Here is the much requested Q & A from the Troubleshooting Google Local Ranking Issues Webinar.
It's so long I had to do a separate post. Was 12 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
The 1st Q started us off with a bang! :p
Audience Question:
Q: what is love?[evan jerkunica]
A: (Linda) Love is local!
Audience Question:
Q: what is love?[evan jerkunica]
A: (Colan) What is love
Oh baby, don't hurt me
Don't hurt me no more
Oh, baby don't hurt me
Don't hurt me no more
I LOVED Colan's answer - what a kick!
Audience Question:
Q: Love the hat![Patricia Ptacek]
A: Santa's in the house! (Myles wore a Santa hat!)
Audience Question:
Q: .[stephen ocampo]
A: FYI all - Links to speakers in the Chat module
Audience Question:
Q: I wonder what specifics will be discussed about the duplicates listings?[Adrian Pascual]
A: Lots of different dupe issues but mainly how they can hurt ranking
Audience Question:
Q: Hello everypne, hoping this query can get looked at and be discussed if possible . I had 2 clients get bounced from the pack 7 in the last week (auto repair nashville Tn) and are now being outranked by shop's with G+ pages only that have faulty links in their "about us". any theories? thank you and I appreciate any input:)[Alex Alvarez]
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: I'd like to know strategy to fix/modify/update citations when there is no phycisal address citations already exist online - but most platforms require an address to claim them.[Zachary Palmer]
A: Phil Rozek has a great blog post on this subject.
Audience Question:
Q: so nothing specific about hw to tackle the removal of duplicates?[Adrian Pascual]
A: Yes probably that too. Not sure what all the speakers will share but I have a whole DUPE forum about all the issues. Google Duplicates & Merges
Audience Question:
Q: Linda is the best. :)[Marie Haynes]
A: You rock Marie!
Q: Nice hat, Myles![Theresa Wagar]
Audience Question:
Q: I havent seen phils blog post - can you add a url?[Zachary Palmer]
A: Don't have time to grab the link but it's about sites that allow you to hide your address.
Audience Question:
Q: I havent seen phils blog post - can you add a url?[Zachary Palmer]
A: Zack can you post this Q on the forum to remind me and we'll find link to give you there. No time to stop and search - too many Qs. Post here: Troubleshooting Google Local Ranking Issues - InsideLocal Webinar
Audience Question:
Q: what's S & D client? [Leonel Amador]
A: I didn't hear was busy with Qs. Could they have said SMB?
Audience Question:
Q: Do you recommend manual submission and optimize for local profiles or use a service such as Yext?[Michael Molinare]
A: both have benefits. It really depends in the scenario.
Audience Question:
Q: Do you recommend manual submission and optimize for local profiles or use a service such as Yext?[Michael Molinare]
A: Agree with Colan. Sometimes need one or the other but sometimes really need both.
Q: I used to be a Yext user but I'm moving away from it now. [Tim Colling]
Audience Question:
Q: Do you recommend manual submission and optimize for local profiles or use a service such as Yext?[Michael Molinare]
A: Most important thikng you can do is research Yext and look at your options
Q: there's a lot of feedback as if someone has their speakers instead of headset and it's feeding back through to us[Ellen Martin]
Audience Question:
Q: I'm moving away from Moz local also.[Tim Colling]
A: Why is that Tim?
Q: how do those marketing activities turn into backlinks?[jim heinz]
Q: I found that I had to manually monitor and correct the supposedly monitored citations that had become incorrect and that Yext and Moz Local were not really catching. [Tim Colling]
Q: MOz Local has been a very big let down for me.[Zachary Palmer]
Audience Question:
Q: Have anyone else had bad experiences with Yext? They've lied to us about a few things, so I don't really care much for the service.[Colby Howell]
A: Colby, I haven't used them myself.
Audience Question:
Q: When is Brightlocal incorporating the new Google Maps for tracking the local rankings?[Vijay Marathe]
A: It sounds like it's coming soon.
