The document discusses Google+ Local and local SEO. It provides an agenda for the presentation which includes introductions, discussing the Googleplex and how Google Places merged with Google+ Local, categories in Google Places vs Google+ Local, and tips for setting up a Google+ profile and page for businesses. The presentation notes that optimizing business listings on Google+ Local in 2013 will be important as local search becomes more personalized and social.
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Google +, Google +
Local & Local SEO
Presented by
Corey Barnett
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Cincinnati Meetup
If you’re into this thing called Twitter…
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About
Content Marketing Strategist | Marketing Coordinator | SEOer | Web Analyst
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Girlfriend | College | Professional | Travel | Blogging | Bonus: Triathlete & Musician
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Work
Crown
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WHO WE ARE 2001 | eBusiness Consulting Company
Content | Commerce | Communications | Analytics
WHO WE PARTNER WITH hybris | Adobe | ExactTarget
CLIENTS St. Jude | General Motors | SUPERVALU | Wyndham
LOCATED Dayton | Dallas | Denver
WHAT DO I DO Corporate: Website | Content | SEO | SEM | Social
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Agenda
• Introductions
• Googleplex
• Google Places/ Google + Local
• Google +
• Dirty Secrets
• 2013 & Local Search
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• Google Places
• In Search
• In Google Maps
• Google +
• Social Network
• Google + For Business
• Local, Brands, Companies,
• Social Component
• In Maps, In Search
Google + Perplexing = Googleplex
2013, The Year Local Search Became Social, Personal
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What Happened to Google Places?
Barbara vs. Best Buy
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• Barbara's Page vs. Best Buy
• You can now review other businesses as a business on +Local
• You can respond to reviews
• Anchor text, links
• 60 Minute updates vs. 1 week
• Multiple administrators
• Increase engagement
Why Merge with Google + Local?
It’s enticing isn’t it?
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• Google places
• 5 categories
• 4 can be custom
• Google + Local
• custom categories are removed
• Avoid Custom Categories
• View categories from Competitors
• Test categories
Categories
In Google Places vs. Google + Local
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The Googleplex
Why is it so difficult to Merge?
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• Don’t Merge
• With multiple locations
• Service companies, even if address is excluded
• Your Place Page is in a different Google Account as your Plus Page
• You have a P.O box/can’t receive a postcard for verification
• Google Apps User
• Data issues in Places
• Attempt
• Local, existing place page in local category without service areas
should attempt a merge
Why Not Merge to Google + Local?
When to Merge Google Places with Google + Local
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• Google Places Dashboard vs. Google + Local
• Don’t make edits in Google Places dashboard after merging
• Don’t wait too long to verify
• Pending Verification
• Weeks?
• Loss of Ranking
• Countless Bugs
• International numbers reformatted
• It’s Confusing
• Loss of reviews, data missing
• New Issue in Google Places
• Service businesses, exclude your address
• Google will find you!
Google + Local is Poorly Executed
Combined with Legacy Google Places issues
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• Google Support for Places
• Google Phone Call Support for Local +
• Help Center
• Make Changes as Public User
• Google Mapmaker
Help!
For Places & Google +
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• Set up personal Google +
• No you can’t create a business profile, it has to be personal
• Better then LinkedIn
Google +
Set Up
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OR
Google + vs. LinkedIn
It’s becoming clear who’s the winner
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Google + for Business
In Search Results
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• Up to two recent posts will display in search results
Google + Branded/Company Page
Direct Connect
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• Add Google + Badge or rel=publisher to site
• Add link to ‘about’ and relevant links
• Meaningful # of followers
‘Direct Connect’
Become eligible for Google + Business in Search
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Dirty Secrets
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Dirty Secrets
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• Biggest Findings
• Keyword in title
• Exact keyword in categories
What Affects Ranking?
David Mihm of GetListed Findings
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Author Rank in SERPS
For Local SEO
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• Further convergence social + search + local
• If someone in one of your Google Plus Circles recommends a
specific web designer in Spokane, you are likely to see that same
business high up in results when you go looking for a web designer
in Spokane.
• Schema Implementation
• Authorship impacting rankings
• Google + Local is fully rolled out
Google Local in 2013
Social Media Optimization
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• http://www.seomoz.org/blog/40-important-local-search-questions-
answered
• http://blumenthals.com/blog
• Google + Personal SEO
• How to Kick Ass in Google + Local
• http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com
• Google Ranking Factors
• Set Up Google + Local for Personal Business
Additional Information
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2013, this is the year of social media optimization. It’s shifting away from search towards social. It’s converging… It’s becoming a circle of trust.
2011, Google announced Google +, rolling out Google + Local in 2012. The new listing brought changes, videos have now disappeared unless you merge to Google + Local. Zagat vs. 5 star reviews. Can’t add updates in place dashboard.
Google + Local Listings
In the Dashboard you can have five and only the first need be a standard category. The other four can be custom. In the G+ Page you must use 5 of Google’s pre selected categories. In the Dashboard there is little standardization. Regardless Google only displays two categories on the G+ Local pages. However most are used to determine relevance of a search so it makes sense to have more rather than fewer.
Guidelines persist – don’t add keywords in categories, don’t add localization. Say what you are, not what you do…
Although You’ll notice
Should I verify? Storefront business with a page in Google+ (under the local business/place category) who are using it regularly: request verification. You will need to get a postcard sent to your business address and enter the PIN. Then, manage this page using the Google+ pages admin. Do not use the Google Places for Business to edit after verifying in Google+.
Verified owner in the Google Places for Business: continue to manage your information from the Google Places for Business dashboard and please wait for further instructions. We are working on a smooth upgrade process for everyone.
New storefront businesses: (not verified on Google Places for Business) you may create a page in Google+ (under the local business/place category) and go through the verification process. Then, manage your page through the Google+ pages admin.
What if I’m a ...Service area business with address correctly hidden: the upgraded (merged) local Google+ pages are not currently supporting service area businesses. Please continue to manage it via Google Places for Business and hide your address as necessary, detailed in the quality guidelines.
Big brand or business with multiple locations: There is no way to link a single brand page to multiple local Google+ pages. Continue to manage your brand page in Google+, if you already have on. To manage your locations, continue to use use the Google Places for Business dashboard.
Google Apps user: At this time, local Google+ pages cannot be verified using Google Apps accounts. If you’re looking to verify a local Google+ page for your business, we suggest using a personal Google+ account to be able to fully manage your page.
- If you do not have a +Business page then you can’t start this process until you create one.- If you have a +Business Page which doesn’t have a page category of Local, it cannot be upgraded.
You really can’t set up a business profile, it must be personal. Why?
Communities vs. Groups
Closed LinkedIn Groups
+ 1’s vs. LinkedIn Likes
Adding to Circles vs. Adding to Connections
Google + Analytics vs. LinkedIn
Google Events
Google Authorship
URLS
Communities vs. Groups
Closed LinkedIn Groups
+ 1’s vs. LinkedIn Likes
Adding to Circles vs. Adding to Connections
Google + Analytics vs. LinkedIn
Google Events
Google Authorship
URLS
If you’re a service area business, don’t create a local business or Google + Local page. Stick to places to manage your local business locations and set up a company institution or organization page instead.