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.
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....
Hooray! Google My Business descriptions are back
Contributor Joy Hawkins points out GMB has brought back the business description field and shares helpful tips on how a business owner can get...
Why we need to fight fake reviews
As a business owner, are you tempted to slip in a few positive reviews since you think everyone is doing it? Resist, says contributor Wesley...
6 smart e-commerce lessons to boost local business
With more and more people window shopping on a small screen, contributor Wesley Young shares six ways to use online tactics to drive customers...
Are Yelp ads worth paying for? How to figure it out
Contributor Joy Hawkins isn't sure Yelp ads are better in all cases and provides a detailed case study comparing the efficiency of Adwords over...
Google’s growth in online local reviews continues to dominate, but…
Contributor Jamie Pitman shows us why we should keep an eye on TripAdvisor and Facebook when trying to increase online...
Why entities may power the future of location-based data
Businesses with physical locations need to strengthen their entities, says Columnist Adam Dorfman -- doing so helps Google track customers and...
International SEO and search trends: How does it all work?
Contributor Marcus Miller provides an overview of how to implement an international SEO strategy and suggests what is right for your company...
How do you optimize content for a voice-first world?
Want to know how to optimize your content for voice search? Contributor Sherry Bonelli shares how to incorporate smart SEO tactics to increase...
Customer loyalty: A key ingredient for successful local search results
Loyal customers are both your cheerleaders and bodyguards. Contributor Wesley Young shares six ways to boost local search results using customer...
Are you getting credit for all of your organic visits from GMB?
Getting credit for all of your Google My Business clicks can be a challenge. Contributor Greg Gifford shares a solution to this GMB attribution...
Google Questions and Answers: Everything you need to know
Looking to take advantage of this new Google My Business feature? Columnist Joy Hawkins explains how to get started with Google...
Local search industry optimistic about 2018 — but less likely to hire
Columnist Jamie Pitman shares insights about the state of the local search industry from BrightLocal’s Local Search Industry...
How much will privacy regulation disrupt the local search market in 2018?
Columnist Wesley Young covers a growing storm of events that are likely to culminate in substantial regulatory change and analyzes the impact...
Negative reviews from ex-employees are finally against Google’s guidelines
Google recently updated its review policies to clarify that reviews left by former employees are considered to be in violation of its...
Mind your business: Our top local search columns of 2017
Search Engine Land's most widely read local search columns from 2017 covered a wide range of topics, from algorithm updates and new Google My...
How independent reviews influence Google’s trust in your brand
Cultivating user reviews is an integral part of any search strategy, especially for local businesses. Columnist Pratik Dholakiya discusses the...
3 inconsistencies in Yelp’s review solicitation crackdown
Yelp has taken a hard line against review solicitation, but columnist Brian Patterson believes the company may be taking it too...
