SEOs Dissect How To Rank In Local Search

May 26, 2009 at 1:47pm ET by Matt McGee

logo Twenty-seven local search marketers from the U.S., Canada, and Europe have shared their opinions and insights in the second edition of the Local Search Ranking Factors. Organized by David Mihm, it’s a project that aims to help local businesses understand how Google and Yahoo rank local businesses.

David sent out a questionnaire listing 49 possible factors that affect local search rankings, and invited the participants (disclaimer: I’m one of them) to rank each factor on a scale ranging from “very important for ranking well” to “can hurt your ranking/lead to penalty.” According to the panel, the five factors with the most significant positive effect on local rankings are:

Having your Google/Yahoo local business listing with the address in the city being searched
Having citations from major data providers, such as infoUSA, Localeze, and Internet yellow pages providers
Associating your local business listing in the proper categories
Having a claimed, verified local business listing with Google/Yahoo
Having your product/service keywords (i.e., “hair salon,” “attorney”) in the title of your local business listing

Since the survey is in its second year, there are interesting comparisons you can make between what mattered last year and what matters now. David makes some of those comparisons on his blog.

If local search is important to you, the Local Search Ranking Factors is a must read.

Matt McGee is the Search Engine Land Assignment Editor, and offers search marketing consulting and training to businesses of all sizes. He blogs at Small Business Search Marketing and HyperlocalBlogger.com.

See more articles by Matt McGee >

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