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Dominating Google’s Search Results With Business Listings

Last time we were here we focused on how to use Google EAT to influence local relevance signals. This week we’re looking at securing multiple placements in page one of Google search results using local business listings, along with some other hot topics you might have missed.

Increasing Placement in Search Results With Citations

After a busy few days at the Association of Directory Publishers conference, we have returned with some real-world insights from successful directory owners across the country. The hot topic this year was online visibility for local businesses in search results. And many of the yellow pages owners that are now adding online services to their product offerings weren’t quite sure of the value of online business listings.

During one of the three presentations we delivered, we demonstrated how a business can take over three or more positions on page one of search results for long-tail keyword searches (like marble countertop installation) through building citations. No matter what the latest marketing trends may be it’s important to retain proven approaches, such as business listings for local businesses.

You may remember that we recently discussed running local presence audits. An audit is a good place to determine where a client is currently placing, and how citations can be used to gain a stronger foothold for their primary keywords. If you’re not sure just how visible online your clients are, run a free local visibility report today.

Top 4 Ways a Business Can Get Visibility in Multiple Positions in Page One of Search Results

So how can a business be featured multiple times for a search query with the help of citations? Well, local search results actually offer several opportunities for listings:

  • Google Business Profile (GBP) – Along with accurate business data, services, photos, and reviews, citations help a GBP feature in the local pack.
  • Business Website – A fully optimized website, including targeted keywords, location and service pages, will benefit from business mentions.
  • Social Media – Citations are not limited to directories only. A detailed listing on a prominent site like Facebook can lead to your profile getting listed in Google search.
  • Directory Listings – Directory sites are frequently found on Google for local searches, especially when the business’ description is well-optimized. Ensure your clients’ listings are found with a comprehensive, keyword-rich profile.

Dominating #Google’s Search Results With Business Listings by @BernieColeman via @Advice_Local #SEO
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Effective Local Management Tools for Marketers and Agencies

For a streamlined approach to local business marketing, the Advice Local partner dashboard is your number one business listing management tool. Try it today and access tools like GBP Sync, our Google Authority Score and online visibility reports. To get started, request a demo now or call (214) 310-1356 to learn more.

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Using Google EAT to Influence Local Relevance Signals

Last week we discussed the introduction of automatic updates to business hours on Google Business Profiles. This week we’re looking at Google’s growing local relevance signals, and why this makes Google EAT (expertise, authoritativeness and trustworthiness) more important than ever for a business’ Google Business Profile.

Are You Applying Google EAT to Clients’ Google Business Profiles?

We’ve talked with you quite a bit about adding EAT to your clients’ Google Business Profiles – and for good reason.

As Damian Rollison points out, Google uses the elements within a Google Business Profile (GBP) – such as services, photos and so on – to determine relevance. Other items, like GBP posts, are shown to also influence relevance.

These justifications (as many call them) are also influenced by services and information on the business’ website. We originally spotted this in 2019, and discussed here how you can help your local business clients influence the local pack by adding EAT to their Google Business Profiles – yes, referred to as Google My Business back then.

Local Search Relevance and Justifications

You may have noticed examples of justifications in local search results as well. Essentially, justifications are snippets of text that indicate why the Google Business Profile is being featured for a particular search query. Here are just a few examples of the reasons Google uses to justify a listing:

  • Provides – Examples of relevant services listed on a GBP.
  • In stock – Up-to-date record of available products at a client’s store.
  • Posts – A relevant offer taken from recent Google posts.
  • Their website mentions – Services taken from a business’ website.
  • Menu highlight – A specific type of food, such as pasta or pizza.
  • Reviews – A review snippet taken from a GBP review.

As you can see, Google is helping searchers determine why they might be interested in a business. Plus, for us as local marketers, this clearly demonstrates the need for a comprehensive Google Business Profile. For example, imagine a business that didn’t list all their services on their GBP or website. If Google cannot be certain that a business offers a particular service, that business likely will not be featured for the more specific searches.

