Local Search Column
Local Search provides the latest news and information about the growing segment of local search marketing, including tips on how to take advantage of local directory providers and online yellow page listings, mapping tools and location based services to help users uncover real-world merchants, franchise locations, locally owned small businesses and community places. Columnists cover geo-targeting, zip code and map data being used by searchers and search engines to provide locally relevant results.
What should service area businesses be focusing on in search?
Here's some guidance for businesses to take advantage of a recent change in Google My Business to submit exact regions of operation rather than...
Developing a schema strategy for local business: An interview with Schema App’s Martha van Berkel
Semantic markup offers the most clear-cut opportunity to tell search engines about your small business website. Discover the benefits and learn...
3 reasons why Google My Business search queries don’t match Search Console
If you work in local search, are you regularly checking the Search Query report in Google My Business Insights? Here's why you should...
Are you guilty of these common SEO mistakes?
Mistakes happen. When they do, the best response is to learn from your errors, and those made by others, so you can turn them into...
How the hospitality industry should approach online reviews and citations
Looking for more positive reviews? Here are some smart ways to build citations and reviews plus tips to boost the visibility of businesses in...
6 ways the August core algorithm update impacted local business
Was your site affected by the recent core algorithm update? Here's a look at the changes made to local and small business sites after the...
How to manage multiple GMB listings for service area businesses
Contributor Brian Smith offers insights on how service area businesses can use GMB's bulk syndication service to increase their visibility and...
5 local SEO myths and misconceptions that Will. Not. Die.
Like a bad penny, there are certain local SEO myths that keep turning up. Contributor Joy Hawkins lists a number of misconceptions and explains...
Rebranding your local business? Don’t start without reading these tips
Rebranding an established business is not easy, says contributor Jamie Pitman, especially for small businesses. Here are 6 marketing and local...
Apple Maps takes a step in the right direction
Keep your business listings on Google Maps updated, says contributor Adam Dorfman -- and don't overlook doing the same on Apple Maps. Here's a...
Do Google reviews impact local ranking?
Based on her research, contributor Joy Hawkins thinks reviews may play some part in how a local page ranks. Here is a case study that shows her...
Google My Business listings: 5 frequently asked questions
GMB has a handful of new features and some best-practice confusion. Contributor Sherry Bonelli clears things up and answers five frequently...
Practice useful marketing for local business content success
As a small business owner, you fight big brands and a ranking system that favors them. How can you compete? Contributor Jamie Pitman shares 3...
How social networks usurp Google’s local search dominance
Google may dominate most results, but not local search. Contributor Wesley Young looks at how Facebook and other social networks take a...
How does Yelp’s review solicitation penalty work?
Contributor Joy Hawkins provides an overview of how Yelp's review solicitation penalty works and explains why you should not ask for...
Finally! The 800 million ways Facebook gets serious about local business
Contributor Adam Dorfman explains how to capitalize on the one-two punch of Facebook advertising and organic engagement through Marketplace,...
Google My Business Q&A: What you may be missing
Did you know you can add a custom FAQ to your GMB listing? Contributor Sherry Bonelli explains how to use the often-overlooked Q&A feature to...
It’s time for local business to take voice search seriously
Pokémon Go and fidget spinners are fads, but voice search for a local business is not, says contributor Jamie Pitman. With new technologies...
How to survive Google’s new local search world
Google has made some significant changes in the area of local search. Contributor Wesley Young gives an overview of the important changes and...
Better Business Bureau reviews are complex. Here’s what you need to know
Contributor Joy Hawkins hires a pool company and finds that the BBB's site isn't as simple as she previously believed....
