I have one client that I cannot for the life of me get ranked in the google local listings. The business has been claimed. I've merged duplicate listings, there are no businesses with the same phone number or address. It has good citations. What else could it be?? This is driving me nuts and I can't find answers anywhere! Thanks Craig
It is really hard to give a direct answer unless you want to share the listing URL. Some things that can get you frustrated in getting clients listed. No or very few reviews. Having the location in the title of the listing. this used to be a easy to get on the map but no longer. Stuffing keywords in the title, Yes this used to be easy as well but if you choose the wrong word you will never get on the map. Google is penalizing listing for various issues. They do not remove you from the map just give you negative points and you either need to be 2 times better at everything else in order to get on the map or remove the penalty. If you do want to share the listing here just send me a email at andyc + localseoinc com and I will take a look Andy
Does the business have any reviews yet. They seem to make a difference. Of course a review done from their Google Maps page shows the quickest but other reviews on regular review sites will slowly be found by Google and added to the list. It just takes longer for them to show up. Also I noticed on some of the Map updates I did that they fell out of the box for a few days but came back. Some one else might be doing stuff for the competition at the same time. If the listing shows as completed (they have that completion progress bar and give the percentage) You may want to review and tweak the business description and the attributes sections. I would definitely focus on getting more positive customer reviews.
Hi With the local listing you need to look at which third party sites Google is pulling the other parts of the reviews from? Is it Qype or a niche listing site? Look at the site that are ranking in the top ten and carry out some analysis. What are they doing that you aren't? You then need to create listings on these sites to improve your the legitamacy of the site in Googles eyes. Having the address and phone number on the home page also helps. I have had success in this area and if you PM me I can show you some examples.
Have you actually ran this site through google webmaster tools? Sometimes an issue or two will show up that can easily be fixed.
How old is the listing? Sometimes it just takes some time to get in there. Make sure you've uploaded all relevant info. I think on average, google local LIKES new listings, and it's a win-win. I'd make sure you've followed all their suggestions too. Here's a few google links that speak more to the topic: http://www.google.com/support/places/bin/static.py?page=guide.cs&guide=28247&topic=28307 ..and here's a good one on finding your business (straight from google): http://www.google.com/support/place...uide.cs&guide=28247&topic=28288&answer=171127
Hey Craig, I'm pretty good at doing 'Places' detective work, if you want to shoot me the listing. I just took a client from #44 to #1 that had a bear of a mess with duplicate and rogue listings and all kinds of inconsistent data all over the net. I agree with Andy and he really knows his stuff. I read his posts on the Google help forum all the time. HI ANDY!
They used to have at least one person dedicated to answering questions. That seems to have stopped around October. I have not been able to get any answers since then!