Here is the much requested Q & A from the Advanced Google+ Local Optimization 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: hw can we optimize GMB for a certain keywords[nick mir]
A: Proper Category selection is #1
Audience Question:
Q: did he just say to add keywords into the brand's name?[Angie Ilko]
A: No - You could before. Guidelines just changed. Can't any more
Audience Question:
Q: My Google Plus page/Business Information Page has the acronym of my state. However, when you edit address it shows the full name of the state. Which should you use to make sure all your citations match?[Dy Smith]
A: I think acronym is the best bet. I see this happen quite often.
Audience Question:
Q: Who is talking?[Jannell Howell]
A: Phil Rozek
Audience Question:
Q: doesn't that go against everything we preach with local - brand consistency is key?[Angie Ilko]
A: Yes it changed, it was a temp rule oops by Google
Q: ah! Thanks[Jannell Howell]
Audience Question:
Q: Any tips for 'mergering' locations? We have some user-generated locations with a lot of reviews that we never used to 'own'[daniel coyne]
A: Contact GMB Support
Q: is sound working?[jo ann mclellan]
Audience Question:
Q: can the GEO location be added as descriptor in GMB?[Ashish Solanki]
A: No not any more. The rules just changed this week on that. Hang on I'll get the link.
Audience Question:
Q: can the GEO location be added as descriptor in GMB?[Ashish Solanki]
A: Not anymore, at least according to the new guidelines
Audience Question:
Q: i can't see the speaker, too.[Carmelo Barbagallo]
A: No Webcam for Phil today
Q: Bye no audio! Gotta go to sleep[Huey Liew]
Audience Question:
Q: can the GEO location be added as descriptor in GMB?[Ashish Solanki]
A: NEW GUIDELINES: http://localsearchforum.catalystemar...-business.html
Audience Question:
Q: my client has the city in his actual business ame and he recetly lost his page 1 ranking, can we contact google and send his business liscense[cassandra segoviano]
A: post the issue here and someone can have a look - http://localsearchforum.catalystemar...-help-support/
Q: YES[David S]
Q: i wish myles didn't lump those together[Kimbers Sheppard]
Q: GMB has excellent ROI[Kimbers Sheppard]
Audience Question:
Q: my client has the city name in his business name, what can we do to make goole aware that this is the actual business license name[cassandra segoviano]
A: Consistent citations woudl be one. Do they keep editing the name?
Audience Question:
Q: my client has the city in his actual business ame and he recetly lost his page 1 ranking, can we contact google and send his business liscense[cassandra segoviano]
A: If city is really part of name, that's fine. IF lost ranking could be a variety of things. So post as Colan said with link so we can investigate
Audience Question:
Q: My clients map listing is showing up on the wrong google page, is there a way I can connect the map location to another page that's already verified?[lark miller]
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: What are your thoughts on the ability to locally rank a business in small towns around their physical location?[Steve Q]
A: Easier since Pigeon in some cases BUT normally just rank in city you are in depending based on competition.
Audience Question:
Q: G+ has zero return IMO[Kimbers Sheppard]
A: It's certainly hard to track
Audience Question:
Q: So is it better to use less "catagories" for our clients or more "catagories" that apply to their business.[Von Smith]
A: New Guidelines say "less"
Audience Question:
Q: Where can I find the slide deck. Link please.[Jenni Watkins]
A: Yes will be recorded. Replay will be up in a few days here: InsideLocal: Expert Local Search Webinar Series | BrightLocal and here: Advanced Google+ Local Optimization Webinar - Slide deck and this QA chat will be posted at that forum link too.
Q: What about a realtor who is using her name, Realtor[Kathleen Rhodes]
Q: So with the new update less is more?[Cody Summers]
Q: HELLO Casey!![Susan Staupe]
Q: What if we file a dba in our county that changes the name to INCLUDE the descriptors in the actual name?[Craig Backus]
Q: How would you expect Google to enforce or even determine descriptor guideline infractions?[Jim Froling]
Audience Question:
Q: Is Google My Business the same as having a company Google Plus page?[Mark Vigil]
A: Google My Business is the name of the Dashboard that hosts the pages, regardless of what type.