Q: What tool?[Allan Fine]
Q: whats penquin tool[pete kici]
Q: penquin tool?[Anthony Shields]
Q: Thank You[Jenn Gregory]
Q: she panguin tool?[Allan Fine]
Q: Is there a direct correlation of Google Maps search results and the Map pack results when organic searching?[Colby Howell]
Q: URL?[Allan Fine]
Q: or if one listing is penalized - are they all penalized?[Zachary Palmer]
Q: Yext was probably working for you, but maybe you missunderstood the services offered[Ryan DeVaul]
Audience Question:
Q: What tool?[Allan Fine]
A: Do a search for Google Penguin tool. I thikn it's called Baracudda....
Q: Thanks![Andrea Fine]
Q: thanks.[Anthony Shields]
Audience Question:
Q: how do you know if you have a manual penalty in Webmaster Tools?[Sean Clark]
A: You will have a message directly in the dashboard.
Q: Moz Local vs Yext: it takes a few days to publish the citation, where with Moz Local it can take 3 months[E.Dieter Martin]
Audience Question:
Q: If a business has multiple locations and one GWT account - how can you identify when a listing has been manually penalized? Does it list each listing individually in GWT?[Zachary Palmer]
A: Manual penalties only apply to the website.
Audience Question:
Q: Where can I find the Penguin tool Mary is talking about?[Andrea Fine]
A: I think it's called Panguin or something. No time to search right now.
Audience Question:
Q: Mary what P tool are you refering to? [Fredrick Thompson]
A: Think it's Panguin or something like that
Audience Question:
Q: Mary what P tool are you refering to? [Fredrick Thompson]
A: Panguin Tool | Technology by Barracuda Digital
Audience Question:
Q: what is the link for the pinguin toll Mary is talking about?[Derrick O'Keefe]
A: Panguin Tool | Technology by Barracuda Digital
Audience Question:
Q: Re the penalty…you may not always have a message. But, if you do have a penalty you will see the penalty in Webmaster Tools under Search Traffic --> Manual Actions. Also…important to know that Penguin or Panda issues won't show there as they're algorithmic and not a manual penalty.[Marie Haynes]
A: Thanks Marie. Great info!
Audience Question:
Q: if we have two offices and only one phone number for both, how can we get better local ranking for both[jim heinz]
A: Ideally should have 2 numbers.
Q: Can only choose one for the poll question[Chris Ratchford]
Q: We can only select one answer.[Janelle Gilbert]
Audience Question:
Q: How can an un optimized business / unclaimed business on Google Local pack outrank a fully built profile?[Jenni Watkins]
A: age of listing is a common reason
Q: can only select one on the poll.[Craig Backus]
Audience Question:
Q: How can an un optimized business / unclaimed business on Google Local pack outrank a fully built profile?[Jenni Watkins]
A: Lots of reasons it can happen. Sometimes it's age of listing OR site it's linked to OR source of original listing.
Audience Question:
Q: Poll asks for 2 issues but we can only pick one. Might want to fix for next time?[Thomas Smodic]
A: Thanks for feedback!
Audience Question:
Q: I'd like to know how best to rank a client for different regions of the same city when he has one biz address[Chris Traynor]
A: Well optimized Location pages
Audience Question:
Q: Does driving directions and/or reviews factor into local pack rank/placement?[Jenni Watkins]
A: Both do to some degree - not the main ranking factor but are 2 small pieces of the puzzle
Audience Question:
Q: Is there a direct correlation of Google Maps search results and the Map pack results when organic searching?[Colby Howell]
A: Sometimes but not always
Audience Question:
Q: Is there a direct correlation of Google Maps search results and the Map pack results when organic searching?[Colby Howell]
A: Depends which maps. New maps yes. Classic maps NO - it still uses the OLD pre-pigeon algo so things don't match
Q: Yeah, the mis alignment of new and old maps is driving me mad[Colby Howell]
Audience Question:
Q: When will Google start to enforce the one word descriptor in the name?[Jenni Watkins]
A: It's really hard to say. I've already started to see Google make automated edits in the GMB dash to correct titles.
