Understanding Google My Business & Local Search
Entries Written By Mike Blumenthal
New Google Blog-Google LatLong
Google’s newest blog, Google LatLong covers the all of Google’s geographic products and should be of interest to anyone interested in local search. Here is what they have to say: Welcome to the Google “geo” blog. As web mapping (dare I say “the geoweb”?) matures, we’re finding that we have a lot more to communicate …
Other news of interest on local
Several posts of interest to local search (both by Greg Sterling): Yahoo Travel Adds new maps Google Analytics Adds Local Features with New Upgrade
Google’s Click to Call coming soon to an ad near you?
In late April (I am still catching up on my reading), Bill Slawsky covered a recent patent application by Google: Exploring Click and Pay to Call (CPTC) Google Phone Ads. It was as interesting for what Google has already implemented as well as what they might implement. Clearly (as you can see from the image …
Interface upgrade on Local OneBox
Google has recently upgraded the Local OneBox with additional pins that create a stronger visual point of entry to Maps. In late January, Google’s upgrade of the Local Onebox led to a dramatic increase of traffic to to Google Maps. At the time I noted that: They are still only showing three results. Why three? …
Google pulling back from the Local OneBox?
The Real Estate Local OneBox is Missing in Action! Real estate is one of the largest areas in local search. Specifically the search, ‘city, st+ real estate’ consistently shows as having one of the highest frequencies for the ‘service/product + locations’ type searches. Until very recently this type of search (‘real estate + city, st‘) …
Mapping Market Share
Chris Coad at the Complete.com Blog has an interesting summary of Map Provider Market share. His conclusions: Though traffic is down more than 20% from it’s peak in June, MapQuest remains the king of online map services with over twice the traffic of it’s nearest competitor. Google Map’s functionality has allowed it to nearly double …
Now appearing at Search Engine Lands:Locals Only
I have recently started writing a monthly article for the Locals Only section at Search Engine Land. My first article addresses Google’s role in the area of voice activated directory assistance. Directory assistance with voice recognition and category listings has the ability to permeate the mobile user market place in the near term and could …
Rate of Change in Google Maps: glacial
The rate of change in Google Maps has been a topic of discussion. I noted issues with reviews not being updated in almost a year for certain businesses. Matt McGee has a very good piece reviewing his experience. His conclusion: the slow rate of change of these prime listings is great news for the businesses …
Google Map’s medical center phone data: Code Red!
Last month there were reports of errors in Google Maps listing for Duke Medical Center phone numbers. Not only were the numbers often times wrong but Google Maps was listing as many as 5 phone numbers for a single facility, few of which went to the central switchboard. To Google’s credit the Duke Medical Center …
Links to Recent Developments that might affect Local Search and other interesting things
Here are some recent announcements that have not been covered widely that I found of interest: NavTeq goes 3-D Summize: Enhancing Search With Heatmaps Maps as art and politics (nothing to do with local search per se but interesting none the less)
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