Q: sound check is fine but I have no sound[Mary Stremmel]
Q: If you have multiple locations under one corporation e.g. ABC Medical - San Marcos Office how does this guideline change impact that scenario?[Frank Rose]
Audience Question:
Q: If a client's competitor(s) is using a descriptor in the name, and are ranking in the local pack, should we report it to Google?[Chris Ratchford]
A: You certainly can try.
Audience Question:
Q: QUESTION: I am an SEO (usually really successful). I have one client in CANADA, that is REALLY stuck and we have no idea what to do, they are a dentist. Is there someone on this panel that I can WORK WITH to help out on this client?[shawn v]
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: QUESTION: I am an SEO (usually really successful). I have one client in CANADA, that is REALLY stuck and we have no idea what to do, they are a dentist. Is there someone on this panel that I can WORK WITH to help out on this client?[shawn v]
A: Please post in our help forum with details and link to listing and we can try to help: http://localsearchforum.catalystemar...-help-support/ - Or most of us do consulting so contact one of us for help.
Q: What if you own a EMD and this is the main keyword for your business type - will this give you a clear advantage over competition that do not own EMDs with regards to GMB guidelines[ashleigh fletcher]
Q: for Casey - I'm working on law firm[Dave Avilla]
Audience Question:
Q: How many categories should be used? 1?[Andrew Mendel]
A: As many that are relevant. I wouldn't stress about it too much.
Audience Question:
Q: How can we maintain business name consistency with this new solo practioner busines name format? (practice name: practioner)[Jannell Howell]
A: Actually it's a GOOD thing. That way if G finds citations with either NAP it will get credited instead of adding a dupe
Audience Question:
Q: what month did google say that descriptors and city names was no longer allowed and when about would I have seen a penalty from that?[Grant Barnard]
A: This was announced this week.
Audience Question:
Q: where can we find the latest guidelines that the panel is referencing?[John Lepore]
A: https://support.google.com/business/..._topic=4540086
Audience Question:
Q: hi can bring this up and see if it set up good ? https://plus.google.com/+PrintEZ/about[MOSES ROSE]
A: Sorry no time for indiv cases. Please post in our help forum with details and link to listing: http://localsearchforum.catalystemar...-help-support/
Q: Casey - I am working on a law firm's site. The name is "Law Office of ______" Should we remove the initial phrase?[Dave Avilla]
Audience Question:
Q: what if your current business name HAS a descriptor in the legal name[Rod Mcgregor]
A: Then it's fine. Real name should be real name.
Audience Question:
Q: my client has 8 locations around a big city, each with its own google+ page, but only three up in Google maps, how come?[Ernest Lambert]
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: What's the best way to contact google so I can change my map location to a connect to a different page?[lark miller]
A: https://support.google.com/business/...9639&contact=1
Audience Question:
Q: What's the best way to contact google so I can change my map location to a connect to a different page?[lark miller]
A: You need to switch it yourself. I have a post about how to do it in the forum. No time to post link. Please ask in QA after event here. Advanced Google+ Local Optimization Webinar
Q: what about multiple locations (addresses) for same brand (name)[Jeff Thompson]
Q: What's your approach right now with one of your clients to market multiple car brands?[Aaron Jurgens]
Audience Question:
Q: what if the businesses are on same address but different suite #? can it be submitted?[Ashish Solanki]
A: Yes they can.
Audience Question:
Q: Doctors used to be able to have a practice listing in the name of the brand as well as a DR listing. Do the new guidelines suggest that solo practitioners are no longer able to build a brand page for their practice, that they can only now have one listing?[Patricia Ptacek]
A: No that's not quite right. Please ask here and I'll explain: http://localsearchforum.catalystemar...-business.html
Audience Question:
Q: We've got a Practioner GMB profile that we want to get out of the SERPs. With these changes, does it still make sense to link duplicate Practitioner profiles to the bio pages on your site so that your Practice profile stays in the SERPs?[Todd McCall]
A: Yes, that's still a good strategy.
Q: What about businesses with the same business name different addresses but the same phone numbers?[Cody Summers]
Q: do you have to have a physical storefront to use maps?[lark miller]
A: You need a physical location, yes.
Audience Question:
Q: if I have a business like Los Angeles Plumbers and that is their company name is it ok to use that?[David deLeon]
A: If it's the real name, yes.
