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Hawaii Joins The Google Street View Union; Microsoft Updates Look Of Bing Maps, Adds Features
Google has now added Hawaii to Street View, making it the 50th and final US state to be included in the Maps image database. You can also get these images in Google Maps for Mobile. Google launched Street View a little more than two years ago, in May 2007. Since that time there has been […]
Google AdWords Adds New Alerts & Place Pages Performance Reports
Google AdWords announced two updates including new alerts and place pages in performance reports, let me explain both in more detail. The new alerts are designed to help you stay on top of your campaigns. In addition to the billing alerts, they added alerts for new keyword and budget ideas in the Opportunities tab. Also, […]
Local Newspapers Need To Embrace SEO To Survive
It's no secret that newspapers have been struggling with the disruptive innovations introduced by Google, and this has resulted in some level of resistance and a circling-of-the-wagons mentality by the industry. But, what if they were to go in the opposite direction, with full engagement? Search engine optimization could really help newspapers, and here's one tactic for how to do it.
Business Owners: Are You Sabotaging Your Own Local Listings?
As SEO rapidly becomes a core task for local business owners, there’s a new temptation to build advertising messages or tracking mechanisms into business listings on the web. Typically, this might mean adding a slogan or campaign tagline to a business name or changing an office address to appear local to more customers. Unfortunately, this […]
Best Buy: “Would You Like A Google App With That?”
In the increasingly high stakes game of mobile search, Google is leaving almost nothing to chance. Take the company’s very interesting new partnership with Best Buy stores for example. According to the Google Mobile Blog: We’re happy to announce today that we’ve partnered with Best Buy Mobile to make Google Mobile App available through Best […]
Blocking And Tackling: 10 Fundamentals Of Local SEO
We’ve reached the midpoint of fantasy football season, and in our SEMpdx league, my team is hanging on to a playoff slot by a thread. (Yes, I am “that guy” who roots for the Patriots to get into the red zone and then stall out, just so my fantasy kicker Stephen Gostkowski gets a chance […]
Google Removes Phone Numbers From 7 Pack
Google has apparently removed phone numbers from the so-called 7 Pack of organic local results. The numbers were present as recently as 24-36 hours ago. Immediately below is an example of a recent search result for “dentist, San Francisco” (within the last several weeks) and then for the same query this morning: The result on […]
Google Targets Spammers With New Local Business Listing Guidelines
Google has tweaked its guidelines for local businesses that use the Google Maps Local Business Center. The new guidelines are listed on Google’s Business Listing Quality Guidelines page. On Search Engine Roundtable, Barry Schwartz shows both the old and new guidelines, while on his blog, Mike Blumenthal charts the differences between the two versions. According […]
Google Maps Creates New UK Town Called Argleton
Google and its UK map provider, Tele Atlas, are cleaning the egg off their faces this week over the appearance of a town called Argleton in Google Maps. It’s right there on Google Maps, and there’s even an Argleton place page with photos and more. Problem is, Argleton doesn’t exist. The Telegraph picked up the […]
Are You Ready For Google Local Social Search?
Google’s new social search experiment is kind of a big deal for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is it will open up lots of opportunity for smart local search marketers.
Google Maps Makes Real Estate Search More Visible
Google continues to make real estate listings more prominent inside Google Maps, and in doing so, it continues to inch closer to being a full-fledged real estate search engine. The company announced today that a new “real estate” option has been added across Google Maps. It appears under the “More” tab, along with Photos, Videos, […]
One Cannot Live By PPC Alone. Can You?
Much has been written lately about the value of combining text ads with display/image advertising online in order to boost visibility and brand awareness. This trend is not necessarily a new one: Yahoo/comScore issued a study in 2006 showing an increase in “online and offline purchasing by consumers who are exposed to integrated campaigns” that […]
Disruptamundo: Google Adds Turn-by-Turn Navigation To Mobile Maps
I hate the word “disruptive,” as it’s often used in the internet world, because it’s something of a cliche. But I use it here because the new Navigation for Google Maps for Mobile will in fact be — disruptive. On Monday we covered Google Navigation, the then rumor, asking “Will A Free Google GPS Sink […]
Will A Free Google GPS Sink The Navigation Industry?
