For example, Google has a badge for verified listings. I was wondering if Bing had something similar.
Local Listings | | bks_seo0 -
Future of Google biz listings
Breakout from an earlier question today ... G+ versus Google My Business: Looks like I lost descriptions and cover pictures on my Google Places locations during the dashboard switchover. I have 70 locations - is it worth cleaning up at this time? I would hate to invest all of that, only to learn later I need to migrate to Google My Business (and potentially - likely? - face similar issues). Thanks,
Local Listings | | SSFCU
Sarah0 -
Does anybody have any data on what percentage of people actually click on a Google Places / Google+ listing VS call the business direct from the SERPs?
I've had a few SMB clients who have experienced drops in website traffic once their Google Places listing has gone live. It's hard for the average SMB to understand that this may not be a bad thing because they actually may be received more leads direct from the local SERPs. So while I can try to explain this to my clients, it'd be nice to have some broad data on how searchers interact with Google local listings. I'd love to learn what percentage of people call direct from the SERPs instead of clicking through to the business' website link. Obviously, the percentages would vary across different verticals, different devices & depending on whether the search query was branded or non-branded. I'm after some rough average data, so if anyone could point me in the right direction, that'd be great! 🙂
Local Listings | | Dave_Eddy0 -
How to remove a former business location from Google Places?
I've received a strange response from Google Places on local listings for a home builder. Google's rep suggested that we not list the new home sales center (a model home) since at some point it will change from being a business listing to a residential listing. That is just wrong. It will be a place of business for the next 3 years and then will flip to being a private residence. These days it is uncommon, but not that rare to turn over ownership from public to private or vice versa (A residence becoming a law or other commercial establishment. Or a whole office building becoming condos.) The issue is, when it does happen, how do we get Google and others to recognize that a business is no longer a business location? I've had trouble bringing down the address of former former model home sales centers on Google Places much to the chagrin of the residents.
Local Listings | | BlairKuhnen0