If spam isn't an indication of the arrival of an advertising medium (e.g. email spam, search spam) I don't know what is. Mike Blumenthal, who identified instances of Google mapspam has now investigated non-local businesses trying to fool the local algorithms on Yahoo into thinking they are local. Blumenthal cites detailed examples of gaming with fake addresses, phone numbers and, in some cases, fake reviews to boost rankings, which give these businesses prominence not only in Yahoo Local but also in general Yahoo search results. [...]

Related Topics: Channel: SEO | SEO: Local | SEO: Spamming | Yahoo: Maps & Local

The first widely reported Google Mapspam (and see here) clearly highlighted the potential and pitfalls for local search. Mapspam is a relatively new phenomemon, where black hat SEOs are spamming local search and map listings. It also raised a number of questions for Google, and for the search marketing industry: Will spam define local's future? How should Google respond to verified reports of Mapspam? Is Google's abuse reporting mechanism adequate? When and what technical changes will Google make to prevent future abuse? How can the integrity of maps data be guaranteed? How should the grow [...]

Related Topics: Channel: SEO | Google: Maps & Local | SEO: Local | SEO: Spamming

Is it black hat "mapspam," a mistake or a creative response to a legitimate business need? Mike Blumenthal has chronicled the history of some recent bulk upload abuse on Google Maps in a couple of detailed posts: TechPro's CEO speaks about Google Maps Bulk Upload abuse and the related Batten down the hatches: More Google Mapspam on the way to a Local Map near you? The issue involves two companies (or their SEO firms) using the bulk upload process to create what amount to false local listings that appear in Google Maps and in Google OneBox/Universal Search presentations of local data in Google [...]

Related Topics: Channel: SEO | Google: Maps & Local | SEO: Local | SEO: Spamming

Google's recent deployment of Universal Search resulted in the inclusion of content drawn in from their other search verticals into the main web search results. As this integration trend continues, and as Google further expands upon the 200+ signals they use for ranking, it becomes increasingly important to diversify a site's presence on the web, and to work on ranking well in each of the various areas of vertical search. We might reasonably expect that "diversification of signal" could also help with ranking in each of the individual verticals as well. The lines are blurring and [...]

Related Topics: Channel: SEO | Local Search | SEO: Image Search | SEO: Local

Kevin Newcomb at Search Engine Watch points to Michael Gray's blog, where Gray has just begun a kind of all-star line-up of interviews on "local search tips, tricks and secrets" with some industry leading practitioners. These are in-depth discussions and most will be worth taking a look at. Here's the roster. He has already completed the first four: Aaron Wall - Local Search Interview Dean Bloomfield - Local Search Interview Bill Slawski - Local Search Interview Scott Smith - Local Search Interview George Kepnick - Local Search Interview 2/6/2007 Rich Skrenta - Local Search Interview 2/6/20 [...]

Related Topics: Channel: SEO | Search Marketing: Local Search Marketing | SEO: Local

Extreme Local Search Optimization Tactics by Chris Silver Smith of SuperPages.com at the Natural Search Blog has given us seven "extreme" local SEO tips we might try in our local SEO campaigns. Here they are in short. (1) Use keywords in your business name title. (2) Use "A" in the first part of your business name, some local search engines list business alphabetically. (3) Move your business to a more populated area. (4) Get a listing in the directories for each location your business provides services in. (5) Lobby for your street address to be changed to keywords about your business. (6) [...]

Related Topics: Channel: SEO | SEO: Local

Yesterday's SearchDay article referenced a Yahoo-Harris Poll conducted in October about user-generated content and its importance to local buying decisions. The poll involved roughly 2,700 U.S. adults. Here were the verbatim questions and the top-level findings: Are you more likely to post a rating or review of a local business if it is a positive review, a negative review, or are you equally likely to post a positive or a negative review? Likely to post a review (net): 67% Negative review: 9% Positive review: 8% Equally likely to post a positive or a negative review: 50% I am not likel [...]

Related Topics: Channel: SEO | Search Engines: Maps & Local Search Engines | Search Engines: Social Search Engines | Search Marketing: Local Search Marketing | SEO: Local | Yahoo: Maps & Local

Search engine marketer Mike Blumenthal on his blog, "Understanding Google Maps & Yahoo Local," has been doing an interesting investigation to try and understand the Google Maps and local search algorithm and what factors influence those rankings. As a basic matter, Google uses different algorithms for general and local search results. I spoke with Mike on Friday, and he said that one of the surprising takeaways from his ongoing research is that Google also appeared to be using different factors to determine results in the top three local results that appear on Google.com ("OneBox") and the ra [...]

Related Topics: Channel: SEO | Google: Maps & Local | Google: OneBox, Plus Box & Direct Answers | SEO: Local

Matt McGee writes 8 Simple Steps to Make a Page More "Local" at Search Engine Guide. The tips to get into local search, in short, place your address and phone number on your pages, ensure your contact us has your address, make a page for directions with written out directions, link to Google and Yahoo maps, include your geographic location in the title tag, list the locations your business services and link to your geo-specific pages with descriptive geo-specific anchor text. [...]

Related Topics: Channel: SEO | SEO: Local