Q: Is there a document with reccomended practices for optimizing a local Google+ page?[Adam erhart]
Audience Question:
Q: one of my client's GMBH is ranking very well on most of the keywords because it has keyword and city name in the business title. should I remove the keyword and city now ? would it result in drop in local ranking ? or should I wait and see what happens in next one month ? [Sumit Goswami]
A: Is KW and city actually part of name or added on? Depends and no one knows what will happen yet.
Audience Question:
Q: Why doesn't google talk to people like Greg, to learn how these changes will affect businesses like car dealerships?[jb wilson]
A: Google does a ton of focus groups, and they are starting to do more and more
Q: This is very worrying as I have a client with 15 locations with same busienss name around London. To distinguish each we added the location ie name of building to the name. They were accepted and performing well. Now thats wrong now I take it? Do you think I need to change them back Linda?[Cliff Grainger]
Audience Question:
Q: what about businesses with the same business name different locations but the same phone number?[Cody Summers]
A: It's spelled out in guidelines, all should have the same name unless the name is diff for each.
Audience Question:
Q: to touch on what casey said about aggregators. do u find when doing citation cleanup that you clean up a listing and then it's changed back to old information. do u attribute this to data aggregators? [Jennifer Poole]
A: Hi Jennifer, sometimes yes, sometimes it could be another source
Audience Question:
Q: The new guidelines about the name mention marketing taglines, store codes, etc which was not allowed before either but doesn't say anything about the single descriptors specifically... Should I tell my clients the single descriptor is not allowed anymore and to remove it if added? Thanks![Ursula Roberts]
A: Yes not allowed any more. Only real name.
Q: Thanks :([Ursula Roberts]
Audience Question:
Q: so if you have law firm with 2 lawyers. A & B Attorney. can you have one page for firm, one page for each lawyer?[Pat Littleton]
A: Yeppers!
Q: What is your take on duplicate issues on local search terms and descriptors for websites? Since Google has been accepting more duplicate content as compared to national search terms[Chris M]
Audience Question:
Q: should a doctor have a google+ page for their practice and another for them individually?[Ernest Lambert]
A: Ideally no - but Google will create them. But they usually hurt ranking. I have a big post about how to deal with it in the duplicate section of the forum.
Q: can he speak closer to his mic it is not clear[jo ann mclellan]
Audience Question:
Q: Has Google expanded the available categories to choose with this change?[Lindsay Mineo]
A: No I don't think so
Audience Question:
Q: how many categories are recommended post pigeon?[Alex Alvarez]
A: However many are relevant
Audience Question:
Q: keyword and city name are not the part of the company name. do you think removing it can result in drop in local ranking ? [Sumit Goswami]
A: It really depends
Audience Question:
Q: keyword and city name are not the part of the company name. do you think removing it can result in drop in local ranking ? [Sumit Goswami]
A: Could drop OR could help. Because adding both was a violation AND broke NAP
Q: how bad is it if the primary category was initially selected wrong?[Celeste Bishop]
Audience Question:
Q: whats the link for the google places category tool?[Cody Summers]
A: Blumenthals Olean NY & Bradford Pa- strong support and a personal touch. Web Hosting, Design, e-commerce, Macintosh Support- Google Places Category Tool - Google Categories - Google Maps
Audience Question:
Q: whats the link for the google places category tool?[Cody Summers]
A: Theres one at Moz and one at Blumenthals no time to find. Maybe another listener can?
Audience Question:
Q: I noticed recently that you are able to have a custom URL on your Google+ page, how does choosing to do that affect ranking?[Adam Shorts]
A: Doesn't seem to have a ranking impact
Audience Question:
Q: can I get the link to the forum?[Steve Q]
A: http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/
Q: Linda,[Von Smith]
Audience Question:
Q: So having a law firm with 5 attorneys can create a listing for each attorney. This is allowed but is this a good practice?[Ryan Asignacion]
A: Can hurt ranking for the main practice listing. See this post: http://localsearchforum.catalystemar...-dentists.html
Q: If google is the new yellow pages, why can't you advertize in multiple categories? These changes hurt businesses too much, google too much power over businesses.[jb wilson]
Audience Question:
Q: what tool can we use for the categories? [Mike Hansen]
A: Blumenthals Olean NY & Bradford Pa- strong support and a personal touch. Web Hosting, Design, e-commerce, Macintosh Support- Google Places Category Tool - Google Categories - Google Maps and https://moz.com/local/categories
Q: How do SIC codes relate to categories?[Jim LeClair]
Audience Question:
Q: Within a law firm, should I setup a page for each partner and each attorney? If I do setup a page for the firm and every attorney, how should I title each page? ie: Super Lawyers & Jane Doe - Super Lawyers?[Aaron Jurgens]
A: See new guidelines for the name part of Q. But for practitioner listings see this: http://localsearchforum.catalystemar...-dentists.html
Audience Question:
Q: Is there an average acceptable number of categories to choose per page, like 3-5 or just 1?[Derrick O'Keefe]
A: No, it would depend on the industry/vertical
Audience Question:
Q: Category Research with Moz Local - Moz[Von Smith]
A: Thanks Von!