Q: whoops, sorry, I'd like to know whether the panelists (1) charge for the audit they're talking about, and (2) give the client a document with the audit results before they have been paid anything by the client.[Tim Colling]
Audience Question:
Q: When you say Location pages are you referring to website location pages or separate G+ Pages for the 7-pack?[Chris Traynor]
A: Website
Audience Question:
Q: Will profiles lose rank for using the one word descriptor - i.e. - city?[Jenni Watkins]
A: I doubt it. Unless it's MAJOR spammy
Audience Question:
Q: What kind of pricing structure to the people charge?[Allan Fine]
A: Q is kinda like how much do you chg to build a house. Depends. In our case depends on what services you add, how you package etc. Consultants Corner has tons of posts where Local SEOs discuss what they charge: Consultant's Corner
Audience Question:
Q: Ah yes of course, you would need a separate address for every G Biz page[Chris Traynor]
A: Nailed it!
Q: And phone number![Thomas Smodic]
Audience Question:
Q: Where can we check those process or the workflow?[Ayman Ajmy]
A: Here is a great troubleshooting/local audit type post from Phil: “Every Local SEO Diagnostic You’ll Ever Need to Know (Plus Some)” Link >>> Every Local SEO Diagnostic You’ll Ever Need to Know (Plus Some) | LocalVisibilitySystem.com
Audience Question:
Q: Will all the links from the chat room be available on Friday?[Casey Cuene]
A: Yes will be recorded. Replay will be up in a few days here: InsideLocal: Expert Local Search Webinar Series | BrightLocal and here: Troubleshooting Google Local Ranking Issues - InsideLocal Webinar - Slide deck and this QA chat will be posted at that forum link too.
Audience Question:
Q: I seem to have problems with NEW businesses showing up on maps if they are service area businesses, using a PO box as address[E.Dieter Martin]
A: PO Boxes aren't permitted accrding to the guidelines
Audience Question:
Q: Will all the links from the chat room be available on Friday?[Casey Cuene]
A: I usually post the QA - but I'll try to remember to post the links I'm sharing in Chat too. Will be here: Troubleshooting Google Local Ranking Issues - InsideLocal Webinar
Audience Question:
Q: What do you think about creating optimized pages for neighborhood locations? Google says that these are considered "gateway pages" but some other sites (like Search Engine Land) say that such practice is acceptable as long as content is high quality. What is your opinion?[Sergey Lucktinov]
A: If it's high quality and done with the consumer in mind and will be useful to the consumer, you should be fine
Audience Question:
Q: what tools do they use for their audits?[Derrick O'Keefe]
A: I'm not sure what each speaker uses but see last couple links in chat for great ideas.
Q: HONEST CLIENTS? What's that?[Colby Howell]
Q: what kind of specific link building reports do you provide clients?[Zachary Palmer]
Q: Moz tools VS WooRank ?[Shay Navon]
Audience Question:
Q: the listings got verified with PO Box![E.Dieter Martin]
A: They get verified all the time, true. But in the long run it's risky.
Q: I have always wondered what percentage of error reduction a non-subscriber to Yext power listings would have achieved.. or what would be a acceptable error percentage on the Yext tool i should be satisfied with considering it is almost impossible to get citations on some directories without the Power listings[Vijay Marathe]
Audience Question:
Q: Thank you so much Linda. I really appreciate the mention.[Marie Haynes]
A: You're welcome. You are the leader in link penalties in my book - err... everyone's book. :-)
Q: bad*[Adrian Pascual]
Audience Question:
Q: :)[Marie Haynes]
A: Agree 100%
Audience Question:
Q: Wih the recent update, aren't PO Boxes and Virtual offices a nad idea and frowned upon?[Adrian Pascual]
A: Yes, they are both against Google's Quality Guidelines
Audience Question:
Q: Wih the recent update, aren't PO Boxes and Virtual offices a nad idea and frowned upon?[Adrian Pascual]
A: Totally
Q: Can someone get Myles a headset? (that echo)[Bryan Heckler]
Q: The echo is back again, and happening frequently. Just letting you know...[Tim Colling]
Audience Question:
Q: As far as the audit process, do you do an audit before having the client sign the contract? Allowing you to make the decision on whther or not it is worth your effort to work with them?[Christa Morgante]
A: Great Q. If it was me I would just do a mini audit before initial consult to get snapshot of the issues
Q: Thanks![Christa Morgante]
Q: i don't get it, why does it matter for a service area business? I understand for brick & mortar, but for a house cleaner?[E.Dieter Martin]
A: Because of abuse. Too many are not even located in city and just break rules setting up fake locations
Audience Question:
Q: Can we dive into practitioner listing issue? Or maybe give a resource where we can learn more of the details of doing it right?[Theresa Wagar]
A: Re Practitioner Dupes: My solution is to "minimize" the practitioner listings so they don't impact ranking on the main practice listing. Many consultants use this strategy successfully and Google even put their stamp of approval on it and said it was a good solution.
