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.