Audience Question:
Q: Category List frrom Blumenthal: Blumenthals Olean NY & Bradford Pa- strong support and a personal touch. Web Hosting, Design, e-commerce, Macintosh Support- Google Places Category Tool - Google Categories - Google Maps[Scott Rawlins]
A: Thanks Scott!
Audience Question:
Q: Can you change your category? I want to rank for intermet advertising agency in my city/state, but I don't. I onky rank for my city seo.[Dy Smith]
A: In GMB, yes you can change your category.
Audience Question:
Q: Does the mile radius on delivery goods impact what cities where you are listed?[Mikkel Adams]
A: Most research indicates that it does not
Q: we have lost the sound a couple of times in the last few minutes[Karen McDonell]
Audience Question:
Q: Does the mile radius on delivery goods impact what cities where you are listed?[Mikkel Adams]
A: Not at all.
Audience Question:
Q: Can you change your category? I want to rank for intermet advertising agency in my city/state, but I don't. I onky rank for my city seo.[Dy Smith]
A: Typically will only rank in your city - depending on competition
Audience Question:
Q: multiple photos and videos on GMB page really helps?[Sumit Goswami]
A: if high quality and attractive it can help by increasing CTR
Audience Question:
Q: :)[Von Smith]
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: >>> Advanced Google+ Local Optimization Webinar
Q: how about homepage for state location and city landing page for city where person is located (this question is for a lawyer who also gets state clients)[Eric Reiss]
Q: Can the panel speak to businesses that are more oriented to service area, like contractors?[Bill Manos]
Audience Question:
Q: GMB page with custom URL have more chances of getting ranked higher ?[Sumit Goswami]
A: There is no evidence that it does
Audience Question:
Q: if you have multiple addresses for offices would you not list them in the footer. Would you list any address in the footer at that time?[neil Belliveau]
A: I have a big post at the forum about this. No time to find the link. It's under the multi-location hashtag. TONS of posts here: #multi-location - Search Results - Local Search Forum
Q: Should Schema code be used on a client's site if the client services multiple areas and doesn't serve customers at their physical location?[Daniel Motes]
Q: OK what about conversions to sales????[Andrew Anderson]
Audience Question:
Q: I have a client with 5 Steakhouse locations in Manhattan. We market each location separately and have build separate landing pages within the domain for each location. We have sporadic success. Since we are not using or marketing the home page, which has the highest page authority, it seems we are losing out to single location Steakhouses that are using the full domain and page authority of their Home Page. What are your thoughts? Should we stick with marketing each location separately or market and focus on the brand and the power of the Home Page since Google Carousel never returns more than one location in the search results at a time?[Gary Downey]
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: i totally disagree[jon muranko]
Q: landing pages are it[jon muranko]
Q: What about siloing the website so you do get the link juice to all themes within the website?[Chris M]
Audience Question:
Q: Can you link to more than one location landing page if you had dedicated location pages within your website?[Mikkel Adams]
A: you can link multiple G+ Local pages to different landing pages on a site, yes.
Q: links pointing to GMB listings helps in getting higher ranking in local pack ?[Sumit Goswami]
Audience Question:
Q: What do you reccomend for service business that service diferrent cities. Link to location/city pages? [Jenni Watkins]
A: Well they would still just have one G+ Local page so home page is probably best. But it can depend..
Audience Question:
Q: Multiple location Q -- i have used the phone number for single location pages in the title tag and found it helpful. When working with multiple locations that have dedicated pages for each location - should i also put the unique location phone number in the title tag on their dedicated page?[Celeste Bishop]
A: Couldn't hurt and can increase conversions from the SERP's
Q: Thx![Celeste Bishop]
Audience Question:
Q: Is there a recommendation on how many hyperlnks (to pages within my website) to add within my Google business description[Faiz Merchant]
A: You can add as amany as you feel is relevant. Two is a good number, but if it makes sense to add more for a good user experience, go for it.