But Google’s push to expand local search doesn’t end there. As Damian also points out, local search is beginning to merge with Google Shopping to offer more comprehensive and consumer-focused SERPs (search engine results pages). Thanks to improvements in Google’s visual recognition technology, relevant searches are likely to feature product offerings besides the usual business data.

At Advice Local, we’re heavily in favor of adding a wide variety of images to a business’ Google Business Profile. This strategy can certainly pay off for action-taking businesses, as Google showcases relevant products for targeted searches.

If you see elements like Google posts, products and service details as being simply “optional extras,” it’s time to rethink this. It’s obvious that Google is offering an extensive local search experience that delivers more for consumers than ever before. And while Google is using AI to do much of the work, you can make things easier by creating up-to-date and complete Google Business Profiles for each of your clients.

Local Ranking Factors and Search Visibility

We’ve recently mentioned that several ranking factors influence local pack results. For a quick reminder, we’re talking about relevance, proximity and prominence. Ideally, a business should satisfy all three factors – be appropriate for the search query, located close to the target destination – and recognized as a high-quality business.

As you well know, local pack and map results are customized for each user. Since you can’t be certain which of the three factors mentioned above will win out, what do you do? The answer here is to make use of all available elements in a GBP, along with maintaining a business website, continuing to add fresh Google posts – and underpinning these factors with Google EAT.


Using #Google EAT to Influence Local Relevance Signals by @BernieColeman @Advice_Local #SEO #GMB #GBP
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Our Listing Management Tools Are the Answer

For an easy, efficient approach to helping local business clients stand out in search results, the Advice Local partner dashboard is the solution. Through the dashboard you can make use of local business listings, our Google Business Profile tools such as GBP Sync and the Google Authority Score, online visibility reports and much more. To get started, request a demo today by calling (214) 310-1356.

The post Using Google EAT to Influence Local Relevance Signals appeared first on Advice Local.

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How to Reduce the Risk of Bad Data From Google Auto-Updates

Last week we looked at the key role that prominence plays in local search pack visibility. This week we’re focusing on reducing the risk of bad data from Google’s new machine learning auto-updates.

Google Will Start Predicting Business Hours Using AI and Machine Learning

As a refresher, Google recently shared how they will begin using their AI and machine learning to update the business hours for local businesses on their Google Business Profiles (GBP). Yes, a self-updating map is here.

So this is just a small update, right? Absolutely not, as according to Google there will be an estimated 20 million businesses due to see their business hours automatically adjusted within the next six months.

Mike Blumenthal addressed this last week on the Local U podcast, sharing tips on how businesses can prevent Google’s AI from making these updates.

Best Ways to Avoid Google’s Automated Updates on a Google Business Profile

  1. Make sure the business hours are correct on the business’ website.
  2. Keep the hours updated on the GBP, including times when the business will be closed for holidays.
  3. Ensure citations and directory listings on other sites have the correct business information and business hours.

We agree totally with Mike’s tips. As a business listing management company that makes it easy to keep the information on these sites accurate and updated, you can see why we might be partial to them.

For proof of the value of these tips, you need only look at Google themselves. In the announcement for the self-updating map, Google made it clear that their systems analyze when the business profile was last updated and the hours the business website lists. Therefore, by simply following the three steps, there will be no reason for Google’s algorithms to intervene.

Directory Listings Have More Influence Than You May Think

While directory listings don’t have the same amount of influence they did years ago in SERPS (search engine results pages), they still hold quite a bit of influence. Yes, consumers trust them, and Google trusts them as well.

We actually shared an example of bad data and showed how it was impacting a business’ GBP. The business’ issue was tied to the directory listings reflecting bad data. As a response to this, Google kept changing the business’ address to an old address. This example alone demonstrates that Google trusts business listings as a data source.

Taking the steps above that Mike has recommended is a good start. Another way to ensure Google is fully aware that a business’ Google Business Profile is accurate (and doesn’t require the help of their AI) is to use the other features available within the Google Business Profile. These elements include GBP posts, questions and answers and more.