“Overcoming Google Practitioner Duplicate Listing Problems for Dentists, Drs, Attorneys” Link >>> http://localsearchforum.catalystemar...-dentists.html
Audience Question:
Q: But would you give the client that mini audit report as a document? Or would you just discuss it with them, perhaps using a screen share program?[Tim Colling]
A: I'd do screen share so they see all the stuff you've uncovered - you explain high points but they know there is a lot more info you have. But never just give to them at least until after contract and payment.
Audience Question:
Q: do unverigeid dublicates's created by Google count as duplicates? and create a penilty?[Ryan DeVaul]
A: Yes they count but no they can't lead to a penalty. The penalty can play into it if you have verified dups in your dashboard.
Audience Question:
Q: do unverigeid dublicates's created by Google count as duplicates? and create a penilty?[Ryan DeVaul]
A: Yes, not a dash penalty BUT they hurt ranking.
Audience Question:
Q: For service businesses, I found that the PIN code won't be delivered to the street address if you don't check the box that says the business serves customers at the location. Once verified, you have to uncheck that box if they do not in fact servce customers there. [Thomas Smodic]
A: No it's a display problem. Need to hide address - It's just the PREVIEW of the mail you'll get the address is missing BUT on the actual mail it will be correct. It's a bug.
Audience Question:
Q: There's another kind of duplicate listing issue that most people don't talk about: Facebook dupes. Facebook takes it upon itself to create duplicate company pages and it's important to get them removed. It's not easy to get them removed, though.[Tim Colling]
A: Yes, they can be a pain to get rid of
Audience Question:
Q: IS there a faster or better way to deal with unverified dublicates than having Google support call, and getting them to merge?[Ryan DeVaul]
A: Map Maker and "Report a Problem" are other options.
Q: Google support is not very useful[pete kici]
Audience Question:
Q: IS there a faster or better way to deal with unverified dublicates than having Google support call, and getting them to merge?[Ryan DeVaul]
A: No that's currently the best/fastest. You can also report right on the listing but from there who knows if it will get done.
Audience Question:
Q: It's a bug for sure. I called Support and brought it up to them. Hope they fix it[Thomas Smodic]
A: They've known for a long time. Hopefully they'll get it sorted.
Q: Besdies calling Google[Christa Morgante]
Audience Question:
Q: How do you suppress dups in Google? Or on your own? - without using Yext or another submission tool[Christa Morgante]
A: Try minimizing if practitioner dupes http://localsearchforum.catalystemar...-dentists.html
Q: For duplicate map listings, I was told to report them on the map as the best way to get those off the map. [Thomas Smodic]
Audience Question:
Q: In my industry we frequently acquire businesses and change the names. Do old G+ with the old business name count as duplicates?[evan jerkunica]
A: Not really a dupe, but rather an old lisitng that should be marked closed
Audience Question:
Q: how do you get in touch with google support? is there a link to contacts somewhere? i can never find[Suzen Pettit]
A: https://support.google.com/business/...9639&contact=1
Audience Question:
Q: how do you get in touch with google support? is there a link to contacts somewhere? i can never find[Suzen Pettit]
A: In GMB dash, contact us link lets you call support
Q: How long do map maker changes take to get instated? Also, does having an older or special account matter when using it?[Colby Howell]
A: Depends on how fast the edit gets reviewed. Few minutes to a few days.
