Here is the much requested Q & A from the Local Search Ranking Factors Webinar.
It's so long I had to do a separate post. Was 13 Word doc pages and I stripped out hundreds of email addresses and tried to strip out most of the comments that were just about sound quality or whatever.
Colan and I were responsible for all the A: answers, but the file does not indicate which of us was answering and sometimes we both were typing at same time so there are double answers. So if you need further clarification on one of our answers, please ask in the main thread linked above.
Can't spend any more time on this, so the formatting is not ideal, but it's readable.
Q & A CHAT LOG
Audience Question:
Q: will presentation be emailed afterwards[Rod McGregor ]
A: Yes will be recorded. Replay will be up in a few days here: InsideLocal: Expert Local Search Webinar Series | BrightLocal and here: InsideLocal Webinars
Audience Question:
Q: will presentation be emailed afterwards[Rod McGregor ]
A: Yes will be recorded. Replay will be up in a few days here: InsideLocal: Expert Local Search Webinar Series | BrightLocal and here: InsideLocal Webinars
Audience Question:
Q: Thanks Linda! Congrats on your Grandchild[Frank Rose]
A: Thanks Frank!
Audience Question:
Q: I have a client that his listing drops or practically disappears but if I barely move the pinpoint and submit it comes back for about 24 hours but happens over and over again. Has anyone else experienced this? Or have a permanent solution? I have reported it and talke dto support but nobody seems to be able to fix it permanently.[Nathan Olsen]
A: Please post in our help forum with details and link to listing: http://localsearchforum.catalystemar...-help-support/
Audience Question:
Q: I have a client that his listing drops or practically disappears but if I barely move the pinpoint and submit it comes back for about 24 hours but happens over and over again. Has anyone else experienced this? Or have a permanent solution? I have reported it and talke dto support but nobody seems to be able to fix it permanently.[Nathan Olsen]
A: There are too many Qs for us to go into QA on complicated cases during webinar. And we also can't usually give the best answers by just guessing as each case is unique. Please post in our help forum with details and link to listing: http://localsearchforum.catalystemar...-help-support/
Audience Question:
Q: do you want to use my friends site as an example to review?[Steve Jones]
A: Thanks we are jam packed and won't have time
Audience Question:
Q: where are your cool glasses andrew?[David deLeon]
A: Andrew is plain vanilla Andrew today. ;-)
Audience Question:
Q: We've done manual submissions for our clients to a lot of major and minor local sites. Is Yext still needed at this point for the premium listings alone?[Ryan Asignacion]
A: IMO - Yext isn't necessary of you have already done good manual submissions
Q: what do you mean by Keyword in Business Title please?[Malcolm Maybury]
Q: Sounds a bit spammy to me[Malcolm Maybury]
Audience Question:
Q: What is IYP/agregator?[Theresa Wagar]
A: Internet Yellow Pages/Aggragtor
Audience Question:
Q: what do you prefer yext or moz local or both?[Imran Africawala]
A: check this out - Local Citation Services Compared - MozLocal vs Yext vs UBL vs BrightLocal vs.Whitespark
Audience Question:
Q: link for presentation David just referenced?[Cathy Millet]
A: http://localsearchforum.catalystemar...ant-local.html
Audience Question:
Q: link for presentation David just referenced?[Cathy Millet]
A: There are several good ones in that thread. David's on top.
Q: thanks :)[Cathy Millet]
Q: In more rural areas in the US - city/town search may be surpased by search by county. how is the radius considered here?[Chris Petracco]
Audience Question:
Q: Would "neighborhoods" be considered in the same category as "real estate development areas?"[Chad Russell]
A: Could be. The point is that it's hyper local and relevant to where the searcher is.
Audience Question:
Q: So Centroid is now dependant on where the searcher is located?[Chad Russell]
A: In a lot of cases, yes.
Q: are the results the same for postal/zip codes as when entering the city name or is that more targeted?[Christopher Sciulli]
Audience Question:
Q: what u recommend just keyword or keyword with geo modifiers?[Imran Africawala]
A: Where? Site title tags or???
Audience Question:
Q: what is gmb[Steve Jones]
A: Google My Business
Audience Question:
Q: what is gmb[Steve Jones]
A: Google My Business - new name for Google Places dashboard
Audience Question:
Q: In terms of hyper local, how well is Google getting at differentiating between businesses that benefit from location vs. those that do not? Exp. A retailer as opposed to a contractor who goes to consumer location.[Dino Maiolo]
A: Google is becoming much better with this
Audience Question:
Q: to target in SEO[Imran Africawala]
A: Geo and KW
Audience Question:
Q: I've suspected that this is where it was going. The traditional centroid factor seemed too restrictive.[Chad Russell]
A: There is also a "business cluster centroid" but yes, the searcher is really the new centroid.