Audience Question:
Q: We have done a lot of testing on this ourselves - and in almost every case linking to the homepage outweights linking to local pages[Baltej Gill]
A: But if you have lots of locations you don't want them all competing with each other for the home page. Can hurt you .
Audience Question:
Q: What about adding a Google+ Business Page Badge to the local landing pages? That establishes publisher markup to that particular local landing page for the corresponding G+ page? Whouldn't that help Google understand where the connection should be? [Chad Russell]
A: THat's a good idea, yessir.
Q: I would like to know what is the average bounce rate ? When should we become concerned? and what can we do to decrease our bounce rate?[MOSES ROSE]
Audience Question:
Q: It may just be me but I keep gettign booted off the audi and have to close down gottowebinar and join[mary bowling]
A: Sorry Mary, I saw you leave. Didn't know you got booted. Sorry don't know what to do.
Audience Question:
Q: It may just be me but I keep gettign booted off the audi and have to close down gottowebinar and join[mary bowling]
A: But will be recorded so you won't miss anything.
Audience Question:
Q: I have approx 10 services that my clinic offers. Would i get penalized for adding links to all 10 of my services pages?[Faiz Merchant]
A: hard to say Faiz. Want to test it out ;)
Q: higher number views are important ?[Sumit Goswami]
Audience Question:
Q: I have approx 10 services that my clinic offers. Would i get penalized for adding links to all 10 of my services pages?[Faiz Merchant]
A: Not a good idea. You should just link to home and home should link to all your service pages
Audience Question:
Q: Are questions still open/visable? Cannot view them[Jenna Eckl]
A: They are, yes
Audience Question:
Q: Are questions still open/visable? Cannot view them[Jenna Eckl]
A: Yes you just typed a Q
Q: IS Google revamping the review platform on GMB?[andrew leonard]
Audience Question:
Q: For a service area business I believe you can have two pages if you have a loction there for a PIN code verification and separate phone numbers, but the service area in those two G+ pages cannot overlap cities[Thomas Smodic]
A: No only one page.
Q: What kinds of tactics are you using to get people to review? Do you use a review guide that is handed out? How do the customers know to go there?[Shannon Melrose]
Audience Question:
Q: For a service area business I believe you can have two pages if you have a loction there for a PIN code verification and separate phone numbers, but the service area in those two G+ pages cannot overlap cities[Thomas Smodic]
A: You must have two separate physical business locations
Audience Question:
Q: I got that from a Google rep himself. Yes he has two physical business locations[Thomas Smodic]
A: Well typically if service area business cannot. But kind of depends on situation
Q: Opinion on the possible negative impact of using tracking parameters on the website url (re: google campaign) on the GMB page?[Bill Bean]
Audience Question:
Q: a home based business should be a brand page correct?[Andrew Mendel]
A: Not by default, no. It can be a local business with hidden address.
