Local Search Ranking Factors
Normally we try and keep this blog focused on Australian content, local directories and local search topics, however a recent report has been compiled that covers most of the major factors that impact on local search listings.
As These factors have a global impact, even if we’re not seeing some of the results at the moment, they will certainly trickle down our end of the world soon enough, so if we can be aware of what things are most important to focus on, we’ll be able to stay one step ahead of our competitors.
To borrow a quote from the site:
It is my hope that this study will help small business owners confused by Local Search, or those strapped for time, to prioritize their marketing efforts.
So without any further ado, I introduce you to the report for Local Search Ranking Factors 2009 as compiled by 27 prominent bloggers and local search practitioners.
Google Local and Yellow Pages
In November last year (2008) Google Maps announced a new partnership with Sensis to integrate data from its Yellow Pages online listings into the Australian Google Maps results (and breaking the previous ties Google had with True Local. In the article discussing the deal, the integration was to take place in the first quarter of 2009… and on April 1, it seems like this has now taken place.
Within the first week of the integration, a number of noticeable changes occurred:
- previously high listed sites dropping our of the local search results (usually displayed next to a map at the top of the Google search page)
- sites with TrueLocal listings and no Yellow Pages presence dropping out of the local search results alltogether
- new sites popping into the top local listings that co-incidentally had premium Yellow Pages accounts that were nowhere to be seen previously
As you could imagine, this caused a great deal of upset and concern within the local search industry as it indicated that the only way of ranking well in this space was to pay for a premium listing – in a system that Google had always boasted would remain free and unbiased like all the other organic search results.
Some argue that Google and Yellow were trying to test these changes to see if anyone would notice or perhaps it was a manual error with the way the migration of data was handled. The good news however is that these issues have now been fixed and the local search listings and Google Maps business results are back to displaying a cross-section of data as it always has done.
Did Google fix this due to the backlash from people noticing the drastic changes or did they simply notice it through further testing once the migration was complete – we’ll never know, but at least local business owners will not be required to sign-up for a Yellow Pages premium listing just to get into the top local search box.
AussieWeb is finding staff with MyCareer
I received the following email from AussieWeb today:
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Hi Peter,
This is the team from AussieWeb Local Search where your free business listing exists at http://www.aussieweb.com.au/
One of the largest activities for small businesses is finding the right staff. We hear this all the time from the users of our local search directory.
For this reason we have added http://www.mycareer.com.au/ to our business directory web site. You can now add job vacancies to your listing and receive a 5% discount from My Career. To get the 5% discount, simply log in to update your listing on AussieWeb Local Search and then click on the Jobs tab to enter the MyCareer website to register your vacancy.
As an added bonus, users of our directory will find job vacancies for your company when they search on your type of business, thus giving your job advertisement more exposure and increasing it’s effectiveness. Of course, your ad will also appear on the My Career web site. A win-win for all concerned.
The AussieWeb Local Search Team
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From digging a little deeper, this appears to be one of many new additions that AussieWeb are introducing to their local search directory.
AussieWeb’s Official Blog provides a little more information with their posts – AussieWeb Local Search looking for new additions and My Career being add to AussieWeb Local Search
Building the business directory profiles
Here’s where the fun stops and we get serious. In order to provide you with the best informed opinions of the Australian local search world we strive to:
- stay in contact with directory owners and management
- present the latest developments across the industry
- discuss opinions with leading authorities
- recommend listing strategies for free/paid directories
- host interviews with informed sources
Finally, we will present this information in it’s simplest fashion. Our team aren’t stroking anyones back so you can be assured you’re getting the best deal in your visit.
We can’t do this alone, shortly you’ll be able to help us decide the top directories by submitting reviews, ratings and feedback of your experience with them.
Watch them purr like a kitten or deal that punishing blow you’ve held onto for too long, it’s all about involving you in our efforts. Stay tuned.
Why focus on local Australian search?
I’m Peter Newsome and like Michael, I’m also a co-founder and contributing writer for Start Listing.
Locally focused search has been around for a number of years, both internationally and here in Australia, but there has never been a greater focus on local search than now. This was recently re-enforced when Google formed a partnership with Rupert Murdoch’s company, News Corporation (owners of TrueLocal) earlier this year. More details here – Google and News map out web deal.
Whilst the larger players are gaining press coverage, there are still a lot of smaller, high quality business directories that have been embracing Australia’s booming local online search market without all the accolades.
At Start Listing, we don’t discriminate – it doesn’t matter whether you’re as big as Google or a much smaller niche directory – if it provides benefit to the Australian Search Market, we’ll be reporting on it.
We also encourage feedback from all our readers – so please, don’t be shy to add comments and let us know what YOU think.
Welcome to the Start Listing Local Search blog!
I’m Michael Visser, co-founder of Start Listing and one of the team of writers on this blog. We’re set to be the fastest growing Australian local search and marketing blog aiming to provide news on the latest local search and online business directory developments across Oceania, including Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific.
I’ll let the other guys introduce themselves when they’re ready. Together we’re able to cover and provide the very best news to help you decide which local search provider is worth investing in. Stick around.