Audience Question:
Q: which review sites are the most important? [Robin Mordini]
A: Depends on the industry. Google+ Local and Yelp are pretty big ones
Q: As it should have been. Thanks for the answer[Chad Russell]
Q: HI Andrew Shotland (waving)[Julie Gallaher]
Audience Question:
Q: Do you have suggestions for cultivating reviews for a business with no existing ones?[Wil Cleaveland]
A: Never stop asking :)
Q: In terms of a local search microdata plugin, anyone know this? https://wordpress.org/plugins/mdp-local-business-seo/ And thoughts on best plugin, how is the Yoast Local SEO plugin?[ADAM BOWIE]
Audience Question:
Q: Will it change so that you cannot rank for a location that you are not located in in the future?[Kieran Headley]
A: I will always be possible if Google thinks that would produce a better search result
Audience Question:
Q: Will it change so that you cannot rank for a location that you are not located in in the future?[Kieran Headley]
A: No crystal ball for future - but since Pigeon some folks are ranking outside the city more now. Depends on area and competition
Audience Question:
Q: will this be recorded and slides sent?[Lisa Kilrea]
A: Yes will be recorded. Replay will be up in a few days here: InsideLocal: Expert Local Search Webinar Series | BrightLocal and here: InsideLocal Webinars
Q: David, when you say reviews does Google apply more weight to Google Plus reviews? Also do negative reviews affect rankings in any way?[Gary Downey]
Q: Provide more depth on what about the website makes it the number 1 factor for rank?[george bardenheier]
Q: About the Same[Chad Russell]
Q: there's more competition in the local space. more people are becoming educated on it[Rory Scherer]
Audience Question:
Q: if i have reviews is he legimate to post review on reviews sites using software?[Imran Africawala]
A: That's a risky approach
Audience Question:
Q: will this be recorded and slides sent?[Lisa Kilrea]
A: Both slides, video AND this QA chat will be posted at that forum link
Q: on GMB[Amir Jafari]
Audience Question:
Q: we are a dental practice in harley street and find it very hard to rank for keywords high enough to get traffic![Steve Jones]
A: Please post in our help forum with details and link to listing: http://localsearchforum.catalystemar...-help-support/
Audience Question:
Q: If i change business name should i start over with a new google page or just change name?[Mike McGuire]
A: Just change name - Google may make new page - it's up to them
Audience Question:
Q: Isn't adding keywords to your business title listing inconsistent with NAP of other citation sites?[Amir Jafari]
A: It can be, but there is no strong evidence to suggest that it can mess it up.
Q: what is your views apple map listings ?[Imran Africawala]
Audience Question:
Q: What do you recommend for a business that goes through a re-branding? Do you recommend keeping old directory listings and creating new ones so that the result is 2 listings? Or updating the old directory listings so that there is one listing?[Landen Martin]
A: Update old listings to new.
Audience Question:
Q: Invalid Forum specified. If you followed a valid link, please notify the administrator[Steve Jones]
A: InsideLocal Webinars All Webinar links are inside here
Audience Question:
Q: Recommendations for helping to soothe clients when the best thing to do is wait?[Bill Bean]
A: Blame it all on Google. No one can control Google. ;-)
Audience Question:
Q: missed something define PACs for me[bob price]
A: That's the local search results - 7 pack, 3 pack...etc
Audience Question:
Q: how do you make sure that old customers can find you via the new listing name?[Landen Martin]
A: Google should have both indexed you you'll come up for old name.
Q: If you have more than one business location on your website would you just apply schema markup to the business locations on their own page and not sitewide for one location? Or would you add schema markup around a single location in the footer sitewide as well as the markup on location pages?[Kieran Headley]
Audience Question:
Q: Is it better to add more categories to gmb when creating a google+ profile to get into more local results? [Robin Mordini]
A: Only add the main ones that are super relevant
Q: No tracking phone numbers-- is it okay to use tracking numbers through DNI...with the local phone number/schema in the footer?[Rachel Rossicone]
Audience Question:
Q: Is it better to add more categories to gmb when creating a google+ profile to get into more local results? [Robin Mordini]
A: As long as the categories are relevant
Audience Question:
Q: David just metioned tracking numbers, are trackng numbers bad?[David deLeon]
A: Generally yes - can be.
