5 local SEO insights from Google’s API documentation leak
Local search takeaways from leaked Google API docs, covering video content, click behavior, local authority and more.
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Andrew Shotland's latest articles
Bizarre review schema implementation spotlights gaps between Google’s guidelines & how rich results really work
Google has made its review markup guidelines fairly clear and has even issued penalties to sites that utilize spammy or misleading structured data markup. But columnist Andrew Shotland points out that many sites are still violating these guidelines, intentionally or unintentionally.
Local SEO for service-area businesses requires a lot of servicing
What does it take to get noticed as a service-area business? Columnist Andrew Shotland explains some of the challenges facing these businesses and offers tips for how to approach your local SEO efforts.
Google says we don’t need no stinking location modifiers… or do we?
Google recently stated that users are beginning to drop location qualifiers when searching for local businesses. But is it time for local SEOs to stop focusing on these terms? Columnist Andrew Shotland discusses.
If your GMB page updates & no one knows, does it make a sound?
If you work in the local SEO space, you may have noticed that Google sometimes makes unwanted updates to your Google My Business listings. Columnist Andrew Shotland dives into the issue.
National retailers: Stop ignoring local SEO
National retailers’ digital divisions often think of their websites as e-commerce sites first and local store sites second. Columnist Andrew Shotland explains why this mindset may be hurting their ability to get the most out of organic search.
‘Things to do near me’ SEO
Columnist Andrew Shotland takes a look at the "near me" phenomenon and shares data that helps illuminate how to rank for these queries.
Can SEOs make local search great again in 2017?
The road ahead looks rough for local SEO practitioners and agencies, but is there hope? Columnist Andrew Shotland takes a look at what recent trends mean for those who serve local search clients.
When going HTTPS, don’t forget about local citations!
Columnist Andrew Shotland shares some common problems that occur during site migrations to HTTPS and explains the importance of updating your citations.
How do you deal with local SEO KPIs that don’t pass the smell test?
We all know that data can sometimes be unreliable, but columnist Andrew Shotland makes the case for why we shouldn't just rely on free Google tools for data collection and analysis.
Local citations are dead; long live local citations!
Local citations are often thought to be the bread and butter of local SEO, but are we placing too much importance on them? Columnist Andrew Shotland discusses the results of a study which suggests we might be.
How does Google’s local algorithm work in 2016?
Columnist Andrew Shotland shares insights gleaned from a large-scale statistical analysis of local search ranking factors in Google.
Ask The SEOs at SMX Advanced
Unable to attend SMX Advanced this year? Columnist Andrew Shotland recaps the "Ask The SEOs" session for those who missed it.
Do you have the right local SEO tools for the job?
Planning and executing a local search campaign requires a lot of data and insight, making a good local SEO tool stack invaluable. Columnist and local search expert Andrew Shotland shares his.
The SEO risks & rewards of buying multi-location companies
SEO value is rarely considered in acquisition deals. Using Sports Authority as an example, columnist Andrew Shotland discusses how a website's SEO should factor into these discussions.
Don’t trust Google to structure your local data
As Google increasingly incorporates direct answers and other types of featured snippets into search results pages, columnist Andrew Shotland points out that businesses may want to get smarter about marking up their pages.
Google Posts are going to kill (at) local SEO
Columnist Andrew Shotland discusses the impact Google Local Business Cards may have on local businesses and local SEO. Will they help, or will they hurt?
Franchise SEO: For Masochists Only
Performing local search engine optimization for franchise locations can be a real pain. Columnist Andrew Shotland explores some common issues for local search marketers, as well as solutions.
Why Local Rank Trackers Fail
Columnist Andrew Shotland finds most local ranking solutions to be lacking for a number of reasons. Is there any way to solve this problem?
Even If A Brand Can’t Do SEO, It Can Still Do Local SEO
Having trouble getting traction for your SEO campaign due to bureaucratic red tape? Columnist Andrew Shotland suggests that you consider thinking local.
Google Switched To Local 3-Packs: Is There Cause For Alarm?
Should local search marketers be worried about Google's new local display format in SERPs? Columnist Andrew Shotland takes a look at the impact from multiple angles.
The Locals Take On Google’s Home Service Ads
Google is currently beta testing its program to promote local home service providers in search ads, so columnist Andrew Shotland asked some experts in the field for their initial impressions.
How To Scale Google My Business Support For Enterprises Like A Boss
Troubleshooting Google My Business issues is difficult enough for a single location, so how can multi-location businesses keep up? Columnist Andrew Shotland shares his strategy.
