Comments on: Google Places Adds Nearby Places You Might (not) Like http://blumenthals.com/blog/2010/02/05/google-places-adds-nearby-places-you-might-not-like/ Developing Knowledge about Local Search Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:57:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Alessio http://blumenthals.com/blog/2010/02/05/google-places-adds-nearby-places-you-might-not-like/comment-page-1/#comment-499131 Alessio Wed, 23 Jun 2010 21:32:22 +0000 http://blumenthals.com/blog/?p=6073#comment-499131 It will be interesting to see how google determines which competitors listings show up in this new ‘nearby places you might like’. It will be interesting to see how google determines which competitors listings show up in this new ‘nearby places you might like’.

]]> By: Top 10 for the Weekend – June 18, 2010 http://blumenthals.com/blog/2010/02/05/google-places-adds-nearby-places-you-might-not-like/comment-page-1/#comment-497545 Top 10 for the Weekend – June 18, 2010 Fri, 18 Jun 2010 17:21:41 +0000 http://blumenthals.com/blog/?p=6073#comment-497545 [...] has begun exposing your competition on your very own Places page! How sneaky. Our friends over at Blumenthals.com attribute this to Google wanting to make their Places page a starting point for your search as [...] [...] has begun exposing your competition on your very own Places page! How sneaky. Our friends over at Blumenthals.com attribute this to Google wanting to make their Places page a starting point for your search as [...]

]]> By: Matthew O'Brien http://blumenthals.com/blog/2010/02/05/google-places-adds-nearby-places-you-might-not-like/comment-page-1/#comment-463606 Matthew O'Brien Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:43:09 +0000 http://blumenthals.com/blog/?p=6073#comment-463606 Google seems to be emulating the success of other portals like Yelp and iPhone apps. There is never a lack of things to do for keeping your local business listing as a top search. Google seems to be emulating the success of other portals like Yelp and iPhone apps. There is never a lack of things to do for keeping your local business listing as a top search.

]]> By: Mike http://blumenthals.com/blog/2010/02/05/google-places-adds-nearby-places-you-might-not-like/comment-page-1/#comment-461308 Mike Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:45:15 +0000 http://blumenthals.com/blog/?p=6073#comment-461308 I think most SMBs would contend that a link that they put on their site is by their choice and not the choice of an algo. The SMB is going to create the network and participate in it and thus the network of links from their website is natural and real. The algo, that recommends a Chiropractor 10 miles away for the drive-in diner or the 10 immediate competitors is a Google engineers idea of what constitutes that local network. In fact your comment brings up an excellent idea...engage the SMB in identifying those nearby and related businesses that their customers might be interested in. The results would be significantly more meaningful that those generated by this algo and would engage them in the process. I think most SMBs would contend that a link that they put on their site is by their choice and not the choice of an algo. The SMB is going to create the network and participate in it and thus the network of links from their website is natural and real. The algo, that recommends a Chiropractor 10 miles away for the drive-in diner or the 10 immediate competitors is a Google engineers idea of what constitutes that local network.

In fact your comment brings up an excellent idea…engage the SMB in identifying those nearby and related businesses that their customers might be interested in. The results would be significantly more meaningful that those generated by this algo and would engage them in the process.

]]> By: Kevin@TB http://blumenthals.com/blog/2010/02/05/google-places-adds-nearby-places-you-might-not-like/comment-page-1/#comment-461307 Kevin@TB Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:37:37 +0000 http://blumenthals.com/blog/?p=6073#comment-461307 If you have a good product, you will be willing to share the space. The easier you make it for your customers to see what else is out there makes them quicker to use you - again if you have a good product. The same is why would a website put up links away from their site. Because if you have a good resource, people will still come back. Only those who have a mediocre product should worry about this development. If you have a good product, you will be willing to share the space. The easier you make it for your customers to see what else is out there makes them quicker to use you – again if you have a good product. The same is why would a website put up links away from their site. Because if you have a good resource, people will still come back. Only those who have a mediocre product should worry about this development.