Audience Question:
Q: when you say tracking phone numbers, are you saying tracking phone numbers that are used for PPC?[Nick Baken]
A: Similar, yep
Q: do you see a problem with not having the author publisher markup? on the page[jim heinz]
Audience Question:
Q: if someone has 2 business website on same location should we create separte gmb listings?[Imran Africawala]
A: Only if it's two legally separate businesses
Audience Question:
Q: Did I just hear that using tracking numbers like CallRail can hurt rankings?[Brandon Campbell]
A: FYI all - Too many Qs to keep up with. For questions we can’t get to during the event, please post at Webinar Q & A Thread here: >>> Local Search Ranking Factors Webinar w/ David Mihm, Andrew Shotland, Matthew Hunt
Audience Question:
Q: Did I just hear that using tracking numbers like CallRail can hurt rankings?[Brandon Campbell]
A: Yes, it's possible.
Q: I am using callrail and have not had any adverse issues[Neil Belliveau]
Q: Recommended frequency of citation building? [Thomas Smodic]
Q: is there a percentage of exact match anchor text, matthew?[Jennifer Poole]
Audience Question:
Q: can you follow up with how tracking numbers can hurt your business?[David deLeon]
A: It boils down to NAP consistency
Q: worried that looks spammy.[Jennifer Poole]
Q: How to handle Name change of business in hotel industry for citation and rankings ?[Dharam Chaudhari]
Audience Question:
Q: Localeze or MozLocal? What have you seen work better?[Chad Russell]
A: Well, MozLocal cover Localeze plus others...
Audience Question:
Q: When using a traking number is it best to place it on a photo rather than use it in the # field for Citations or on the website?[Andrew Mendel]
Audience Question:
Q: which is best tool to track citations & check NAP consistency?[Imran Africawala]
A: Bright Local and Whitespark have good tools
Q: Differences using citation with keywords and phone numbers?[Sam Ilowitz]
Q: How closely do citations have to match data on your tax records?[Todd McDonald]
Audience Question:
Q: Congrats to the WonderLinda for keeping up with the tsunami of questions![J C]
A: Trying to keep up - have Colan to help thank goodness
Audience Question:
Q: Yext or Moz local? which one is better?[Ashish Solanki]
A: Check this out - Local Citation Services Compared - MozLocal vs Yext vs UBL vs BrightLocal vs.Whitespark
Audience Question:
Q: do very small businesses without a website stand a chance to rank locally? many can't afford organic but can afford a local campaign[Frank Rose]
A: I'm seeing many rank post Pigeon with just a G+ L page or even FB
Audience Question:
Q: Moz Local places your business into Localeze? I didn't know that...[Chad Russell]
A: and InfoUsa, Factual, Acxiom and a few others
Audience Question:
Q: do very small businesses without a website stand a chance to rank locally? many can't afford organic but can afford a local campaign[Frank Rose]
A: Facebook
Q: Great quote Andrew[dan manahan]
Audience Question:
Q: Doesn't Google flag you if you show a lot of activity with links, citations ,etc because it's deemed "unatural"?[Thomas Smodic]
A: If they appear unnatural it can
Audience Question:
Q: When using a traking number is it best to place it on a photo rather than use it in the # field for Citations or on the website?[Andrew Mendel]
A: Tracking # for PPC - yes I'd put in image to be safe.
Q: Can a business just change domains to start from 'normal?'[Jay Juster]
Q: How long is "a while"?[Bill Manos]
Q: What's a best practice tool for doing the Audit that Andrew discusses?[Craig Backus]
Audience Question:
Q: What about creating local pages targetting the cities you service. Will that not have a value?\[shane serra]
A: That can have value if done properly
Q: how does google know if you are using a tracking phone number?[David deLeon]
Q: I don't see 'Blogging' or 'Content Marketing' as a ranking factor as someone like HubSpot would promote. Is that to say a small local business shouldn't bother with blogging? Can blogging hurt rankings for local SEO?[Chris Swanson]
Audience Question:
Q: Unnatural in terms of the source/destination or speed at which they are added?[Thomas Smodic]
A: I suspect both, but mostly the source
Q: Do you have any examples of a good quality web site optimised for local search?[Geoff Kennedy]
Audience Question:
Q: Regarding citations, if a smb has major name inconsistencies, should they consider changing their legal business name to match their branded name? (ie legal name is Robert Smith DDS PA, but they've branded to Robert Smith Dentistry). Or does this matter?[Chris Ratchford]
A: Too complicated to answer here. Please post in forum Chris.
Audience Question:
Q: What is the process of claiming multiple duplicates on Google maps and getting them deleted or merged with our main listing?[Ryan Asignacion]
A: You don't want to claim duplicates. You should report them as duplicates. But also depends on the type of duplicate.
