A Guide to Google Places

Most of us are now familiar with local listings on Google. We have all at one time been subjected to the “7 push-pin” map that often appears in search results for pretty much any search that can return local results. Furthermore, with search results being more personalized it is not even necessary to append your search with a geographic location.

Example of 7 Push Pin Map in Search Results

Google knows where you are and will return local results they feel are most relevant to your query. The importance of having a local listing for your business goes without saying.  So let’s get started creating your local listing, getting ranked in local results and cover a few important features available on Google Places.

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Optimizing PDF’s for Search Engines

When it comes to optimizing the pages on your website, PDF’s should not be overlooked. Engines do crawl them and quite often they show up very high in organic search results.  Many companies have a plethora of content assets that come in the form of PDF’s. From marketing brochures, white papers, technical bulletins to press releases, and each of them should be optimized for engines before its placed on your site.

Here are a few tips to optimize your PDF’s for search engines.

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Google Instant: The Scoop & SEO, PPC, Search Behavior Impacts

They’ve done it again….Google has released yet another breakthrough as to how results are displayed on the SERP’s (Search Engine Results Pages). This time it comes in the form of instant, predictive search results. Meaning, as you type a search query the search results below will change automatically.

Some find this a major annoyance, others love it. There is also a lot of buzz about how this will affect SEO, PPC and search behavior in general. Either way, this is just more proof of how rapidly the art of SEM changes and how we constantly have to relearn our techniques and adjust.

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Our Take on Foursquare vs. Facebook Places

Some people love these location based social apps, others hate it. Yes, we agree it is not necessary to know what someone is doing every second of their life. And for those of you who check in at your own home…seriously, please stop. No one cares you are finally home relaxing on your couch with your favorite beverage and TV show.

However, for SMB’s, especially those catering to local audiences, and individuals who use these channels sporadically to share tips and add comments, these location based social apps hold value.

We have been talking about Foursquare and Facebook Places for a while now on our Facebook & Twitter pages. We have been avidly using Foursquare for many months now, and we like it. Since the launch of Facebook Places however, there have been many discussions on if the social behemoth we know as Facebook will kill other apps like Foursquare and Gowalla, and why use one over the other. Here is our take of what we think works, what doesn’t and how we use them.

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Yahoo/Bing Search Alliance: Organic Optimization Tips

 On August 24, 2010 Yahoo organic results began being powered by Bing as part of the Yahoo/Bing Search Alliance in the US (other markets to follow, with complete transition by 2012).   If you receive traffic from Yahoo organic listings now, especially if the Yahoo traffic is higher than Bing organic traffic, this switch could impact your overall organic traffic values. 

Every engine has different algorithms, and thus different optimization techniques. Since listings will be displayed for approximately 30% of search queries after this change (according to comScore), it’s important to take a look at how well your site is optimized for Bing.  Here are a few tips:

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