]]> By: Mike http://blumenthals.com/blog/2010/02/05/google-places-adds-nearby-places-you-might-not-like/comment-page-1/#comment-461046 Mike Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:03:57 +0000 http://blumenthals.com/blog/?p=6073#comment-461046 @Ash It is still a very imperfect algo that's for sure. The usefulness ranges from useful to totally bogus... @Taylor If you look at the interview I did with Carter Maslan, you will see that Google perceives this page as a search results page to which you can add "some" content, <strong>not</strong> a page over which you can execute much control. @Ash
It is still a very imperfect algo that’s for sure. The usefulness ranges from useful to totally bogus…

@Taylor
If you look at the interview I did with Carter Maslan, you will see that Google perceives this page as a search results page to which you can add “some” content, not a page over which you can execute much control.

]]> By: Google Map’s Carter Maslan Answers Questions on the New Nearby Places You Might Like | Understanding Google Maps & Local Search http://blumenthals.com/blog/2010/02/05/google-places-adds-nearby-places-you-might-not-like/comment-page-1/#comment-460945 Google Map’s Carter Maslan Answers Questions on the New Nearby Places You Might Like | Understanding Google Maps & Local Search Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:02:14 +0000 http://blumenthals.com/blog/?p=6073#comment-460945 [...] comments) on Searchable Google LBC Category Preview Tool Beta TestAsh Nallawalla (1 comments) on Google Places Adds Nearby Places You Might (not) LikeJason (4 comments) on Searchable Google LBC Category Preview Tool Beta TestAbby (8 comments) on [...] [...] comments) on Searchable Google LBC Category Preview Tool Beta TestAsh Nallawalla (1 comments) on Google Places Adds Nearby Places You Might (not) LikeJason (4 comments) on Searchable Google LBC Category Preview Tool Beta TestAbby (8 comments) on [...]

]]> By: Ash Nallawalla http://blumenthals.com/blog/2010/02/05/google-places-adds-nearby-places-you-might-not-like/comment-page-1/#comment-460795 Ash Nallawalla Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:28:08 +0000 http://blumenthals.com/blog/?p=6073#comment-460795 It isn't even useful for a user. Try a search for a plumber in your US town on a Google Maps page. (I picked Delray Beach, FL). You will see a few on the left and the map on the right. View one of them. Then check out the Nearby Places You Might Like list -- these are not plumbers "nearby" in Delray Beach but from places two or more towns away e.g. Ft Lauderdale, Pompano Beach etc. Why would I want to ignore all the other businesses in the same locality? It isn’t even useful for a user.

Try a search for a plumber in your US town on a Google Maps page. (I picked Delray Beach, FL). You will see a few on the left and the map on the right. View one of them. Then check out the Nearby Places You Might Like list — these are not plumbers “nearby” in Delray Beach but from places two or more towns away e.g. Ft Lauderdale, Pompano Beach etc.

Why would I want to ignore all the other businesses in the same locality?

]]> By: Taylor Cimala http://blumenthals.com/blog/2010/02/05/google-places-adds-nearby-places-you-might-not-like/comment-page-1/#comment-460767 Taylor Cimala Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:40:08 +0000 http://blumenthals.com/blog/?p=6073#comment-460767 It would be interesting if in the future Google allows you to edit these types of lists. It could become some sort of partnerships list, businesses with similar relationship ethics, etc. Doubt it would ever happen, but an interesting thought nonetheless. Kind of like a links page on your Google place page. It would be interesting if in the future Google allows you to edit these types of lists. It could become some sort of partnerships list, businesses with similar relationship ethics, etc. Doubt it would ever happen, but an interesting thought nonetheless. Kind of like a links page on your Google place page.

]]> By: With Google’s Nearby Places, Reviews Are More Important Than Ever http://blumenthals.com/blog/2010/02/05/google-places-adds-nearby-places-you-might-not-like/comment-page-1/#comment-460728 With Google’s Nearby Places, Reviews Are More Important Than Ever Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:16:49 +0000 http://blumenthals.com/blog/?p=6073#comment-460728 [...] the Nearby Places list for businesses that have claimed their profile else Place Pages like the Buffalo jeweler’s found by Mike Blumenthal that shows 10 other jeweler listings will be the norm and those businesses [...] [...] the Nearby Places list for businesses that have claimed their profile else Place Pages like the Buffalo jeweler’s found by Mike Blumenthal that shows 10 other jeweler listings will be the norm and those businesses [...]

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