How To Super Optimize For Google Local Listings - Part 1
With the recent Google algorithm update, ranking a business website for local listings became harder. You can read about the latest Google "Pigeon" update.
It doesn't mean we've hit a brick wall yet. With the right SEO strategy, you can still thrive in local listings.
What has changed from "Pigeon" update?
1) Many sites that have relied solely on directory citation submissions have been removed from local listings.
2) Google has reduced the number of businesses listed from 7 to 3 for many major keywords.
3) We are seeing more Google plus pages listed on local listings section.
What does it all mean?
1) Google is placing more emphasis on proper SEO signals for local listings. You cannot simply rely on a few local directory submissions and expect to rank well.
2) Presence of more Yelp and Google plus pages mean Google is leaning towards site authority signals. Business websites need to send authority signal in addition to strong local relevancy signal.
3) Google is making it harder for a local business to rank their site. Google is hoping for more frustration leading to growth in Adwords revenue.
Our strategy
Our strategy involves proper on-page SEO, authority signal building, maximizing NAP citations, and proper tier 2 backlinks.
We've been using and testing our strategy on multiple, highly competitive markets and the results have been great. Below are some of the local rankings we've achieved recently.
Note: We will not reveal the client's website for privacy reasons.
Click here to go to part 2 of this series for the detail on how we achieved each ranking. For privacy reasons, we have placed the content in a protected page. Please login in order to view the next page. The screenshot below shows where to find the article.
