Google Maps features launched in the last 6 months of 2008

Remembering what happened yesterday is difficult let alone what happened last month. Google Maps changes so quickly and the odds of any one person seeing and knowing every change is quite small. The net result is a frequent banter amongst the Localites (David Mihm, Matt McGee, Steve Espinosa, Martijn Beijk, Will Scott, Miriam Ellis etc) …

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Local in a Ford Near You

As the pricing for GPS and computer chips drop we have seen computers moving into a range of new situations from TV boxes to your iPod. The capability is now moving into automobiles as well and in this context, Local makes lots of sense. Ford is at the forefront of making this technology widely available …

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Local AdWord ads now more integrated with Maps

On Tuesday, Google announced that Adwords displayed in Maps would not open to an info window that “will feature new interactive links that are designed to connect users to your business quickly”. Currently the new adwords info bubbles are only showing in the Map View. Note that the ads at the bottom of the Map …

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Google Groups for Maps Moved to new Forum Platform

As noted several weeks ago, Google Groups for Maps was being moved to new Forum Platform. That switch has now taken place. From the Lat Long Blog: Our Google Map Help Group now has a new home! You may have already heard of (or tried out) the new Google Help Forums. Today, our Google Maps Help Group will be moving …

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Loci 2008 – The Year in Local Search

With Miriam’s article, Loci 2008 is now at an end. To (in order of appearance): Matt Cutts, Matt McGee, David, Mihm, Greg Sterling, Will Scott, Andrew Shotland, Michael Jensen, Martijn Beijk, Jen Chin (aka Mapsguide Jen), Ahmed Farooq, Rand Fishkin & Miriam Ellis: Thanks! I have really enjoyed the many contributions highlighting 2008 in local …

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Locai 2008- Miriam Ellis – Most Important Search Pieces in 2008

Miriam Ellis, along with her husband, operates  Solas Web Design, a web design & local seo company focusing on the small business marketplace. She writes frequently on small business issues at her blog, SEO Igloo. When she isn’t writing on her blog or commenting here, you will also find her guest blogging, moderating  and writing at: …

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Loci 2008 – Rand Fishkin – The year in Local 2008

Rand Fishkin , of SEOMoz, needs no introduction from me. Here are his favorites: *** Sure – here goes: http://www.davidmihm.com/local-search-ranking-factors.shtml from David Mihm http://www.seomoz.org/blog/the-world-series-spidering-problem from Will Critchlow http://paulgraham.com/cities.html by Paul Graham Hope that helps! Rand

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LBC Workaround to ‘Flagged waiting for content check’ bug?

There has been a long standing “feature” in the Local Business Center where certain listings would be ‘Flagged waiting for content check’. There have been numerous inquiries into the support forums but often with no word from Google as to what the problem was or how to solve it. For example, one post started in …

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Loci 2008: Ahmed Farooq

Ahmed Farooq is the founder of iBegin.com. He has created, sold and recreated significant local web properties several times over. I communicate almost daily with him about his and my activities and I have found no one to have a better handle on the technical and social issues that confront local nor a better idea …

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