From oDesk To Upwork: How To Migrate A Domain And Not Kill Your SEO
Columnist Andrew Shotland presents a case study in how to rebrand and switch domains while preserving (and even improving) your search engine optimization.
How To Acquire A New Location & Avoid Screwing Up The Local SEO
Expanding your business by acquiring a new location? Columnist Andrew Shotland discusses how to preserve its existing search equity while rebranding.
5 Ways Sites Can Dodge Google’s Doorway Page Update
Columnist Andrew Shotland discusses Google's ranking adjustment dealing with doorway pages and suggests ways that local businesses can avoid getting slammed.
AMA: Common Local SEO Mistakes Made By Businesses Big & Small
Have questions about local SEO? Columnist Andrew Shotland has anticipated these questions and is answering them, Reddit-style!
This Small Business Redesigned Its Website & You Won’t Believe What Horrible SEO Thing Happened Next
Columnist Andrew Shotland took on a client who'd lost rankings as a result of a site redesign. Here's what he did to help them recover.
10 Things I Learned About Local SEO In 2014
We may not be in school anymore, but as we in the SEO business know, the education process never ends. With that in mind, I’d like to share with you some of the things I learned about this bizarre trade we practice over the past year: 1. Never Again, Google; Never Again First they came […]
The Post-Google Local Survival Guide
Ask any local SEO worth their salt, and they will tell you that the Pigeon algorithm update has been a kind of big shift in local search results. Traditionally, when an algorithm update causes a major shift in the SERPs, SEOs adjust their strategy and tactics accordingly. Consider this: we had a single location client that […]
Why Did Google’s Pigeon Poop All Over Big Local Brands?
Many large, multi-location brands found that their traffic dropped after Google released its Pigeon algorithm. Columnist Andrew Shotland discusses why.
Real Client Data On How Google’s Pigeon Update Affected Real Estate SEO
You might be surprised to find that, for one vertical at least, the results after Pigeon were not at all what one would have expected.
Picking Through Google’s Pigeon Droppings…
Local appears to have been hit with the most far reaching update since Venice, and one that has flung more kaka than Hummingbird — so “Pigeon” seems pretty apropos, perhaps because Google appears to be treating many local SERPs like so many statues in the park. Pigeon Is A Major Flux In SERP Order & Features Result […]
Is Your Local Business Ready For Google’s Neighborhood Algorithm?
While doing some research in Costa Mesa, CA last week, I hit a Google test bucket that specified the East Side Costa Mesa neighborhood as my location in Search Tools: Google has long understood super well-known dense neighborhoods like SoHo, NY. But there’s a good reason why neighborhoods, particularly smaller city neighborhoods, have not been […]
How To Get A Medical Marijuana Dispensary Into Google Places
I was stoked when Chris Silver Smith turned us all on to the potential issues with marijuana and local search last month. As an early dabbler in helping marijuana dispensaries figure out local SEO, I, too, think it’s high time to help marketers recognize the challenges and opportunities in this fast-growing industry. One of the biggest […]
An Open Letter From Google To Local Directory Sites (Parody)
To: Local Directories From: Google Re: Local Search Rankings Hey guys… You may have noticed that over the past year, a lot of the organic traffic to your sites has been… well, we guess the right word is “tanking.” As you know, it is our […]
Why Duplicate Business Listings Are Like The Walking Dead
In the Local SEO biz, we spend a lot of time fixing duplicate business listings. Duplicate records of your business appearing throughout the Local Search ecosystem can cause a variety of issues like messing with your Google Local rankings, causing you to lose business, and may even make you feel like you’re experiencing a zombie […]
Local SEO Scam Of The Month: Craigslist SEO
Most SEO consultants I have met are pretty decent, hard-working folks. But there are plenty of SEO con artists out there, and it kills me every time I see a small business (or a big business) get taken. Recently, I had the privilege to witness a true Picasso of SEO con artists. I am sharing […]
5 Trusted Accounts Every Local SEO Should Have
As local marketers, most of us know how to set up a Google Places for Business account or create a Facebook Page. But, these are not the only accounts you should be creating in order to get the full benefit of your local SEO campaign. Below are five trusted accounts every local SEO should have […]
Did Hummingbird Just Kill Your Local SEO?
Let’s cut to the chase: no, it didn’t (see Betteridge’s Law of Headlines). But Search Engine Land tells me the Hummingbird stuff really drives the page views these days, so you only have yourself to blame. :) That said, Google’s Hummingbird algorithm, along with all of the other awesome updates Google has made over the […]