Audience Question:
Q: is mapmaker a good tool to find the "hidden"/automatic ones?[andrew Mendel]
A: Yes it will show some dupes that are hidden on new maps and classic maps
Q: If I do run a business which serves for ex UAE and KSA, should I have 2 G local pages? or what's the best option here?[Ayman Ajmy]
Q: Can you go into depth on how citations affect the Google plus search[Allan Fine]
Q: Last time I checked. Yext doesn't suppress practitioner dupes without a signed document from the client. Is it worth it?[Kenji Crosland]
Q: Also does anybody have any insight on why certain Google plus results pop for multiple key phrases and certain ones don't in the same industry in the same city[Allan Fine]
Audience Question:
Q: does brightlocal have a dup locater[Derrick O'Keefe]
A: Not currently per se
Audience Question:
Q: How do we mark a business we acquired but don't control as closed?[evan jerkunica]
A: Use the "Report a Problem" feature.
Q: Can you please clarify[Allan Fine]
Q: mapmaker a good tool to find the "hidden"/automatic ones[Allan Fine]
Audience Question:
Q: once you notify google its a dupe - does it get deleted? [andrew Mendel]
A: Depends there are lots of types of dupes. If practitioner dupe no they won't delete or merge any more
Audience Question:
Q: once you notify google its a dupe - does it get deleted? [andrew Mendel]
A: it depends. they may merge it or they may delete it.
Audience Question:
Q: Does map maker treat service area businesses differently?[Colby Howell]
A: Hidden Address listings typically don't appear on Map Maker.
Audience Question:
Q: What are you talking about when you talk about Map maker[Allan Fine]
A: Yes you can't even use MM if address hidden - you'll get error
Audience Question:
Q: What are you talking about when you talk about Map maker[Allan Fine]
A: OOps sorry copied wrong answer to wrong person
Audience Question:
Q: Can embedding Google+ reviews on our client's website help with rankings?[Alex Alvarez]
A: I've never tested it from a ranking point of view. It can certainly make the page more engaging and attractive.
Audience Question:
Q: that's exactly the answer I needed. Thank you.[Colby Howell]
A: Welcome!
Q: Is there a way to report an old listing as 'relocated' rather than closed.. then redirecting to the correct, active local page? I have tried doing this through map maker and through report a problem, but it seems this is something Google automatically does once they complete the review process?[Christa Morgante]
Audience Question:
Q: wouldnt Google penalize and SEO company leaving reviews on a clients GMB listing?[Ryan DeVaul]
A: No penalty but the reviews may get filtered.
Q: does anybody have any insight on why certain Google plus results pop for multiple key phrases and certain ones don't in the same industry in the same city[Allan Fine]
Q: Don't take Google reviews from Google and put them on your website! they remove the reviews from counting towards your star counter![Colby Howell]
Q: From experience I think a lot of dupes can result from a biz setting up their internet and/or alarm companies. Typically they use an abbreviated name of the biz for the account name. That combined with an internet number that is released can really complicate NAP consistency. Is there a way to communicate with data providers like Verizon to prevent this account information from interrupting a biz NAP consistency?[Amber Robinson]
Audience Question:
Q: Can you go into depth on how citations affect the Google plus search[Allan Fine]
A: 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: >>> Troubleshooting Google Local Ranking Issues - InsideLocal Webinar
Audience Question:
Q: Where do you go to brush up on the guidelines. Newbie[Fredrick Thompson]
A: https://support.google.com/business/#topic=4539639
Q: if its one location how would that fly with google? [andrew Mendel]
Audience Question:
Q: What about using a local mial box address if the client does not have an actually office. [Bill Douglass]
A: Nope not allowed.
Audience Question:
Q: What about using a local mial box address if the client does not have an actually office. [Bill Douglass]
A: Not Kosher. Need to use a physical business address.
