Comments on: Google Penalizing Category Spamming – What are the Standards? http://blumenthals.com/blog/2009/09/01/google-penalizing-category-spamming-what-are-the-standards/ Developing Knowledge about Local Search Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:26:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: 5 Things Not To Do To A Google Listing Business Listing - Local Search for the Internet http://blumenthals.com/blog/2009/09/01/google-penalizing-category-spamming-what-are-the-standards/comment-page-1/#comment-464092 5 Things Not To Do To A Google Listing Business Listing - Local Search for the Internet Sat, 20 Feb 2010 22:06:03 +0000 http://blumenthals.com/blog/?p=4297#comment-464092 [...] However, not all businesses are paying the price for this change as yet. According to the conversation Mike Blumenthal had with Chris Silver Smith, Google is currently detecting such listings based on [...] [...] However, not all businesses are paying the price for this change as yet. According to the conversation Mike Blumenthal had with Chris Silver Smith, Google is currently detecting such listings based on [...]

]]> By: How to Set-up Google Maps Listing in Google LBC http://blumenthals.com/blog/2009/09/01/google-penalizing-category-spamming-what-are-the-standards/comment-page-1/#comment-455039 How to Set-up Google Maps Listing in Google LBC Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:03:28 +0000 http://blumenthals.com/blog/?p=4297#comment-455039 [...] There is a ton of chatter about how to optimize “Categories” in Google Maps, but I suggest you make sure you choose the most relevant category for you business in the [...] [...] There is a ton of chatter about how to optimize “Categories” in Google Maps, but I suggest you make sure you choose the most relevant category for you business in the [...]

]]> By: Getting More From Your Google Maps Profile | Wizpress.com http://blumenthals.com/blog/2009/09/01/google-penalizing-category-spamming-what-are-the-standards/comment-page-1/#comment-454804 Getting More From Your Google Maps Profile | Wizpress.com Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:30:41 +0000 http://blumenthals.com/blog/?p=4297#comment-454804 [...] Interesting discussion on this topic here – thanks to @niftymarketing for pointing me to it. Grey area for sure, test and [...] [...] Interesting discussion on this topic here – thanks to @niftymarketing for pointing me to it. Grey area for sure, test and [...]

]]> By: Take advantage of Google’s local biz center « Reading Tea Leaves by Randy Wilson http://blumenthals.com/blog/2009/09/01/google-penalizing-category-spamming-what-are-the-standards/comment-page-1/#comment-454790 Take advantage of Google’s local biz center « Reading Tea Leaves by Randy Wilson Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:30:29 +0000 http://blumenthals.com/blog/?p=4297#comment-454790 [...] Take advantage of Google’s local biz center By Randy Wilson One of my favorite marketing websites, Duct Tape Marketing, posts this video about enhancing your Google local business profile that drives content for the Google maps that people use increasingly for mobile devices.  Did you know you had a local business profile?  If not go to: Google Local Business Center and fill out your profile.  Then watch the video for tips on how to maximize your visibility using categories.  Remember: this is Google so exactly how they use these categories is unclear.  See the discussion about categories in this Duct Tape Marketing link. [...] [...] Take advantage of Google’s local biz center By Randy Wilson One of my favorite marketing websites, Duct Tape Marketing, posts this video about enhancing your Google local business profile that drives content for the Google maps that people use increasingly for mobile devices.  Did you know you had a local business profile?  If not go to: Google Local Business Center and fill out your profile.  Then watch the video for tips on how to maximize your visibility using categories.  Remember: this is Google so exactly how they use these categories is unclear.  See the discussion about categories in this Duct Tape Marketing link. [...]

]]> By: Mike http://blumenthals.com/blog/2009/09/01/google-penalizing-category-spamming-what-are-the-standards/comment-page-1/#comment-439408 Mike Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:40:39 +0000 http://blumenthals.com/blog/?p=4297#comment-439408 Google indicates that the info in the record was "- Provided by the business owner" so they obviously added that category information themselves. The field is quite long and last time I checked Google allowed you to fill it to the max with content. Google indicates that the info in the record was “- Provided by the business owner” so they obviously added that category information themselves. The field is quite long and last time I checked Google allowed you to fill it to the max with content.