Auto-Reject GBP Public Updates Through the Advice Local Dashboard

In addition, we recommend that partners use the feature available to them within the Advice Local partner dashboard to auto-reject public edits to a business’ GBP. Using this feature will help you ensure that others cannot make edits to your clients’ Google Business Profiles that are not accurate.


How to Reduce the Risk of Bad Data From #Google Auto-Updates by @BernieColeman via @Advice_Local #SEO
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Listing Management Can Help

Not only does our dashboard enable you to auto-reject public edits, it also provides a Google Authority Score, online visibility reports and much more. To get started, request a demo today or call (214) 310-1356 to learn more.

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These Key Factors Can Influence the Local Pack in Many Ways

Last week we detailed how to perform a simple local presence audit for your local clients. This week we’re looking at prominence, and how it can help businesses get greater visibility in Google’s local pack.

New SOCi Study Looks Into Local Ranking Factors

Remember when Search Engine Journal brought up the relevance between prominence and EAT (expertise, authoritativeness and trustworthiness) a while back? Around that time, we covered how businesses can apply EAT to Google Business Profiles (GBP) to win in the Vicinity update.

Well, last week Damian Rollison on Street Fight shared a sneak peek into a study completed by SOCi that shows how prominence can win out over relevance and proximity in the local pack (in some cases). The study uncovered a surprising data point in the top 20 local search rankings – many of the lower positioned listings actually had a greater volume of positive reviews than even the third position listing in the local pack.

The Key Ranking Factors for the Local Pack

A quick refresher – local search listings are primarily determined by three ranking factors.

  • Relevance – How applicable a listing is believed to be to a user’s search intent.
  • Proximity – The distance between the searcher and the business location.
  • Prominence – Positive brand recognition corresponding to Google EAT factors.

So, if listings further down in maps have a greater number of reviews than others in more prominent positions, it could imply that a local pack listing within the top three positions is less important than previously thought. However, a deeper analysis of the study showed more complicated factors at work, and we’re looking forward to seeing the complete SOCi study.

For each local search term, Google has only a limited inventory of listings that meet the three criteria of relevance, proximity and relevance. When the options are exhausted, the search results must sacrifice one of these factors to some degree.

In light of the Vicinity update, it may be somewhat surprising that prominence has emerged as an increasingly relevant factor. In practice, this means that the proximity to a searcher or relevance to the search query will begin to loosen. However, prominence (the number of positive reviews and brand sentiment) will remain high.

And what’s the reason listings further down the page often have more positive reviews? Well, Street Fight points out that these listings may not be perfectly located or relevant to the search query being monitored, but they are often the prime listing for a fairly similar query.

It appears Google is willing to reward the exceptional local businesses in one specific vertical with search visibility in an additional vertical (even if it’s less relevant) if they have a higher prominence. So for example, say you help your moving company client become the primary listing in the local pack. This client could then also be featured in the top 10 for storage companies. And while local businesses want positions one through three, even businesses in position 10 can win if they feature across many search terms.

This brings us back to Google EAT. With prominence becoming a critical element for local businesses and their search visibility, quality brands with respected names and positive reviews will prosper. To achieve this, local businesses need to work on showcasing their expertise, authoritativeness and trustworthiness in everything they do.


These Key Factors Can Influence the Local Pack in Many Ways by @BernieColeman via @Advice_Local #SEO
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Try Our Local Business Listing Tools Today

If you want to stay on top of your clients’ Google Business Profiles, we have features such as GBP Sync, Auto Reject of GBP Updates, the Google Authority Score and more. Our dashboard provides a range of tools to help you better serve your local business clients. Request a demo now to learn more. Call (214) 310-1356 for help today.

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How to Conduct Stress-Free Local Presence Audits

Last week we rounded up the most relevant and insightful digital marketing topics of the month to end the 1st quarter of 2022. As we move into April, it’s time to shift the focus to a process every agency should be thinking about – local presence audits.

Are You Running Local Presence Audits on Your Clients?