Q: audio issues!!!![andrew Mendel]
Q: Mary's mic has had some echo issues. Not sure if anyone else is getting the same[Thomas Smodic]
Q: Mary's audio is veklempt again[Tim Colling]
Q: crap, we're missing good stuff[Kimbers Sheppard]
Q: cannot understand what she is saying[Toni Mills]
Q: Does Bright Local support SEOs working on Arabic Market like Egypt and UAE?[Ayman Ajmy]
Q: yes Myles - bad audio[andrew Mendel]
Q: Mary's computer has been drinking[Colby Howell]
Q: its terrible[scott saunders]
Q: please stop her, lol[Logan Pence]
Q: audio is awful[joann mclellan]
Q: Sound fading in and out[Ed Burckhardt]
Q: and has been since you started, she has lots of feedback[scott saunders]
Q: if she mutes her computer it might help[Carol Sanger]
Audience Question:
Q: Adding hyperlinks to your website in the business description in Google+, is this a ranking factor?[Anthony Shields]
A: GMB Description not a ranking factor - BUT can get you penalized if do it wrong. Re links I'd be careful re anchor and don't overdo it.
Q: thanks.[Anthony Shields]
Audience Question:
Q: Do realtors who are working for a brokerage count as duplicate practitioners?[Marie Haynes]
A: They would be allowed to have their own pages.
Audience Question:
Q: Do realtors who are working for a brokerage count as duplicate practitioners?[Marie Haynes]
A: Yes allowed BUT it can hurt ranking and the agents may outrank main practice if not managed right
Q: Thx. David often gets calls for the main brokerage. I think Google thinks that we are the brokerage.[Marie Haynes]
Q: How can we get a landing page report?[Ryan DeVaul]
Audience Question:
Q: Practioner Pages -- panelist are saying not to build these listings for all 50 attorneys at a pactice (for example) -- what if Google creates all of these on their own, which has been my experience - my assumption is to claim verify and minimize their impact against our main listing like explained above, but it's still very frustrating having to deal with these pages we never created but now have to 'manage'[Christa Morgante]
A: Re Practitioner Dupes: My solution is to "minimize" the practitioner listings so they don't impact ranking on the main practice listing. Many consultants use this strategy successfully and Google even put their stamp of approval on it and said it was a good solution.
“Overcoming Google Practitioner Duplicate Listing Problems for Dentists, Drs, Attorneys” Link >>> http://localsearchforum.catalystemar...-dentists.html
Audience Question:
Q: I have a client who has disappeared comeletly from local - thye used to have prominance - yet they have good organic rankings. I called G Local Support and they said they were good from their end - does this mean no penalty has been given for local?[Celeste Bishop]
A: Here is a post that goes into detail about how to “Troubleshoot Rank High in Organic but Drop out of the Pack” Includes a GREAT post by Phil Rosek Link >>> http://localsearchforum.catalystemar...-drop-out.html
Q: Thx - i did all of that and they are good on those items.[Celeste Bishop]
Audience Question:
Q: Is there any other tool other than Google Map Maker to find a local penalty?[Jenni Watkins]
A: You have to do a bunch of troubleshooting this post explains http://localsearchforum.catalystemar...practices.html
Audience Question:
Q: Might be a silly question, but what is Google Universe Search?[Rachel Rossicone]
A: Universal
Audience Question:
Q: I had the same question - are they saying Google Universale Search which is really... google.com search bar?[Zachary Palmer]
A: I think that's it
Q: still a lot of feedback on Mary[scott saunders]
Audience Question:
Q: is there a way to identify whether google sees a listing as a dup when it is actually not a dupe?[Zachary Palmer]
A: Not that I know of. If it's a dup, it's a dup.
Audience Question:
Q: what about Yahoo dupes, why can we not do anything???[andrew Mendel]
A: Yahoo has a lot of catching up to do...
Audience Question:
Q: What do you mean by one word descriptor?[Sergey Lucktinov]
A: USED to be able to add one KW or city to name in GMB - no longer can with new guidelines. Name needs to be real name only.
Audience Question:
Q: When its not a dup - can google still see it as a dup?[Zachary Palmer]
A: Can you give an example?