Audience Question:
Q: A business has three physical locations, one website, and three G+ Local Pages. How does publisher markup work in this situation?[Chad Russell]
A: Too complicated. We have too many Qs to keep up with. For questions we can’t get to during the event, please post at Webinar Q & A Thread here: >>> Local Search Ranking Factors Webinar w/ David Mihm, Andrew Shotland, Matthew Hunt OOORRRR for complicated ones start new thread.
Q: are there any citation submission services for the uk like yext is to the us[Steve Jones]
Audience Question:
Q: When building citations, what is the best game plan to seem like a natural progression? 10 a month? 20 a month?[Andrew Mendel]
A: I wouldn't worry about that too much. As long as they are quality sites you should be ok.
Audience Question:
Q: YAY POUTINE!!![Andrew Mendel]
A: HAHA
Audience Question:
Q: I recently saw a drop in only my most two competitive keywords and ONLY on the local listings NOT organic drops at all. Could this a penality due to my excact match anchor text or just competition changing after an update?[Grant Barnard]
A: There are too many Qs for us to go into QA on complicated cases during webinar. And we also can't usually give the best answers by just guessing as each case is unique. Please post in our help forum with details and link to listing: http://localsearchforum.catalystemar...-help-support/
Q: What has more citation value? A citation claimed manually or a citation created by yext or put on sites by data aggregators?[Tom Zigtema]
Audience Question:
Q: MOZ Local or Yext? Or both?[Trevor Clendenin]
A: This may help with the thought process - Local Citation Services Compared - MozLocal vs Yext vs UBL vs BrightLocal vs.Whitespark
Audience Question:
Q: I recently saw a drop in only my most two competitive keywords and ONLY on the local listings NOT organic drops at all. Could this a penality due to my excact match anchor text or just competition changing after an update?[Grant Barnard]
A: OOPS sorry didn't mean to copy that. Was going to say I've seen it for a variety of reasons. Post in help and support with link and we'll check it out for you.
Q: Do you believe that local niche directories with DA of 30-40 are harmful or helpful?[Aaron Watters]
Audience Question:
Q: Any advice for removing duplicates of Google Pages? /Users/faithzaki/Desktop/Screen Shot 2014-11-19 at 2.28.22 PM.png[Faith Zaki]
A: You can report them using Google's Troubleshooter found at the Help Center
Q: what is the difference between horizontal and vertical?[Chad Russell]
Audience Question:
Q: How do you find all the most prominent authority sites in your local area and in your industry?[Von Smith]
A: Check competition - plus lots of resources on this at the forum.
Q: You live in Pleasanton? I used to live in Concord[Sherry Bonelli]
Audience Question:
Q: what u recommend subdomain or subfolder or different sites if the client wants to target multiple cities and states?[Imran Africawala]
A: Most suggest subfolders, but it's a pretty debated topic
Q: Question about Quality of citations/links - does the Page Authority rely on how often it gets updated. Thus Yelp doing better than older iYPs.[Raisa MacLeod]
Audience Question:
Q: What has more citation value? A citation claimed manually or a citation created by yext or put on sites by data aggregators?
[Tom Zigtema]
A: I don't think it makes any difference. Maybe worth testing
Q: lost the video feed[george bardenheier]
Q: ah so "reviews around the web" were removed from the actual G+ listing, but there are still "more reviews" in the knowledge graph...didnt realize that, thanks![Rachel Rossicone]
Q: i don't like yext[christopher szalkowski]
Audience Question:
Q: Brightlocal does check for the quality citations correct?[Andrew Mendel]
A: It reports in Domain Authority
Q: Bogus sources are deleted or simply rated poorly?[Andrew Mendel]
Audience Question:
Q: with the "more reviews" button on the knowledge graph, if the more reviews connect to the wrong business (with a similar name), how can you change this? For example, a franchise with different locations. [Robin Mordini]
A: Contact Google My Business Support and they might be able to fix it
Audience Question:
Q: with the "more reviews" button on the knowledge graph, if the more reviews connect to the wrong business (with a similar name), how can you change this? For example, a franchise with different locations. [Robin Mordini]
A: Knowledge graph is complicated - esp that issue. Post that one at the forum.
Audience Question:
Q: What is best practices for phone number format for citations (123) 456-789 or 123-456-7890?[Sam Ilowitz]
A: The 1st format for sure
Audience Question:
Q: What is best practices for phone number format for citations (123) 456-789 or 123-456-7890?[Sam Ilowitz]
A: Google seems to (123) 456-789. But each citation site has their own formatting so it's sometimes out of your hands.