]]> By: Nate http://blumenthals.com/blog/2009/09/01/google-penalizing-category-spamming-what-are-the-standards/comment-page-1/#comment-439404 Nate Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:43:57 +0000 http://blumenthals.com/blog/?p=4297#comment-439404 In doing some competitive research of other companies in my area, I have noticed that it appears that some listings have more than 5 categories listed on their "Places" page. <a href="http://maps.google.com/places/us/phoenix/w-mcdowell-rd/509/-easley's-costumes-&-fun-shop" rel="nofollow">Here is one example</a> of what I am talking about. Check out their list of categories. There are more than 5 it appears by counting the number of categories in the dropdown. Is this done by just entering multiple categories in each category box and seperating with a comma, or is this data that has been aggregated by Google from other data providers? In doing some competitive research of other companies in my area, I have noticed that it appears that some listings have more than 5 categories listed on their “Places” page.

Here is one example of what I am talking about. Check out their list of categories. There are more than 5 it appears by counting the number of categories in the dropdown.

Is this done by just entering multiple categories in each category box and seperating with a comma, or is this data that has been aggregated by Google from other data providers?

]]> By: Mike http://blumenthals.com/blog/2009/09/01/google-penalizing-category-spamming-what-are-the-standards/comment-page-1/#comment-434075 Mike Sat, 17 Oct 2009 11:46:23 +0000 http://blumenthals.com/blog/?p=4297#comment-434075 Henry I am not sure if you saw the recent post: <a href="http://blumenthals.com/blog/2009/10/14/google-maps-six-reasons-why-your-listing-might-go-south-some-tips-to-cope/" rel="nofollow">Six reasons why your listing might “go South” & some tips to cope</a> but you might review that. Google offers no live support and the forums only provide limited answers. I would suggest that you go to the <a href="http://getlisted.org/resources/trustedproviders.aspx" rel="nofollow">Getlisted.org Providers page</a> and look at the list of recommended consultants and hire one if you actually want to talk with someone. Henry

I am not sure if you saw the recent post: Six reasons why your listing might “go South” & some tips to cope but you might review that.

Google offers no live support and the forums only provide limited answers. I would suggest that you go to the Getlisted.org Providers page and look at the list of recommended consultants and hire one if you actually want to talk with someone.

]]> By: Henry http://blumenthals.com/blog/2009/09/01/google-penalizing-category-spamming-what-are-the-standards/comment-page-1/#comment-434057 Henry Sat, 17 Oct 2009 10:06:42 +0000 http://blumenthals.com/blog/?p=4297#comment-434057 Around 6 days ago the statistics on the webmaster for our web site went to 0. I am new to everything and did not fully understand the category thing. When this happened I wen to the categories and reduced them to represent everything the best I could. Now the numbers are still at 0, there is no one to call and I have no idea what to do next. Is there a live person who can explain to me what to do or a site that can help me ? I am new to all of this and made an honest mistake...HELP Around 6 days ago the statistics on the webmaster for our web site went to 0. I am new to everything and did not fully understand the category thing. When this happened I wen to the categories and reduced them to represent everything the best I could. Now the numbers are still at 0, there is no one to call and I have no idea what to do next. Is there a live person who can explain to me what to do or a site that can help me ? I am new to all of this and made an honest mistake…HELP

]]> By: Google’s Recent Changes to its Local Algorithm | Local Search Simplified by Shagun Vatsa http://blumenthals.com/blog/2009/09/01/google-penalizing-category-spamming-what-are-the-standards/comment-page-1/#comment-430184 Google’s Recent Changes to its Local Algorithm | Local Search Simplified by Shagun Vatsa Wed, 30 Sep 2009 04:10:52 +0000 http://blumenthals.com/blog/?p=4297#comment-430184 [...] However, not all businesses are paying the price for this change as yet. According to the conversation Mike Blumenthal had with Chris Silver Smith, Google is currently detecting such listings based on [...] [...] However, not all businesses are paying the price for this change as yet. According to the conversation Mike Blumenthal had with Chris Silver Smith, Google is currently detecting such listings based on [...]

]]> By: Tips To Avoid The Google Business Listings Banned-Wagon http://blumenthals.com/blog/2009/09/01/google-penalizing-category-spamming-what-are-the-standards/comment-page-1/#comment-430131 Tips To Avoid The Google Business Listings Banned-Wagon Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:55:32 +0000 http://blumenthals.com/blog/?p=4297#comment-430131 [...] accurate, keyword-rich Category descriptions (you can create up to five unique terms or phrases).  Do not use a geographic modifier such as your city or state in the Category fields.  Do not use multiple, unique phrases/keywords [...] [...] accurate, keyword-rich Category descriptions (you can create up to five unique terms or phrases).  Do not use a geographic modifier such as your city or state in the Category fields.  Do not use multiple, unique phrases/keywords [...]

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