Audience Question:
Q: When its not a dup - can google still see it as a dup?[Zachary Palmer]
A: Hard to know what you are referring to in general . Post in forum with example so we can get more specific with answer
Audience Question:
Q: a question regarding Pigeon Update - does everyone still experience constant changes in the 1st page local pack?[Elena Hristova]
A: For many searches, yes we do. But not as much as five, six weeks ago.
Audience Question:
Q: a question regarding Pigeon Update - does everyone still experience constant changes in the 1st page local pack?[Elena Hristova]
A: It's settled down a lot from what I see - but still more volatile than it used to be
Audience Question:
Q: so when it comes to yahoo they are still in the cave man days and we just have to deal withit?[andrew Mendel]
A: they seem to be coming along, but slowly. The support seems to be virtually gone unless you do a paid listing.
Audience Question:
Q: my business is out of my home. does this mean i will get a gmb penalty? [Robin Mordini]
A: No you can totally have listing. Just need to be sure address is hidden on listing. Post in forum if don't know how and we'll help
Audience Question:
Q: these new guidelines came out today?[Colby Howell]
A: 2 weeks ago or so TONS info here http://localsearchforum.catalystemar...-business.html
Audience Question:
Q: ummm... two different businesses (with two different names) appear in search results when I search for a specific business name.[Zachary Palmer]
A: If they are different businesses with different names those aren't dups.
Audience Question:
Q: how about missing maps, are there more search terms with no map compared to before the pigeon update?[Elena Hristova]
A: Yes - especially real estate KWs and a few others
Audience Question:
Q: how about missing maps, are there more search terms with no map compared to before the pigeon update?[Elena Hristova]
A: Yes, Real Estate vertical was hit hard.
Q: RE:USED to be able to add one KW or city to name in GMB - no longer can with new guidelines. Name needs to be real name only.[joann mclellan]
Audience Question:
Q: You can't insert keywords in GMB description?[Sergey Lucktinov]
A: You can, but it's a violation.
Q: I have found if a company changes its name and website address, but not address or phone number, this is difficult to fix on listings. Some local citation listings will not allow a company/website name change and do not want to show the business as close of business. Any suggestions on best way to handle company name/website address changes?[Kayla Chalmers]
Audience Question:
Q: You can't insert keywords in GMB description?[Sergey Lucktinov]
A: Yes but if you overdo it or espec if repeat city, can cause a rank penalty that can last for 5 months. Have helped lots of consultants with this - can be a biggie
Audience Question:
Q: If google changes the name on a listing to get rid of a decriptior, and citations are built with that decriptior, will all of the citations need to be updated? Or will google match the Name with and without the decriptor[Ryan DeVaul]
A: I think they can match the name. I wouldn't spend time updating all the citations in most cases.
Q: should we go back to compay names and remove city name for Google+ Pages?[joann mclellan]
Audience Question:
Q: But what is the alternative to the use of a PO Box?[E.Dieter Martin]
A: Must use home address if don't have office and hide address on listing.
Audience Question:
Q: But what is the alternative to the use of a PO Box?[E.Dieter Martin]
A: The actual business address..
Audience Question:
Q: is there anything that can be done when G takes a local search and decides it's a brand search? eg - a business has named itself "geolocation + keyword search"?[margaret o]
A: Use the "feedback" link and send Google a report. That's the best bet currently.
Q: If client does not want website for business and wants to rely on facebook link, how does that impact?[Michael Molinare]
Audience Question:
Q: should the gmb business profile descrition be original content - not just copying and pasting from homepage? [Robin Mordini]
A: as a best practice I would say yes
Audience Question:
Q: are there also a lot of missing maps for long tail keywords which used to have maps before? And is it again mostly for real estate or any type of business[Elena Hristova]
A: Yep, we are seeing this in several industries.
