2009 has been an exciting year of growth for local and for my blog. To all of those many folks world wide that have regularly contributed to the conversation and my learning I say THANK YOU!
Here are the 10 Most Read Stories of 2009 (in order of total pageviews):
1. Google replaces TeleAtlas data in the US with Google data
2. Tracking Local Search Traffic with Analytics (Thanks to Martijn Beijk!)
3. Google Maps Proves more Locksmiths in NYC than Cabbies
4. Where are Google Places Pages going? To the Index?
5. Google Maps vs Locksmiths Spammers – Spammers winning?
6. Big boobs bounce back to Top of Google Maps
7. Google Maps now showing Local 10 pack on Broad non Geo phrase searches
8. Google Maps – How to Remove Duplicate Records in the Local Business Center
9. Google Maps – Merging Mania Due to Algo Change
10. Why the Google Local Business Center Fails
The 5 Most Read Stories from the Back Library:
1. Ranking Factors in Google Maps – Cracking the Code @ SMX Local
2. Google Maps still loading slow – try html
3. List of Google Maps Categories
4. Microsoft’s listing in Google Maps Hijacked – (Oops by Me)
5. Google Maps New Local 10 pack Now Live
All great articles Mike. Thank you for your dedication in providing what I consider the number one source for all things local on the internet. Have a great holiday season and I look forward to 2010!
Comment by Art Armani (3 comments) — December 22, 2009 @ 11:37 am
Great job all year long, Mike. Very insightful articles. Also they’ve been fun to read. Above all they are a source of incredible information and an opportunity to learn.
I was sort of surprised though that this piece didn’t crack the top 10…if not be ranked #1: http://blumenthals.com/blog/2009/12/11/google-maps-and-reviews-a-readers-perspective/ (so well written and above all astute if not voluble.
I was also surprised, for a different reason that #6 wasn’t #1.
All kidding aside, Great job!!!
Comment by Earlpearl (676 comments) — December 22, 2009 @ 1:02 pm
Merry Christmas Mike – Here’s a to a great 2010.
Comment by Dev Basu (23 comments) — December 22, 2009 @ 1:08 pm
2009 was a pivotal year in local search, at least I think so. Merry Christmas Mike and all the rest of the local pro’s, small biz owners too. 2010 will be another great year!
Comment by Stever (204 comments) — December 22, 2009 @ 1:44 pm
Dave, I never knew you were such a shameless self-promoter!
I can’t believe that the Locksmith post made it all the way up to #3. Mike, perhaps the lesson is to get your content on TechCrunch more often and stop screwing around with we Local Search chumps…
Comment by David Mihm (153 comments) — December 22, 2009 @ 4:49 pm
Thank you so much for letting all of us learn with you, Mike. I want you to know, 2009 is the year in which I have first had new potential Local clients tell me that they read your blog, as a way of letting me know that they are aware of Local SEO. Pretty cool, huh? Keep up the wonderful work here, and please let me wish you a truly Happy New Year!
Comment by MiriamEllis (586 comments) — December 22, 2009 @ 4:50 pm
@Art
Thanks!
@EarlPearl
Your post was late in the year and didn’t have time to develop “legs”. Perhaps if you posted on on January 2nd?
Thanks, all kidding aside.
@DavidMihm
Actually that one was picked up by Bruce Schneier, a security expert who is apparently widely read.
You are right though, once it goes outside our industry, traffic soars. The problem is the readers from those markets are just too fickle.
@Dev & Stever
Thanks and same to you.
@Miriam
Thanks for all of your commenting and input. I too am seeing more “end users” coming through the turnstiles this year.
Comment by Mike (2421 comments) — December 22, 2009 @ 4:54 pm
Ditto to what the gang above has already said, Mike. Thx for all you do for small/local biz owners, and for the local search community in general. Look forward to meeting you in 2010. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Comment by Matt McGee (35 comments) — December 22, 2009 @ 9:49 pm
I hope your blog to stay focused and
beneficial to us all
Comment by gambar rumah (1 comments) — December 23, 2009 @ 5:33 am
Wow a number 2 spot for my article. Great! Love these stats!
Happy holidays from Europe!
Comment by Martijn Beijk (59 comments) — December 23, 2009 @ 6:21 pm
@Martijn
Actually you were number 1 right up till the end of October when the TeleAtlas story finally passed…Thanks again for a great article.
Mike
Comment by Mike (2421 comments) — December 23, 2009 @ 9:23 pm
The year of the Locksmiths!! 2 Locksmiths “listings” in Mike’s “10 pack”. We are spamming your blog as well..
Mike,
This is really an A1 blog! well done & keep it happened. As we all know, we can change the realty by couple of clicks. So keep changing, creating & overlooking the Local world & its search results!
Comment by PureSheer (134 comments) — December 24, 2009 @ 8:31 am
I’m going to post this on my blog. We read your blog regularly to keep up to date with local search trends and I think highlighting your most highly read stories is a great service.
Comment by Ryan Pitylak (3 comments) — December 31, 2009 @ 8:19 pm
[...] Mike Blumenthal has a great blog that discusses local search marketing trends before they really become trends. He posted a new article about the most highly read articles in 2009. I would recommend reading the articles referenced in this post if you’re interested in knowing more about local search. [...]
Pingback by Mike Blumenthal’s 2009 Most Read Stories – Ryan Pitylak - Ryan Pitylak — December 31, 2009 @ 8:24 pm
@Ryan
what a great way to end the year! Thanks so very much! Glad that found value in them.
Comment by Mike (2421 comments) — December 31, 2009 @ 8:31 pm