Lots of companies make a good living from hardware and software GPS navigation systems. In the US carriers such as Verizon and Sprint and personal navigation device (PND) makers such as TomTom, Garmin, Magellan, among others, earn device and subscription revenues from turn-by-turn routing and directions and points of interest directories. There are a number […]
Local Search: A Solved Consumer Problem
It pains me to say it, but local search is a solved consumer problem. I’m in pain admitting this, because I’ve been trying to create better local search mousetraps since 2003. Put simply, major search engines do a good enough job of surfacing local listings and phone numbers to consumers who need a specific product […]
Can Search Marketing Generate Emails To Local Businesses?
Local businesses typically use search marketing to achieve two main objectives: getting customer calls and walk-ins. They do this by publishing their address and phone number in search engines and local directories so that an interested customer can take action one way or another – by walking into a restaurant or calling a plumber for […]
There’s No Debate That Local Search Has A Role to Play in Healthcare
Congress’ debate on healthcare has sparked many different opinions about the right path for the future of healthcare insurance. Regardless of where that debate is headed, all Americans share the same challenge at one point or another: finding good healthcare. And that’s where local search comes in—to help connect medical professionals with patients. Recently, Dennis […]
Tectonic Shifts Altering The Terrain At Google Maps
Google recently upgraded Google Maps with a new land parcel data layer, added a Map error reporting function, has promised map fixes to street errors in 30 days or less and has replaced Tele Atlas as their provider of roadway data. It was widely expected that Google might replace TeleAtlas but I don’ think anyone […]
Google Continues Crowdsourcing Its Map Data
Google has announced a new tool called Google Building Maker that lets you make 3D buildings using aerial photos and 3D shapes. Google says early testers felt it was more toy-like than tool-like and suggests that teachers might use it to help teach geography. And at this point you might be wondering … 3D buildings? […]
No More TeleAtlas, Google Goes It Alone For Maps Data?
Mike Blumenthal offers a provocative post this morning about Google’s apparent decision to end its relationship (at least in the US) with mapping data provider TeleAtlas. Recall that Google previously had a relationship with NAVTEQ, which ended some time after the acquisition of that company by Nokia. TeleAtlas was substituted and there was even an […]
Google Makes Search More Functional On Android
While search is the “front door to the internet” on the PC, the same cannot be said of mobile devices. Apps, bookmarks and other ways to access content have become at least as useful as the Google search box on a mobile device. While Google will laugh at anyone who publicly tries to suggest (as […]
Google Custom Maps: A Goldmine For Local Businesses
This past week at SMX East, I presented a longer-tail marketing tactic for Google Maps — creation and uploading of place marks data into the customizable "My Maps" section. For companies and individuals who have some rich local data to share, or local place expertise, My Maps may be for you!
Be Wary Of Call Tracking Numbers In Local Search
Call-tracking phone numbers are often hailed as a best practice strategy in paid search campaigns thanks to their ability to demonstrate a specific number of conversions or inquiries generated by the campaign. The kind of at-a-glance analytics these numbers offer make it easy for businesses and search agencies to calculate Return On Investment, a desirable […]
Google Now Enables Maps Users To “Report A Problem”
Google has pushed more deeply into “crowdsourcing” with Maps, now enabling users to “report a problem” in addition to making edits themselves on maps. According to the Google LatLong blog: You’ll find this “Report a Problem” link on the bottom right of Google Maps (you can also find it by right-clicking on the map). Has […]
Google Creates A New, Simplified Ad Unit For Local Business
In December 2007 Google promised to develop a radically simplified version of AdWords targeted at the mass of small businesses who could not or would not take the time to set up an AdWords campaign. The working name of the program was “Simple Ads.” It was semi-formally announced at the Google Local Markets Symposium, a […]
Where Is The Competitor To AdSense In Local Search?
Co-opitition is a fairly common occurrence in the local search biz. A lot of the big yellow pages publishers have access to a lot of advertisers but they don’t always have the right mix of traffic. While it’s no small feat to sign up a dentist in Pleasanton, CA, it’s just as hard to get […]
Is Google Testing New Ad Unit Tied To Place Pages?