Q: This has been excellent. Thank you for doing this![Marie Haynes]
Audience Question:
Q: How large of a radius is good for a SAB, Does population affect the ideal radius?[Ryan DeVaul]
A: 2o mile radius best. BUT none of those setting affect ranking. If set wide you won't rank in those outlying areas
Audience Question:
Q: Was this webinar scheduled to end at 3pm est? or did I mix up my timezones?[Thomas Smodic]
A: Yes we are running over. Will be recorded if you need to go
Q: Troubleshooting Google Local Ranking Issues - InsideLocal Webinar
[Allan Fine]
Q: Sounds great. Have to run over to another meeting. Thanks![Thomas Smodic]
Audience Question:
Q: Thank you to the panelists and to Linda, Colin and Myles for another great webinar. This is incredibly useful and helpful.[Tim Colling]
A: You're welcome Tim!
Audience Question:
Q: Thank you to the panelists and to Linda, Colin and Myles for another great webinar. This is incredibly useful and helpful.[Tim Colling]
A: Welcome Tim!
Audience Question:
Q: How do we post here?[Allan Fine]
A: You just did
Q: lol epic[Chris Traynor]
Audience Question:
Q: How do we post here?[Allan Fine]
A: Post at the forum? Need to register 1st then can post
Q: What did Gyi first say for his answer?[Kristen eichmann]
Audience Question:
Q: Any sugestions other than AdWords that might help a client rank across 100 miles or so?[Ryan DeVaul]
A: Ya Adwords OR organic
Q: Does Gyi actually take this approach in his agency? I can't imagine him being able to produce hyper local content at scale?[Joshua Mackens]
Audience Question:
Q: Hi What's the forum url please? Thanks![J C]
A: http://www.localsearchforum.com
Q: Thanks! =0)[J C]
Audience Question:
Q: Hi What's the forum url please? Thanks![J C]
A: MAIN http://www.localsearchforum.com - this webinar: Troubleshooting Google Local Ranking Issues - InsideLocal Webinar
Audience Question:
Q: My name is Ryan BTW, this is my 3rd webinar. It has been great. I love these they have been helpfull and informative. Thanks eveyone involved![Ryan DeVaul]
A: Thanks Ryan! Glad you have found them helpful.
Audience Question:
Q: My name is Ryan BTW, this is my 3rd webinar. It has been great. I love these they have been helpfull and informative. Thanks eveyone involved![Ryan DeVaul]
A: Thanks Ryan, glad they are helpful to you!!
Audience Question:
Q: My name is Ryan BTW, this is my 3rd webinar. It has been great. I love these they have been helpfull and informative. Thanks eveyone involved![Ryan DeVaul]
A: OMG we totally said same thing again. CLONED me! ;-)
Audience Question:
Q: does Google punish using GIF's as profile photos? Why dont i see more GIF's as profile photos?[Ryan DeVaul]
A: Not that I've heard of
Q: for backlinks who is the top provider?[andrew Mendel]
Q: Can Mary give some examples of easy to get hyperfocuse links?[Eric Reiss]
Audience Question:
Q: Did Dev mean clicks to Google Plus Page or website?[joann mclellan]
A: I think he meant the Google+ Local page
Q: Totally agree with Mary! I see so many people who are afraid to do any linking. But, if it makes sense to be listed in a local directory, then do it. If it makes sense to trade links with an industry partner, that's ok. Penguin was designed to demote sites that are cheating intensely.[Marie Haynes]
Audience Question:
Q: What's unicorn linking structure?[Jannell Howell]
A: Will try to get Mary to answer in the forum here: Troubleshooting Google Local Ranking Issues - InsideLocal Webinar
Q: what is an efficient way for an SEO to accuire local links for a client?[Ryan DeVaul]
Q: my question 2..thanks!![Suzen Pettit]
Q: Thanks so much for a great webinar, y'all! I feel like I've learned more about local in the past 30 min than I have in the past 6 months. Cheers[Zach Doty]
Audience Question:
Q: what is dev basu company?[joann mclellan]
A: Dev Basu: SEO & Inbound Marketing Agency | Powered by Search
Q: Thank you very much :)[Martin Lloyd]
Q: Great webinar, thank you all and Merry Christmas to all![Ed Burckhardt]
=================================================
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.