It doesn’t seem that long ago that we were making our digital marketing New Year’s resolutions, but now we’re officially into the second quarter of the year. As we have mentioned before, you should perform audits of your clients’ local presence at least quarterly. So with that in mind, we wanted to offer a straightforward guide to running local clients’ audits.

Local Presence Factors for Analysis

Before we get into the main areas where a strong local presence will deliver the best results, we need to consider which factors are worth analyzing. Here are some examples to consider for your audit.

  • Goals – What goals did you and your clients set, and have the milestones been reached?
  • Reporting – Do you have a solid reporting system to record reach, engagement, conversions and more?
  • Tools – Could you have improved efficiency and ROI using dedicated local presence management tools?
  • Interaction – Are you interacting with audiences through review responses, social media and questions and answers?

To get the most from a local presence audit, it’s worth limiting your areas of focus to the most important ranking signals. You may recall that we recently covered what to prioritize in the Local Search Ranking Factors report.

1. Google Business Profile

The report for 2021 recommended prioritizing Google Business Profile (GBP) optimization to maximize visibility in Google. This is easily achievable with some simple tweaks to your clients’ profiles. You can start by setting up primary and additional business categories, adding images and videos – and writing an engaging business listing description.

If your audit concludes that these steps have been completed, some more advanced options include using attributes to target non-traditional verticals and creating additional listings for multi-location businesses.

2. Bing & Yelp

With Google being the natural priority for local businesses, an audit will likely find areas for diversification. Remember, there are many local listings platforms with traffic and customer potential, so why not include them in a marketing campaign?

At Advice Local, we include Bing submissions and Yelp public edits with no additional fees, making it easy to develop optimized listings. Of course, the consistency of name, address and phone number (NAP) data will impact results across all the major platforms, so an audit needs to find any discrepancies and adjust them.

3. Online Listings

While platforms like Google, Bing and Yelp may get much of the attention, there’s a whole world of online listings that you need to consider. We have also discussed a study from Moz that found local businesses achieved improved results when they syndicated data to a wide network rather than a small handful of popular platforms.

The concept of data amplification is at the heart of this approach. By partnering with Advice Local, agencies can ensure their clients are accessible on directories, mapping apps, GPS navigation solutions and voice assistants.

4. Social Media

While the Local Search Ranking Factors report removed social signals as a ranking factor, it still plays other important roles. Sites like Facebook are important listings platforms, with the ability to include NAP data, customer reviews and more. Due to these factors helping bolster a business’ Google EAT (expertise, authoritativeness and trustworthiness), it is worth including social media within any audit.

5. Website Location Pages

Building website location pages helps deliver targeted traffic using location-specific long-tail keywords. This approach can be useful for multi-location companies, but should also be a best practice used by every local business. It’s worth remembering that the Local Search Ranking Factors report highlighted the geographic keyword relevance of domain content as a vital factor for both local pack and organic search visibility.


How to Conduct Stress-Free Local Presence Audits by @BernieColeman #SEO
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Local Presence Audits Are Easy With Our Tool

At Advice Local, we help clients run local presence audits with our real-time management tool. Check the visibility score, manage listings, order local listings services and much more. To try it for yourself, request a demo or call (214) 310-1356 to see how our tool can help you!

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What’s New With Google, GBP Spam & Bookings From Search, Watchbait & More

With it being the 5th week of the month, we thought a roundup post would be useful. There were quite a few interesting news stories from this last week that we wanted to share.

1. When It Comes to GBP Spam, Google Is Still Fighting the Good Fight

Do you remember back in 2021 when Google shared how they were tackling spam? We highlighted the most important data they reported, including their stopping 3 million bad actors from verifying Google Business Profiles that didn’t belong to them.

Well, last week Google shared how they kept information on Google Maps reliable in 2021. The report revealed that they removed more than 7 million fake Google Business Profiles (GBPs), stopped 12 million attempts to create fake GBPs, as well as 8 million attempts to claim GBPs that didn’t belong to them. They also shared information about reviews, photos, etc. It’s quite the data-packed read – you might want to check it out.