Audience Question:
Q: What is important to do when changing domain name[Mike McGuire]
A: Thats a huge Q, and a little off topic for this webinar. Please post at forum.
Q: do you think having links from really robust high authority social profiles matters rather than links from nearly dead profiles[Julie Gallaher]
Audience Question:
Q: What is best practices for phone number format for citations (123) 456-789 or 123-456-7890?[Sam Ilowitz]
A: When I said for sure - I was talking about own site. Some citations diff format, so can't control that.
Audience Question:
Q: If consistency mattters why do so many sites format phone number differntly.[Neil Belliveau]
A: it's a small detail. It doesn't have as big of an impact as say an inconsistent business name.
Audience Question:
Q: If consistency mattters why do so many sites format phone number differntly.[Neil Belliveau]
A: Don't sweat it. Google is good at figuring out. Just be as consistent as you can.
Audience Question:
Q: What are their thoughts on GetFiveStars... this sounds like a very similar approach[Scott Gilbert]
A: Great service!
Audience Question:
Q: Is adding a geo keyword on your Google+ custom url beneficial?[Ryan Asignacion]
A: You can't add them unless Google offers them to you. Have you been offered one?
Audience Question:
Q: Has Matthew experienced any problems with reviews sticking on G+ Local? [Mike M]
A: I think we all have?
Audience Question:
Q: awesome seminar Thanks! is it being recorded? gotta bounce[Mike McGuire]
A: Yes will be recorded. Replay will be up in a few days here: InsideLocal: Expert Local Search Webinar Series | BrightLocal and here: InsideLocal Webinars
Q: On most of our clients we are always given an option for a brand name url as well as a brand name + geo. There is also an option where you can add an additional line.[Ryan Asignacion]
Q: We have been using WebPunch for generating reviews.[Ginger Jones]
Audience Question:
Q: We have two staffed locations. We got a fair amount of reviews on one Google listing locations. Is there anything wrong with asking some of our more enthusiastic to leave a review on our second location as well?[todd mccall]
A: Sounds like a risky plan.
Audience Question:
Q: awesome seminar Thanks! is it being recorded? gotta bounce[Mike McGuire]
A: Slide deck and this QA chat will be posted at that forum thread too.
Audience Question:
Q: We have two staffed locations. We got a fair amount of reviews on one Google listing locations. Is there anything wrong with asking some of our more enthusiastic to leave a review on our second location as well?[todd mccall]
A: I could see that being a good way to get flagged.
Q: Is it in Google's long term profitabilty interests to rank Facebook review highly????[Martin Lloyd]
Audience Question:
Q: awesome seminar Thanks! is it being recorded? gotta bounce[Mike McGuire]
A: Yes will be recorded. Replay will be up in a few days here: InsideLocal: Expert Local Search Webinar Series | BrightLocal and here: Local Search Ranking Factors Webinar w/ David Mihm, Andrew Shotland, Matthew Hunt
Audience Question:
Q: Does Google still have "Top Reviewers"[Chad Russell]
A: Yes, I believe they do
Q: How do you discover folks who are quality reviewers just by talking with them . .. ?[Theresa Wagar]
Q: Has anyone had reviews transferred from one page to another with a split of busines services? [Thomas Smodic]
Audience Question:
Q: is there are articles on the 5 review rule mentioned?[Neil Belliveau]
A: Virtual offices, in most of there incarnations are not allowed for Google+ Local pages
Q: Schema tagging testimonials on website as reviews good or bad?[Ryan Asignacion]
Audience Question:
Q: I am expanding my tile business to another city. I used a virtual office. Is this best practice. What recourses can you give me about starting multiple locations?[Mike Bederman]
A: Virtual offices are not permitted to have Google+ Local pages, at least most types aren't
Audience Question:
Q: How do you go about opening multiple location?[Mike Bederman]
A: Please post in the 101 section of the forum and we'll help there.
Audience Question:
Q: how much impact do you feel the google photo tour has on the rankings - if any?[kaycie smith]
A: Lots of insight at the Local Search Forum
Audience Question:
Q: will the powerpoint be available too?[Derek Gannotta]
A: Local Search Ranking Factors Webinar w/ David Mihm, Andrew Shotland, Matthew Hunt
Slide deck and this QA chat will be posted at that forum link too.