There was intrigue and some interesting discussion last weekend around the question of whether Google was actually indexing its newly launched Place Pages despite a statement that it would not. It appeared that there was some inadvertent or “unintended” indexing that apparently went on. However, today a new wrinkle: we were notified by David Naffziger […]
Google Now Showing Ads On iPhone Map
We got a tip from Anthony Avolio yesterday, who pointed out that Google was showing ads on Maps on the iPhone. Until then I hadn’t noticed it. This is another way in which Google seems to be aligning the mobile experience with that on the PC. I asked earlier on my blog “Who Owns Maps […]
Google Improves Local Mobile Search, Links Maps & Mobile
In simple but still dramatic fashion, Google has upgraded browser based local search on mobile handsets. It has also tied Maps on the PC to mobile in a very effective way. And recognizing the limitations of keying in queries into a search box on a mobile handset, Google has taken a page from its Places […]
Google To Test New Business Icons In Google Maps
Google will soon launch a limited test in Australia that will show additional business logos/icons inside of Google Maps. A Google spokesperson tells us that the “limited experiment” will only affect some Google Maps users in Australia. The Sydney Morning Herald recently reported on the upcoming test, saying Google Maps will be “plastered” with ads. […]
Content Is Not Only King, It’s The Key To Conversions
While it may sound basic, you’d be surprised by how many advertisers underestimate the power of including rich, relevant content on their business web sites. Or for that matter, keeping consistent with their search advertising to ensure that the content they are promoting—be it a product or a service—is where the consumer’s click actually takes […]
Despite Assurances, Google Place Pages Now Showing In Search Results
Google introduced its new Maps profile page format, Place Pages, last week on Thursday. It’s a pretty dramatic change that replaces a tabbed version of the “info bubble” on Maps with a full page that features a wide variety of rich content. Each of these pages has its own URL. When I discussed the change […]
Just Because You Can Doesn’t Mean You Should: Why DIY SEM Isn’t The Answer
Everywhere you look today you can find books, television programs, and websites specializing in do-it-yourself. While this may be a great thing for folks who want to refurbish their homes with stylish but affordable interiors, it is not always the best choice for all things. Just because you can re-wire your home doesn’t mean you […]
Brave New World For Yellow Pages: Google Nabs Marketshare, Strangles Local Directories
Earlier, this Spring, a number of local search marketers noticed that Google began displaying their 10-pack of local business listings based on searchers' geolocation when search queries didn't include a local search term. Matt McGee suggested that this would likely alter user behavior and reduce referral traffic to online directories. Stats show it may have happened. Read on about this "Brave New World" faced by internet yellow pages.
SEMPO Says Time To Get Serious About Mobile Search
SEMPO yesterday released a “POV” white paper that seeks to orient search marketers to the growing mobile market, mobile SEO and mobile paid search in particular. It cites the dramatic growth of mobile web usage and anticipated future growth in arguing that search marketers now need to take mobile seriously. Developed by SEMPO’s Emerging Technologies […]
Thoughts On Categorization In Local Search
Properly categorizing your business at Google Maps is one of the most important Local Search Ranking Factors, as I mentioned in last month’s column. There’s been a lot of chatter about business categories since then, most notably at the Local Search Summit in San Jose, during August’s Search Marketing Now webinar on Local Search, and […]
Hasbro To Create “Monopoly City Streets” Game Using Google Maps
TechCrunch reports Hasbro company, the company behind many board games, including Monopoly, is making a new Monopoly game at MonopolyCityStreets.com. The game is expected to launch tomorrow, September 9th and use the Google Maps API. The site explains: On the 9th SEPTEMBER, a world of property empire building on an unimaginable scale will be launched! […]
Brad Garlinghouse To Run AOL’s Email, IM & Venture Units From West Coast
Brad Garlinghouse, who was previously an SVP at Yahoo, and the author of the now famous “Peanut Butter Manifesto,” is joining AOL as president of Internet and Mobile communications. What this means is that he’ll be responsibile for email, IM and other communications tools, which implicates a range of properties including Bebo. According to the […]
Are You A Member Of The Twitter Chamber Of Commerce?
Twitter is a great tool for local businesses to raise their visibility among potential customers in their area. Here's how.
Yahoo Neighbors Adds Community Conversation To Local Search
After a trial run in four markets, Yahoo has just launched Neighbors nationwide. Neighbors is an interesting and potentially very strong addition to Yahoo Local’s offerings. It’s been around since November 2007, when it debuted in two California markets. More recently, it’s been available in the San Francisco area, New York, Chicago, and Dallas. There’s […]