They did give some of the credit to those of us who are Local Guides, stating that this “local knowledge that our global community contributes is a huge part of what makes Google Maps more than a navigation tool.”

If you are not a Local Guide, it’s pretty simple to sign up. And once signed up, you’ll earn points for reviews, photos, etc. that you upload. The higher your Local Guide status, the easier it will be for you to get your edits accepted where you report GBP spam.

2. Google Is Testing Booking Appointments Within GBPs for Some Healthcare Providers

In other GBP news, it seems Google is testing the ability for consumers to see appointments and booking availability for medical appointments directly through search. At this point, it seems they’re testing this only with a few healthcare providers. Barry Schwartz covered the topic on Search Engine Land.

Not every healthcare provider uses booking apps to manage their patients’ appointments, and if this change goes out mainstream, their decision to avoid booking apps could hit them hard. We agree with Greg Sterling, who stated on Near Media that this is Google’s attempt to once again be a gatekeeper and insert itself into more local transactions.

3. Google Partners Directory Is Available (Again)

Google has once again rolled out its Google Partners directory, this time with requirements that are a bit less restrictive. If you’re thinking about becoming a Google Partner, you may want to check it out.

4. Business Listings Are the Hot Topic on Search Engine Journal

Business listings seemed to be a hot topic on Search Engine Journal over the last week with several blog posts that caught our attention, including Why NAP & User Experience Are Crucial to Local SEO and 21 Web Directories You’ll Still Want to Use. In this second article, pay close attention starting at point #5 on the list, and review some of the many directories we can help you with – and more.

Hopefully you’re well aware of the fact that we are strong proponents of business listings and their value, and how building citations on authoritative data sources will help you improve your clients’ visibility in the local pack, Google Maps – and ultimately organic search results.

5. Facebook Says Watchbait Is a No-No

For those of you who follow social media closely (or have in the past), you may remember when Facebook updated its algorithms to detect clickbait and reduce the visibility of this type of content in the newsfeed. Well, Facebook is now telling users they cannot use watchbait tactics. They present a list of strategies that a video should avoid using, which includes withholding, sensationalizing and misleading.


What’s New With #Google, #GBP Spam, Bookings From Search, Plus More by @BernieColeman via @Advice_Local #SEO
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Request a demo of our listing management solution today to learn about how we do listing management better – real fast and in real time. Call (214) 310-1356 for help today!

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How Local Businesses Can Respond to Google’s Vicinity Update

Last week we looked into how listing management works. This week we’re following up with a Google algorithm update that is still causing aggravation for many local businesses.

The Google Vicinity Update and Its Impact on Local Businesses

You’ve probably noticed Google’s recent efforts to clean up spam in the local pack. One of these algorithm updates that targeted Google Business Profile (GBP) spam – the Vicinity Update – was rolled out towards the end of last year. Yet even now, many local businesses are still suffering the consequences.

As a refresher, in an attempt to deliver the most relevant local pack results to searchers, the Vicinity Update focused on keyword spam within a business’ name on their GBP. Unfortunately, businesses that legitimately had keywords in their business name were caught up by the update and faced negative consequences. Today, these businesses need help with strategies to overcome the negatives.

Applying EAT to a Google Business Profile Can Help Improve Placement

So, just what can you do to help your clients’ businesses recover? Well, first of all, their Google Business Profile must be optimized to a high standard – without triggering concerns about spam. Applying Google EAT to a business listing is one way to accomplish this.

  • Expertise – Businesses must demonstrate expertise relating to what their audiences want. This can be done through content, GBP posts, videos and FAQs that highlight their expert status.
  • Authoritativeness – Authority status can be built up by getting consistent positive reviews, answering customer questions, publishing GBP posts and even adding optimized images to the listing.
  • Trustworthiness – Building trust takes time, but it’s crucial. Businesses must publish accurate information, respond to both positive and negative reviews – and be accessible to customers.