Audience Question:
Q: I've seen some review stars in Google showing up by select PPC ads - what's that about?[Kathleen Rhodes]
A: These are something called Seller Ratings
Audience Question:
Q: What is the forum URL?[Mike Bederman]
A: http://www.localsearchforum.com
Audience Question:
Q: I also learned from Joy that those review snippets don't just come form G+ reviews.[Amber Robinson]
A: Yes they can come from other sites as well
Q: I guess my question was misunderstood....Is there a benefit to targeting atleast 5 reviews for a business.[Neil Belliveau]
Audience Question:
Q: What about B2B reviews? Could there be potentially more weight given to those when the businesses are in the same city?[Amber Robinson]
A: B2B is interesting Q. Joy has insights about that.
Q: *regards[Stuart Hardy]
Audience Question:
Q: How big a deal is Four Square in reagrds to SEO anyways?[Stuart Hardy]
A: They seem to be a big player and they are getting bigger
Q: nasty business[Jim OBrien]
Audience Question:
Q: I had a hot pot in college[Jim OBrien]
A: Hot pot - who named that???
Q: where is the google turkey hot pot?[paul lovell]
Audience Question:
Q: Will sending a direct link to land on G+ Local review page to write review be penalized? Or better for user to find the review page on their own via search engine results page or Google Map business search?[Sam Ilowitz]
A: Direct link is just fine. What you want to avoid is a sudden influx of reviews.
Q: 1 order of Turkey run with a side order of Google HotPot please[J C]
Audience Question:
Q: Will sending a direct link to land on G+ Local review page to write review be penalized? Or better for user to find the review page on their own via search engine results page or Google Map business search?[Sam Ilowitz]
A: Don't think so. Google tells us to ask for reviews.
Audience Question:
Q: Is that David referring to "People talk about..." when he was talking about Google manually writing snippets? [Edgar Estrada]
A: Yes
Audience Question:
Q: I only askd bc it ssems to me that they have dies off a bit on social media, espcially since you can log in on FB.[Stuart Hardy]
A: DAvis Mihm wrote an interesting article about them a few months back
Q: The problem with click-through rate is that it is affected by the SEO and your ranking![Raisa MacLeod]
Audience Question:
Q: That State of search info was epic! I might - might know someone else who has tested and proven how that works...![Mark bossert]
A: Consistency and Quality over quantity
Q: great insight Matt[dan manahan]
Audience Question:
Q: Consistency or quanitity as a priority in citations? E.g. if you already have 20 citations, 10 of which were identical and the other 10 had minor spelling/spacing inconsistencies. Would you say time is better spent building more citations or aligning everything to the letter first?[Joe read]
A: Consistency and Quality over quantity
Audience Question:
Q: on multiple locations: is it important to link to a unique city page from each citation? or linking all listings to the homepage is fine?[David Mizrahi]
A: Unique pages are generally best. Plus it creates a better user experience.
Audience Question:
Q: Would love to get a link to that deck that was just mentioned...[Scott Gilbert]
A: http://localsearchforum.catalystemar...ant-local.html
Q: Would Google look at CTR for Ads going to sites and incorporate that as a behavioral signal? Or keep that separate because it's done through Google Adwords?[Thomas Smodic]
Q: yes we are gaming it and it works![Enis El]
Q: does the rel="me" attribute have a positive impact on your review links?[Matt Smith]
Q: I do that all day long Myles and works like crazy[David Moceri]
Q: backlinks or content[David Moceri]
Audience Question:
Q: Are reviews considered a behavioral signal? [Bryan Heckler]
A: I would think they would be.
Audience Question:
Q: crowd source traffic because activity trumps everything[David Moceri]
A: Yep be active and newsworthy and get lots of links that way naturally
Q: How can you turn on personalization in Google?[Robin Mordini]
Q: In the review analytic section of the G+ Local within GMB. Does Trip Advisor provide a good signal for Google regarding reviews? Why does Google show Trip Advisor from 3 sources not just one, for example > tripadvisor.co... - TripAdvisor - TripAdvisor (U..?[Sam Ilowitz]
Audience Question:
Q: MIght have missed this as I just joined in, but what is the best argument for the relevance of Google + to a SMB owner who feels it is unnecessary?[Stuart Hardy]
A: Do you want new potential customers to be able to find you?
Q: How does that apply to service business, such as auto repair?[Ed Burckhardt]
Audience Question:
Q: Fivrr was mentioned, was the conclusion that will be penalized for sending traffic to your site through services like these?[Alex Alvarez]
A: It's risky
Q: any thoughts on how to fight auto suggest results on google?[David Mizrahi]
Audience Question:
Q: Fivrr was mentioned, was the conclusion that will be penalized for sending traffic to your site through services like these?[Alex Alvarez]
A: Don't think there was a conclusion it was just mentioned that folks are gaming with it. Don't think anyone here would recommend it as a good strategy.