Audience Question:
Q: a home based business should be a brand page correct?[Andrew Mendel]
A: No if you want it to rank it won't if brand page. Need to do local page AND hide address. It's a violation not to hide address
Q: ive never responded to any of my reviews. Would it be helpful to reply to reviews that are from a year ago? Or should i just start replying to reviews going forward[Faiz Merchant]
Q: Whats the suggestion on generating reviews to Google+ profiles VS trying to generate reviews on third party sites like Shopper Approved for adwords....[Evan Oder]
Q: I would like to know what is the average bounce rate ? When should we become concerned? and what can we do to decrease our bounce rate?[MOSES ROSE]
Audience Question:
Q: Is that posting on Google plus helping SEO[Kenny Atcheson]
A: Indirectly. If done well, can increase engagement and CTR which is a ranking factor
Audience Question:
Q: a longer business description is helpful in local ranking ?[Sumit Goswami]
A: If tallking description on G+ L no - not a ranking factor
Q: Any insight into the cover photo, and how it truncates the original image when you size/resize a browser?[Christopher Connor]
Q: Nice!![Malcolm Maybury]
Q: We optimized his site for a larger city nearby, but then he got a physical location in that city as his business grew. We then created a G+ page for only that city and took off that city in the old G+ page. That's what the Google Rep told me. [Thomas Smodic]
Audience Question:
Q: what if the same business has both a storefront and a home based location is that ok?[Andrew Mendel]
A: Depends on type of business
Q: Complete G+ profile is more about user expirience than ranking correct? [Jenni Watkins]
Audience Question:
Q: what if the same business has both a storefront and a home based location is that ok?[Andrew Mendel]
A: Sounds odd, would have to see the details. http://localsearchforum.catalystemar...-help-support/
Q: I work with the business view 360 program here in California if anyone needs a photographer.[ian bady]
Audience Question:
Q: What about a home based business that occasionally actually does service customers there at the address? Should the address still be hidden just to be safe?[Grant Barnard]
A: YES still hide unless have big business sign on front lawn
Q: We are having a problem getting our clients logo to fit in the circular "profile" image, do you know of any tips or guidelines to make the logo fit nicely into the circular "profile" image area?[Von Smith]
Q: I am a Google Trusted Photographer in Louisiana. If you have any questions regarding Business View, you can email me at jr@jrportman.com[J.R. Portman]
Audience Question:
Q: is business view just as important for SAB's?[Amber Robinson]
A: Yes, but can influence ranking indirectly by attracting more page interactions and CTR
Audience Question:
Q: is business view just as important for SAB's?[Amber Robinson]
A: I'd say even more so. Good for Google trust that the location is real. BUT if it's a house, maybe not
Audience Question:
Q: My client had two Google+ Local pages, I called Google Support and they helped me to delete one of the listings. Now it is sitting in my "deleted" pages which I can still restore. The page still appears in the search results. How long will it take for the deleted page to disappear from the search results completely?[Yev Zakharov]
A: Deleting from dash WILL NOT delete from maps.
Audience Question:
Q: What about embedding their Google Business View on their website? Many of my clients are using BUsiness view and seeing the benefit more from when they put it ON page, not so much though from just having it on Google+[Evan Oder]
A: Yes that's the big bene! Put on the site: For more great Business View ideas see: “DYNAMIC! Google Business View: Get your Creative Juices AND Your Traffic Flowing!” Link >>> DYNAMIC! Google Business View: Get your Creative Juices AND Your Traffic Flowing!
Audience Question:
Q: what is Business View?[Margaret McSeveney]
A: For more great Business View ideas see: “DYNAMIC! Google Business View: Get your Creative Juices AND Your Traffic Flowing!” Link >>> DYNAMIC! Google Business View: Get your Creative Juices AND Your Traffic Flowing!
Audience Question:
Q: what is Business View?[Margaret McSeveney]
A: It's the Google Business Photos that you can have taken of your business and appear on your G+ page
Audience Question:
Q: What is the cost for a photo shoot?[Steve Q]
A: It depends on teh size of the job and the photographer
Q: I would like to know what is the average bounce rate ? When should we become concerned? and what can we do to decrease our bounce rate?[MOSES ROSE]
Audience Question:
Q: What do I need to do to delete the page form the map?[Yev Zakharov]
A: Report a problem or call support. Only Google can remove
Audience Question:
Q: GMBV also increases dwell time on a website when embedded[Cliff Grainger]
A: Yes for sure!
Q: Are web 2.0's as usful for local SEO as they are for national SEO?[Adam Shorts]
Q: One fo the business I do work for, does not have an open premises, they deliver to the customer. I have product images in their Googel Business Page[Margaret McSeveney]
Audience Question:
Q: My client ranks for their city keyword, BUT only if you search from WITHIN the city. If you are in a nearby city and search for the same 'city keyword' they don't show up.. how do you fix something like this??[Derek Cladek]
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: Is there a phone number for G+ Support? Each time I track down what I think is a good #, I just get bounced around a telephone system[Aaron Jurgens]
A: You can request a call back here = https://support.google.com/business/...9639&contact=1
Audience Question:
Q: is anyone relly seeing significant conversions from Google+ pages, Google Maps and/or listings ranking in the local packs? Hw are you measuring visits from listings ranking in the local packs?[mary bowling]
A: Good Q, not sure. Start a new thread at the forum. Really good topic.