EAT applies to the business’ website and social media as well as the Google Business Profile itself. It’s important to periodically review the business on all these platforms, and have an ongoing strategy that helps them establish their expertise, authoritativeness and trustworthiness.

Using Google’s Visual Search & Images to Improve Visibility

Have you been overlooking images? Creating and uploading high-quality images brings many benefits to a Google Business Profile. BrightLocal discusses why you’ll want to consider visual search for the images you upload to a GBP. If you’re not yet familiar with visual search, it’s essentially a search conducted using an image rather than text or voice.

And yes, there’s a reason for this – Google has become far better at understanding what is contained in an image – including faces, objects, properties, even possible explicit content. When a user gives Google permission to use their location during a visual search, local businesses with relevant products, services, facilities and attributes are likely to feature in the local pack results.

For a local business, this means that the images you upload must be relevant and accurate for the user and for Google’s visual search technology as well.

Visual search will benefit a business when they deliver accurate and relevant information through their images. However, visual search might go wrong if Google misinterprets the content of GBP images. In such instances, a business’ chances of a prominent local pack placement are limited.

In itself, posting images on a GBP is not complicated, but managing a franchise or multiple Google Business Profiles will reveal that the process can become quite time-intensive.

Fortunately, we do have a solution – using Advice Local’s Google Business Profile tool allows you to schedule images to publish at a set time – whether for a single GBP or multiples. Plus, our tool allows you to schedule GBP posts, upload questions and answers, even respond to reviews – just a small sample of the helpful features our tool provides.

Local Factors That Can Help Businesses Win

When it comes to local search results remember the magic trio – relevance, distance and prominence. Distance was one area where local businesses saw gains from the Vicinity Update.

Following Vicinity, Google may be more likely to feature smaller businesses over big companies when they are closer to a searcher’s location. As Search Engine Journal reported, local businesses that show prominence through reviews, citations and EAT can beat out the bigger brands.


How Local Businesses Can Respond to #Google’s Vicinity Update by @BernieColeman via @Advice_Local #GMB #GBP
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Are You Ready to Try Our Listing Management Solution?

Advice Local’s listing management and local SEO software is helping agencies and marketers increase their clients’ search visibility. From listing management to ongoing visibility monitoring and managing your clients’ Google Business Profiles, we can help. To try our technology for yourself, request a demo today by calling (214) 310-1356.

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How listing management delivers results

Last week we detailed some best practices for writing business listing descriptions. This week it’s time to take a closer look at how listing management works.

Improving Search Visibility With Listing Management

While we’ve talked extensively about the importance of citations and listing management in recent months, we’ve spent far less time on just how the process delivers results for local businesses.

To put it simply, a citation is a mention of a business’ name online or offline. Ideally, the citation will include the business’ address and phone number when online. It’s even better if the citation includes other information like opening hours, media and services. Online these citations appear most often on a business directory, review site, mapping app or social media platform. These citations, also known as business listings in online directories, can help a business build trust.

Getting a local business listed on Google, Facebook, Yelp, Bing or any other site isn’t too difficult. However, remember that the difference between getting listed on these popular platforms alone versus adding an additional 40 or more directories is quite significant. And this is why agencies look to Advice Local as their listing management provider.

Once these business listings have been created, to hold long-term effectiveness they must also be maintained. So what’s the solution to this problem? Exactly – it’s listing management.

The Role of Data Amplification With Business Listings

Submitting to the most important directories, data aggregators and mapping apps plays a key role in building authority for businesses. To really get traction, this process must be accomplished through a dedicated solution.

Google understands the impact of inaccurate or irrelevant search results for consumers. By gaining a large number of citations on credible platforms using accurate data, you signal to search engines (including Google) that you have authority within your industry. BrightLocal’s 2021 Business Listing Trust Report revealed that 63% of consumers wouldn’t use a business if the listing contained incorrect information. It’s most definitely a fact – citation volume, consistency and authority are key factors in determining trust.

