Have you seen the new updates that Google is pushing into it’s indexes?
Basically, if you don’t rank on page one of Google’s organic search results and you don’t have a listing on Google Places ranked on page one, you’re going to lose out on A LOT of potential business.
That has always been the case, but now that these two have combined, it will be an even bigger loss for your business if you’re not present in both simultaneously.
If you don’t know what I’m talking about, absorb the image below (click to enlarge):
How did I find this?
I did a test search today and noticed a huge change in the search results (shown above).
Now, this very well could be a test that Google’s running but if this were to stick, it could be a big game changer where Google combines organic search with local search results.
After looking at the results, I’m reminded of how important it is to be on “page one” of Google’s search results for your keyterms and having a lot of reviews on various local pages like Google Places, CitySearch, Yelp, etc.
You can see how Google is morphing these two together; which is brilliant.
Do a test in your city using the following search phrase formula “Your City Name + State name + Martial Arts” so that it looks something like the following “New York New York Martial Arts” like in the example above.
Is anyone else seeing this in their search results?
I’d love to know so we can understand if this is a test or a permanent change.
Popularity: 6%
I just got solicited for google optimization for $75 per month. That’s steep. My problem is, google gives the wrong directions to my school. I spend lots of time guiding people a quarter mile down the road. I wonder to whom I could get to fix this.
Jim,
Perhaps this will help you correct the wrong directions Google is providing?
http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/maps/thread?tid=6b5041c345157806&hl=en
Hope it helps and thanks for reading!
–
Ryan