Audience Question:
Q: is anyone relly seeing significant conversions from Google+ pages, Google Maps and/or listings ranking in the local packs? Hw are you measuring visits from listings ranking in the local packs?[mary bowling]
A: Have you seen the new click-to-call tracking in the GMB Dashboard?
Audience Question:
Q: is anyone relly seeing significant conversions from Google+ pages, Google Maps and/or listings ranking in the local packs? Hw are you measuring visits from listings ranking in the local packs?[mary bowling]
A: Oops sorry that answer was not for you. Screen jumped
Q: And is it sustainable . . .[Susan Staupe]
Q: https://www.google.com.sg/intl/en/ma...w/get-started/ For anyone looking for a trusted photographer. Hi im Cliff in UK ;-)[Cliff Grainger]
Audience Question:
Q: Can you incorporate a GMGV with service areas if a contractor has a home office and only works at clients locations?[Chris M]
A: Good Q - please start new thread in forum and we'll discuss
Q: Any potential negative from utilizing behavior signals could be used offensively (just saying).[Bryan Heckler]
Audience Question:
Q: what is GMBV[vickie griffith]
A: Business View: Re Business View - See Phil’s post: “10 Reasons to Get a Google Business View Photo Shoot” Link >>> 10 Reasons to Get a Google Business View Photo Shoot | LocalVisibilitySystem.com
Audience Question:
Q: how many people getting the direction to a business is important ?[Sumit Goswami]
A: Sounds like it could be a big factor
Q: For that day, sure, but for how long?[Dino Maiolo]
Audience Question:
Q: Wondering what the stikiness is of behavior factors. In other words, if a lot of peole click on your site one day, how long will that site beneift from that activity?[Dino Maiolo]
A: Darren from Whitespark did a big study on this. Slide deck is on my forum
Q: thanks.[Dino Maiolo]
Audience Question:
Q: I'm seeing lots of views of photos and posts in my GMB insights. I only have 55 followers on my Google+. How can I find out where and how these views are occuring?[Bob Bobster]
A: Can't really
Audience Question:
Q: Go Chargers![Dino Maiolo]
A: LOL Dino!
Audience Question:
Q: I'm seeing lots of views of photos and posts in my GMB insights. I only have 55 followers on my Google+. How can I find out where and how these views are occuring?[Bob Bobster]
A: Yo can see the breakdown in the GMB Dashboard
Audience Question:
Q: what is the forum link?[Andrew Anderson]
A: http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/
Q: Right, just trying to figure out where/how people are seeing these.[Bob Bobster]
Audience Question:
Q: what is the forum link?[Andrew Anderson]
A: http://www.localsearchforum.com/
Q: thanks[Andrew Anderson]
Audience Question:
Q: When Susan mention videos, is she talking about posting a video on G+ or adding to your YouTube tab on your G+ page?[Morry Mitrani]
A: Good question, I assume the YouTube Tab
Audience Question:
Q: higher number of business followers is a ranking factor ? [Sumit Goswami]
A: Not directly, no
Audience Question:
Q: higher number of business followers is a ranking factor ? [Sumit Goswami]
A: But I think any indication of popularity, extra activity, authority cummulatively can help gain trust and trust helps boost rank
Q: What are best practices to get your company's multiple locations showing up in the serps map with separate pins denoting each location?[Kawthar Suleiman]
Audience Question:
Q: losing most of the followers in short time can result in drop in local ranking ? [Sumit Goswami]
A: I don't think so
Audience Question:
Q: Do backlinks to a G+ back have any ranking effect?[Bill Verboom]
A: I think there is a post about this topic at Mike Blumenthal's blog
Q: add schema mark up where?[cassandra segoviano]
Q: local data higher in GWT helps GMB in getting higher rankings ? [Sumit Goswami]
Q: what to put in schema maek up[cassandra segoviano]
Audience Question:
Q: Can links in the description to specific services hinder the visibility of a listing? [Eva Judge]
A: I don't think so, no. It can help if done correctly.
Q: "I've tried nothing and I'm all out of ideas" -Clients[Kelsey Johnson]
Q: thank you all[Mukesh Kumar]
Q: when working with a brand with multiple locations - is there a particular source that you recommend for creating the proper landing pages for each location?[vickie griffith]
Audience Question:
Q: When they are talking about link building - are they talking about building links straight to the google + page?[Rachael Janssen]
A: No, to the website
Audience Question:
Q: where do you put the schema markup for GMB[Pete Kici]
A: Depends what type of schema. There are lots. Main one is to mark up NAP on the site. Footer and contact us.
