Understanding Google My Business & Local Search
Entries Written By Mike Blumenthal
Google Spam Hall of Shame
In the routine of other research I am doing, I found several listings that definitely deserve nominations to the Google Spam Hall of Shame: Beachside Towing $45 towing in St Augustine and St Augustine Beach Florida More than a fake name and more than a few fake reviews. Was this a fake listing1? Not according to Google. Not …
Living Presidents Speak Out About Google Fake Listings & Research
Google recently released and touted their research on fake listings in Google Maps. While their may have been a few problems with the research and quibbling about the details, I wanted authoritative voices as to its worth. I reached out to the living past and soon to be past presidents1 and asked2 them. “It depends on …
Google Finally Adds Menu Link Option for Smaller Restaurants to GMB
The Google My Business Dashboard now allows restaurants to add menu URL. Last December, Google updated the GMB API to allow for a menu URL attribute to be added. Yesterday they announced that the feature is now available to regular dashboard users via the Google My Business New Features Page. Many restaurants use PDF file formats …
Mike B Around the Local Web
In case you didn’t get enough of me this week here on my blog, you can overindulge in local until you puke at these other fine publications: Ductape Marketing: How to Get Found Using Ever-Changing Local SEO Tactics I have a fun conversation about Local with one of my favorite marketers, John Jantsch. We talk …
The State of Internet Marketing for The SMB: Frustrated
I recently received this comment from poster Frustrated. And it rang so true that I decided to track the writer down. Frustrated is Marc Reisner of Reisner Construction in northern Michigan. He has moved around a bit; Colorado, Seattle and finally landed in Port Sanilac, MI. Turns out he had relatives from the Olean area so we …
Spam In, Garbage Out – Why Google’s Recent Paper on Map Spam is Flawed
The claim made by Google that “…fewer than 0.5% of local searches lead to fake listings” in Google search is NOT a conclusion that can be drawn from Google’s recently published paper. This number understates the number of local searches that lead to the visibility of fake listings due to its assumptions and flawed methodology. And it may do so …
New Podcast Series: Deep Dive into Local with Mike Blumenthal & Mary Bowling
Every week Mary and I (and occasionally some guests) meet to discuss some of the bigger local search issues confronting local marketers and local businesses. We spend anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes covering the issues. The current and previous episodes (which are also available as video) are now available as podcasts. Sign up for your …
Google Announces Study Looking at Abuses in Google Maps – What Does it Mean?
Google posted on their research blog today some summary data from a study Pinning Down Abuse on Google Maps that is being presented tomorrow at the International World Wide Web Conference. The study details released today, while an interesting necessity on the step to cleaning up Maps, leaves many questions unanswered. Our study shows that fewer than 0.5% …
My Recent Posts Elsewhere
I have been busy. Here are my posts from an assortment of sites: 4/5 LocalU: Video Deep Dive: Local Ranking Factors, Making Sense Of It All (now also available as a regular podcast) 4/3 StreetFight: The Coming DIY Cataclysm 4/3 LocalU: Video: Last Week in Local April 3rd, 2017 (now also available as a regular podcast) 3/31 GetFiveStars: Understanding Google Schema Guidelines: Review Snippets vs. …
My Recent Posts
I have been busy, just not here. My recent posts Car Dealers Fined $3.6 Million For Fake Reviews & Deceptive Practices GetFiveStars Why Is My Verified Business Not Showing on a Keyword Search? LocalU Video: Last Week in Local March 27th, 2017 – all the news in 15 minutes – Localu
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