Q: value[Andrew Mendel]
Q: how much of an influence do you think that the Facebook pages search will have on traffic and Google using these pages??[Kieran Headley]
Audience Question:
Q: Will the be a recording of this webinar to view again?[Anthony Shields]
A: Yes will be recorded. Replay will be up in a few days here: InsideLocal: Expert Local Search Webinar Series | BrightLocal and here: Local Search Ranking Factors Webinar w/ David Mihm, Andrew Shotland, Matthew Hunt
Slide deck and this QA chat will be posted at that forum link too.
Audience Question:
Q: Will the be a recording of this webinar to view again?[Anthony Shields]
A: Yes will be recorded. Replay will be up in a few days here: InsideLocal: Expert Local Search Webinar Series | BrightLocal and here: InsideLocal Webinars
Q: How do they prefer to do mobile websites? I like to use dudamobile redirect, but others seem to emphasize responsive designs...[Scott Gilbert]
Audience Question:
Q: if we write one blog post for 100 clients, due to it not being unique for all 100 clients does it lose valure[Andrew Mendel]
A: Yes it loses value.
Audience Question:
Q: if we write one blog post for 100 clients, due to it not being unique for all 100 clients does it lose valure[Andrew Mendel]
A: if it's duplicate content yes
Q: very recently Google My Business has been removing "of" from business names. How will this affect citations consistency. Should businesses change their names on their schema tags and directory citations to match?[Tom Zigtema]
Audience Question:
Q: Do Adwords play a roll with Google Local organic rankings?[Frank Zuuring]
A: Nope
Audience Question:
Q: Vey good! TY! So basically letting them know the importance of Google search and it's relation to G+ now also being duplicitous with places?[Stuart Hardy]
A: Yes - Just tell them Google is the new yellow pages. Sounds like they are behind the times.
Q: Yes! They *all* are! lol![Stuart Hardy]
Audience Question:
Q: I did a client search and the local map that populated in goode search showed a map, when i clicked the map is took me to a canpages (yellow pages) map? Why notm goolge maps in google?[shane serra]
A: Interesting, care to share link here - http://localsearchforum.catalystemar...-help-support/
Q: This Q&A section is at least as valuable as the webinar - thanks![Celeste Bishop]
Q: adwords can mess with your local ranking in the sense that your ad can "bump" your maps listings -- be sure your name is in the ad[Kimbers Sheppard]
Q: any thoughts on how to push down google search auto-suggest ?[David Mizrahi]
Q: love this stuff[Pete Kici]
Audience Question:
Q: Has anyone received any update on Apple Maps for multi-location businesses? [Edgar Estrada]
A: Andrew is big on Apple maps and may have answer
Q: Sorry, Tags for mobile SEO? I've never heard on this before. Is there an article you can reference?[Rachael Janssen]
Q: No - would love it![Celeste Bishop]
Audience Question:
Q: but will you be penalized for these 100 blogs and/or web content?[Stuart Hardy]
A: Well, the blogs will most likely get filtered from the Search results
Audience Question:
Q: What about Apple Maps? Any suggestions on how to get shown?[Julie Gallaher]
A: Andrew has a site all about Apple Maps. Don't have time to find it
Q: https://www.google.com/search?q=accu...q=t&gws_rd=ssl FYI I am in Canada[shane serra]
Q: Tried a bunch of my sites on mobile friendly site. Most of my responsive sites accepted it[Theresa Wagar]
Audience Question:
Q: I have to go but WOW thank you for all the good tips![Frank Zuuring]
A: Bye Frank!
Q: Good has a mobile friendly test now too: https://www.google.com/webmasters/to...obile-friendly[Matt Palermo]
Q: The mobile friendly tag is that small green cell phone in the SERPS, right?[Chad Russell]
Q: Hi, what's the current view on practice/practitioner listings for doctors in a single medical practice? We were a 1 doctor practice until recently (when a second doctor joined the practice), so only created a practice listing on Google. Should we now create listings for both doctors?[Will DeLuca]
Q: https://www.google.com/webmasters/to...bile-friendly/ Here is the mobile friendly tool[Jeff Maslan]
Q: Google+ doesnt show as mobile responsive[Kieran Headley]
Q: This is the link. It works well. https://www.google.com/webmasters/to...bile-friendly/[Kevin Davis]
Q: https://developers.google.com/speed/pagespeed/insights/[Russell Falcon]
Audience Question:
Q: very recently Google My Business has been removing "of" from business names. How will this affect citations consistency. Should businesses change their names on their schema tags and directory citations to match?[Tom Zigtema]
A: WHAT? You mean like if "Of" is part of name G has been deleting???
