Google has recently changed its algorithm for Local Business Listings

Google has recently changed its algorithm for Local Business Listings, giving top spots only to those that feed the search engine’s ever-increasing need for content.

Raise Your Local Business Listing Rank in Google LOCAL – Keep reading to learn what Google Local Business Listings are, what’s changed recently, and how to optimize so your local business is on top of the map.

Google Local Business Listings are different from organic or pay-per-click listings. They typically only appear when the user types a service-oriented business name, followed by the city, for their search. A large map from Google Maps appears alongside up to ten URLs, each with a phone number.

If you need more than ten listings, you can click on “More Results from ‘Insert City’.

You will be taken to a map with alphabetically lettered red pegs for each registered business on Google Maps.

It seems that over the last year, being listed on Google Maps and/or Google’s Local Business Listings has become even more critical, as they are displayed more frequently in search, with up to ten listings appearing before organic listings even start.

Changes in Google Local Business Listings’ Algorithm.

One of our clients was listed and is still listed under a Local Business Listing for their service, but it seems the listing dropped significantly in a short period; they went from #2 to #44 out of 3,656.

Since many local business owners are seeing the value in these listings and Google makes the submission process much easier to understand than the general ins and outs of SEO, competition is on the rise.

With this recent update, I’ve decided that Google Local Business Listings has its own algorithm. After noticing what the patterns were and what the top listings did, I made some adjustments using the modeling method. Soon after, I saw a massive rise in ranking.

Based on research and observation, the pattern that presents itself for those who are high on the listings is that they have:

1. Photos – They only recently allowed this. Add as many photos as you can and a company logo.

2. Multiple Reviews – These must be from real customers. You can not have too many. Don’t fake them either; they’re easy to see. Just as with Amazon, people trust products that have lots of reviews and an average rating of three stars or higher.

3. Use Keywords in Company Description – They offer an area where the business representative can describe what the company offers.

4. Use Keywords in Company Name – Don’t be deceptive by changing your company name, but if your keywords are in the extended business name or LLC, ensure this is the name you register.

5. Add a Coupon – Google allows you to add printable coupons to your listing.
Add these elements to your Google Local Business Listing, and you’ll be sure to rank in the top ten.

6. Create links to the listing – Add a link from your homepage to the listing and encourage current customers or website visitors to review your company.

7. Add Videos – If your company already has videos on YouTube, you can embed them directly on the page.

Also see: ADD YOUR PRODUCTS FOR FREE TO GOOGLE FOR RETAIL

Post excerpts  by Neil at Level 10 Design