Mike Blumenthal

Update:: Google Confirms 10 Pack Expansion Google’s newest showing of Local results on non geo modified phrases will dramatically enhance the role of local data and of branded local data in search. Its impact will be felt every where from the local dentist to the largest retail brands in the US. It offers up the …

For a brief period earlier in the week, the White House listing in Maps was hijacked by a blackhat locksmith. The hijacking, consistent with previous mapjackings, was reported to me by the locksmith “deepthroat” that previously reported the Maps hijacking technique. It was quickly returned to its normal community editable condition by Google. In related …

Google is now showing the Local 10 Pack on broad single phrase searches with obvious local intent (nods to Florist SEO Watch who spotted this on Saturday and Cathy Rhulloda for pointing it out) without geo modifiers. In US searches, the Local 10 Pack appears on phrases such as – plumber – locksmith – dentist …

Over a year ago I compared Google Maps to Yahoo Local in the nature of their communication upon listing a business in the respective services. I praised Yahoo for proactive, if automated, communications and followup. Yahoo, in contrast to Google, made the signup process seem like not walking off of a cliff in the dark. …

Google Maps has made a small change in the interface (thanks to ever observant LA Florist, Cathy Rulloda) removing the obvious links to toggle between Maps View (seen when entering via Maps link) and Text View (seen when entering via a Universal Local Result). The change, one of many since the August Blue Line role …

Google Map’s LBC phone validation system has been quirky (also see the old help group) over the years, working for many but failing unpredictably for some. It won’t work with a PBX system and seems to have other limitations but a recent post in the Google Help Fourms seems to indicate that currently, for whatever reason, …

Leveraging Small Business Customer Reviews and Testimonials Online – Steven Brier Great summary of all the reasons customer testimonials should be an integrated part of your customer relations strategy and how to make it so. Microsoft GeoSynth to take on Google Street View – Stuart Miles, PocketLint.com Although not due to be launched until later …

Today on NPR’s morning edition they

I received the following ad from TomTom although I am not a TomTom owner: ——————————————————- ——————————————————- The ad struck a wrong chord for me on several fronts: 1)Selling add ons through fear. The ominous tone of the ad seems inappropriate for a product that theoretically is offered to increase ones safety. Aren’t I safe just …

Yesterday released a bunch of new Street View images for cities in the UK and The Netherlands. Today Robin Goad of Hitwise reports a huge jump in traffic for Google Maps in the UK: There was an attendant increase in visit duration as well: It is interesting to note that the average visit time for UK visitors …