Matt McGee’s 10 Likely Elements of Google’s Local Search Algorithm explores what makes Google Local different from Google.com algorithmically. Here they are in summary:

1. Use of Google’s Local Business Center (LBC)
2. Availability/Trust of other business data
3. A Business Web Site
4. Listings in 2nd-tier Local Directories
5. Listings in Vertical Directories
6. References from other Web sites
7. Reviews
8. Proximity to location
9. Location Prominence and User Query
10. Use of other Google services

Related Topics: Google: Maps & Local

About The Author: Barry Schwartz is Search Engine Land's News Editor and owns RustyBrick, a NY based web consulting firm. He also runs Search Engine Roundtable, a popular search blog on very advanced SEM topics. Barry's personal blog is named Cartoon Barry and he can be followed on Twitter here. For more background information on Barry, see his full bio over here. See more articles by Barry Schwartz