Audience Question:
Q: building links for clients GMB listing is important ? can this hurt ? [Sumit Goswami]
A: Don't build. EARN. Make site/biz newsworthy. Sponsor local events etc
Audience Question:
Q: to what schema markup was Susan referring[Ernest Lambert]
A: Sorry I missed it. Too busy typing.
Audience Question:
Q: Thoughts on including hyperlinks within G+ description? [Thomas Smodic]
A: I'd tread carefully and not overdo it.
Q: pls clarify link building for G+ vs web site[Roy Mendoza]
Audience Question:
Q: Thoughts on including hyperlinks within G+ description? [Thomas Smodic]
A: Can be useful if done with the user experience in mind
Q: local silo's are good, but may give duplicate content issues if not done right[Chris M]
Q: What is best way to find those smaller local sites?[Alex Goode]
Q: link building? Are you linking the G+ page?[Mikkel Adams]
Q: Thanks![Thomas Smodic]
Q: is there any limit on number links I business description ? limit on number of words in business description ? [Sumit Goswami]
Audience Question:
Q: I have a business with 3 different branches with different service areas. I have my homepage, and then I have three unique landing pages for each one /locations/town-state Should I send links to each individual branch specific landing page or my home page?[Dominick Dalsanto]
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 have any resources for link building techniques?[Steve Q]
A: Moz has a great resource on their site
Audience Question:
Q: Do you have any resources for link building techniques?[Steve Q]
A: Bunch of good posts at the Local Search Forum - no time to find them all. Use search box
Q: thank YOU[lark miller]
Q: Great info! Thank you to the panelists![Cheryl Perkins]
Q: thanks panelists![Roy Mendoza]
Q: thanks[Craig Smith]
Q: another great session!! thank you again...[kaycie smith]
Q: Great info you all, thank you SOOO much!![Chris Agro]
Q: Good Webinar... thanks[Andrew Anderson]
Q: Thanks for putting this webinar on and for answering questions!!![Aaron Jurgens]
Q: Thanks, great presentation![Dino Basaldella]
Q: thank you very much[don doe]
Q: Great webinar - many, many thanks. And thanks also for this fabulous online Q section which really differentiates this webinar![Celeste Bishop]
Audience Question:
Q: This has been outstanding! Thank you VERY MUCH! I've just discovered Bright Local and very glad to have found you.[Mike Chapman]
A: Thanks for coming. Replay will be up in a few days here: InsideLocal: Expert Local Search Webinar Series | BrightLocal and here: Advanced Google+ Local Optimization Webinar - Slide deck and this QA chat will be posted at that forum link too.
Audience Question:
Q: Thanks, Linda for moderating. Thanks to panelists as well. [Jennifer Poole]
A: Thanks Jen
Q: I'd like to thank Greg's beard for attending too[Grant Barnard]
Q: Thank you both![Thomas Smodic]
Q: Linda Rocks![Celeste Bishop]
Q: Thanks guys - great webinar, very useful. Thanks Linda and Colan behind scenes too :)[Jan Kearney]
Q: Thank you Colin and Linda!![Chris Agro]
Q: thanks [Sumit Goswami]
Q: thank you[Margaret McSeveney]
Q: bye![Jenni Watkins]
Q: bye guys![Chris Agro]
Audience Question:
Q: thanks everyone![stephen wilson]
A: Thanks ALL OF YOU!
Q: thank you guys![Richard Cobbett]
Q: Thanks![Baltej Gill]
Q: what is the link to sign up for the next webinar?[Eric Reiss]
Q: thanks!:)[Kawthar Suleiman]
Q: bye bye[ian bady]
Q: Thanks everyone!![ashleigh fletcher]
Audience Question:
Q: Oh my gosh. It's over? I thought it was noon Pacific??? Is there a replay???[Adrienne DeVita]
A: Yes will be recorded. Replay will be up in a few days here: InsideLocal: Expert Local Search Webinar Series | BrightLocal and here: Advanced Google+ Local Optimization Webinar - Slide deck and this QA chat will be posted at that forum link too.
Q: Thanks guys, might have to rewatch as I am hardly awake - bit early on my side of the world. [Eva Judge]
=================================================
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.