Q: yes[Tom Zigtema]
Audience Question:
Q: Thanks for handling the questions, Linda!!![Scott Gilbert]
A: Colan is helping - could not do alone! Thanks Colan!
Audience Question:
Q: Thanks to YOU Linda![Celeste Bishop]
A: You're welcome Celeste!
Audience Question:
Q: Great webinar, thank you all![Ed Burckhardt]
A: Thanks Ed - glad you likee!
Audience Question:
Q: it should be called "Citation Repiar" or "Citation Optimization"[E-Rock C]
A: Unless you have no citations :)
Audience Question:
Q: it should be called "Citation Repiar" or "Citation Optimization"[E-Rock C]
A: Haha I like Citation Repair!
Q: yeah i have to agree, apple maps is tricky, any ideas on this?[Nick Baken]
Audience Question:
Q: Thank you Linda and Colan! And thank all those other dudes as well![Mark bossert]
A: You're welcome Mark. Thanks for joining us!
Q: My google serp is very different from yahoo and also from bing, same with map listings[Marcus Reed]
Audience Question:
Q: Is this webinar being recorded?[Jade Kaz]
A: Blogging is always good!
Q: Do bing and yahoo listing affect Google ranking?[Ryan DeVaul]
Audience Question:
Q: Is this webinar being recorded?[Jade Kaz]
A: RECORDED?
Yes will be recorded. Replay will be up in a few days here: InsideLocal: Expert Local Search Webinar Series | BrightLocal and here: InsideLocal Webinars
Q: Great thanks![Jade Kaz]
Audience Question:
Q: Is this webinar being recorded?[Jade Kaz]
A: Oops wrong Q - yes recorded Yes will be recorded. Replay will be up in a few days here: InsideLocal: Expert Local Search Webinar Series | BrightLocal and here: Local Search Ranking Factors Webinar w/ David Mihm, Andrew Shotland, Matthew Hunt
Slide deck and this QA chat will be posted at that forum link too.
Q: Their big difference is Bing is SLOWER and has less Spam Control....[E-Rock C]
Audience Question:
Q: Is blogging good or bad for local SEO?[Chris Swanson]
A: Yes blogging always good
Q: Thanks particualry to you Myles and your great webinars![Celeste Bishop]
Audience Question:
Q: Thank you to everyone on the panel and to Linda and Colan as well for all the time and expertise that you have so generously shared with us. I appreciate your help![Tim Colling]
A: Thanks Tim!
Q: but how much blogging is good or bad?[Nick Baken]
Audience Question:
Q: Thank you to everyone on the panel and to Linda and Colan as well for all the time and expertise that you have so generously shared with us. I appreciate your help![Tim Colling]
A: You are welcome Tim. Thanks for joining!
Q: YUP!![Andrew Mendel]
Q: yes!!!!![Vince T]
Q: He is exactly right[David Moceri]
Audience Question:
Q: How do you find the most prominent authority sites for your location and your industry to get citations from?[Von Smith]
A: Check competition is one way. TONS of resources in our citation forum too.
Q: its all about controling expectations[David Moceri]
Q: thanks guys!![Alex Alvarez]
Q: Does having Bing and Yahoo listings impact the rank of a Google listing?[Ryan DeVaul]
Q: Gratz on that grandbaby Linda![Bryan Heckler]
Audience Question:
Q: What do you blog about and how much?[Chris Swanson]
A: Depends on client. Gotta run. Ask in webinar QA Local Search Ranking Factors Webinar w/ David Mihm, Andrew Shotland, Matthew Hunt
Q: can you send a link to the citation forum [Von Smith]
Q: Thanks everyone, great information![Frank Rose]
Q: Thank you all[Martin Lloyd]
Q: welove you [Andrew Mendel]
Q: Thanks that was great![Malcolm Maybury]
Q: david[Andrew Mendel]
Q: 1[Andrew Mendel]
Q: TYVM! SOOOOO HELPFUL![Stuart Hardy]
Q: direct link to darren shaw's slideshare presentation?[Kenny Atcheson]
Q: thanks all...great discussion![kaycie smith]
Q: Thank you! Excellent session![Cheryl Perkins]
Q: thank you, really helpful[Sarah Quinlan]
=================================================
WHEW! I missed the entire webinar, because as you can see Colan and I were buried with tons of great questions! So I'm as excited as you are for the video, which should be posted by tomorrow at the link below.
If your question did not get answered or you want us to elaborate, please ask in the main Webinar thread here. I need to close this thread to replies because it's so long it keeps making the forum time out.