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Local Search for SEO

Written by: Jordan Kasteler

Article Overview: An overview of local search and how to prepare your business for it in the specialized search engines result pages.

Local Search for SEO

Google’s changing the game of search engine optimization with their recent release of OneBox. Google OneBox appears at the top of results whenever a popular [city] phrase is combined with a popular search query. For example: [Salt Lake City internet marketing] returns the following results.

How does this changes the game of SEO?

Well not only do you have to aim for top organic search results, but now you have a new algorithm in place to rank on local results such as Google’s OneBox. Google, Yahoo!, and MSN have always had local search but Google has been the first to implement theirs into the regular search results as well.

What can you do to optimize for local search?

* Social Local Search - Submit your company’s listing to some of the top social local search sites. This article states social local search is up 44% in the past 12 months. Yelp, InsiderPages, CitySquares, Judy’s Book, and Mojo Pages are good examples of these.
* Internet Yellow Pages - SuperPages, Yellowbook, InfoSpace, SwitchBoard are also good examples of these.
* Local Search Engines - Submit your site to Google Local, Yahoo! Local, ASK, MSN Local, and TrueLocal.
* Data Providers – Acxiom, GeoSign, and InfoUSA are two major powerhouses for supplying local search databases. Submit your company listings to these sites as well.
* Contact information – Have a dominant address and phone number on your contact page and at least one other page, preferably the homepage. This information builds trust rank value in your Website as well.
* Microformats – Microformats are an open format for data specification. hCard’s represent data about people and specifications. Visit microformats.org to learn how you can incorporate hCard’s in to your Website. One more search engines catch on to microformats this will be quite revolutionary for Local Search.
* Meta data – Use geo meta data to tell search engines your location. Code detailed below:

Related Articles
  ••••••>Getting Top SEO Ranking for Local Listings on Google Local, Yahoo Local, City Search etc.
  Local Search Continuing To Gain Steam
  ••••••> Using Local Search to Get Top 10 Rankings on Google and Yahoo
  How To Set Up And Use Local Google Search
  Significance of Local SEO

Article Tags: Google, Google Local Yahoo Local, local search, organic search, search engine optimization, search engines, search query, Yahoo



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Chain store hurdles - [quote:3v8nzz4s]Everyone I'm targeting are independent stores which helps me overcome one hurdle. [/quote:3v8nzz4s] What hurdle is that? I know the major stores like B&N, etc. like to deal with buyers and distributors, but I think they all cut some slack to "Local" authors, don't they? Every store I go into has its "Local Section," featuring local authors, as well as books about the locality. I wouldn't bypass them altogether. If you drive past one, why not go in and visit, talk to the manager, see what they say? [quote:3v8nzz4s]Bookstores want to order through Bowkers and I have their info and the ISBN (identification) numbers for my books. [/quote:3v8nzz4s] You mean the major chain ones do, right? Independent stores I think have no problem dealing directly with the publisher/author. But you want to get your money up front if possible in case they go out of business....as too many independents do these days.
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What Do You Want To Be Taught? - Hi, My name is Jeff Foster, I will be moderating this new section. I want to get your opinion on topics you would like to discuss & be taught on. I see a great need for small business owners to learn how to perform basic Search Engine Marketing (SEM) which would include the basics about Search Engine Optimization (SEO). What do you want to be taught on? Jeff


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