Local SEO | Google Places Optimization

The most recent change you may have noticed on Google is that the Google Places local business listings have been combined with organic search listings to produce one blended result of search listings. This change has affected the page rank for tons of local businesses.  If you keep a close eye on your Google Places listing you will notice the big “G” likes to change the appearance of how it displays the listings and information for local Google searchers several times a year. 1stBay, a Florida SEO keeps track of these changes with our Google Places Optimization service to help small business owners wanting local seo to stay on top. Below you'll notice the most recent changes that have affected all search areas across the United States and in Canada.

 

Several years ago local seo was not really needed. When registering your business with Google back in 2006, very basic information would usually generate some sort decent results when conducting a local business search. For example, if you type in “CPA Tampa Florida” you would get a few listings of CPAs without websites and just their basic Google map listing.  Competition has grown fierce. Because of this the big "G" created a new algorithm for Google Places pages and those folks without a website are now nowhere to be seen. 1stBay’s local seo research and development team aggressively studies and practices different techniques specifically for Google Places optimization to develop new solutions to keep our clients on the front page.

 

So unless you are the first and only person to offer your product or service through the Internet with all patents and trademarks you will need good local seo. Simply registering your business with Google is no longer going to be a viable option to see monetary results.