Through a listing management solution like Advice Local provides, NAP data is submitted to a network of trusted sites. These sources themselves have their own network of platforms that trust them for accurate listings. So when a trusted source has vouched for your business client’s listing, countless others will use the data, including Apple Maps and other popular platforms. This is the essence of data amplification.

An Overview of Advice Local’s Data Amplifier Network

  • Data aggregators – Platforms like Data Axle and Foursquare collect and distribute business data to a wide range of sources like Google Maps, in-dash navigation apps and search providers.
  • Data accelerators – Bing, YP, Yelp and other accelerators provide data for apps, wearables, virtual assistants and other innovative technology.
  • Data enhancers – Focusing on directories that other directories trust (Chamber of Commerce and Judy’s Book for example) is very powerful.
  • Additional GPS accelerators & mapping apps – Submission to in-dash navigation systems, GPS devices like TomTom, plus mapping apps like Waze must be included.
  • Vertical directories – These are dedicated directories for specific industries like healthcare and legal.

Accessing such a broad cross-section of directories, maps, voice search platforms and more is clearly impossible without a dedicated service. However, data submissions are not without their problems. For example, amplifying business data when the NAP information is wrong will quickly erode trust. Inevitably, conflicting data provides a poor user experience for consumers, and may also harm your chances of search visibility.

Fortunately, this issue is easily avoided with careful management of your clients’ listings. Rather than treating listing management as a one-time thing, address it as an ongoing process. Does a client need to change their address? Did you discover inaccurate NAP details? All of these issues can be resolved with our business listings solution.


How Listing Management Delivers Results for Your Clients by @BernieColeman via @Advice_Local #SEO
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Our real-time business listing management solution has helped countless agencies, brands and marketers create and manage their clients’ business listings. Request a demo now to try out our listing management services by calling (214) 310-1356 today.

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best practice optimizing business listing descriptions

Last week we discussed why local businesses need solutions for mapping apps and in-dash navigation. This week our theme is a task that’s often overlooked – writing business descriptions for your clients’ business listings.

Are You Optimizing the Business Listing Descriptions You Are Writing for Clients?

Business descriptions are needed everywhere, from Google Business Profile (GBP) and Bing Places to Yelp and LinkedIn. As an Advice Local partner, it’s probably safe to assume that you’ve written a good number of business descriptions for your local business clients.

But how much time and effort do you spend crafting these descriptions? At Advice Local, we’ve become accustomed to finding descriptions that were seemingly created with little to no thought put into them.

These descriptions can play an important role for consumers and for search engines. However, all too often these low-quality descriptions are added to a business’ GBP, or dropped into our listing management partner dashboard for use in online business listings around the web.

biz description example

How to Create a High-Quality Business Listing Description

Fortunately, writing an engaging business description doesn’t take too much work. Most of the heavy lifting will occur at the start, then each description can be adjusted to satisfy a site’s requirements. Simply take your master description and adjust it as needed, such as for platforms like Twitter that call for a lower word count. Here are the main elements to consider.

1. Create an Overview

A good place to start is by describing your client’s business clearly and concisely. Remember, the Google Business Profile allows 750 characters (including spaces) to work with. LinkedIn provides up to 2,000 characters, while Twitter limits you to only 160 characters. Ideally, a good business description can be adapted to all platforms without losing the essence of the business’ identity.

2. Develop a Keyword List

Avoid keyword stuffing at all costs – along with any other low-quality content – but do think about the keywords that offer the most potential. What are the search terms most likely to reach ideal customers and deliver targeted traffic?

3. Identify the Brand’s Tone

Clients will usually have a brand tone that can be identified across marketing materials, website copy and blog posts. Think about the consumer’s journey from GBP or another platform to the website, and make sure it’s congruent.

4. Include the Location

Don’t forget to mention the main city or regions where your clients are active. We’ve talked before about proximity and its growing prominence as a ranking factor. When you can add geographical relevance to the description, do so.

5. Highlight a Point of Differentiation

Why should a consumer care about your client’s business over any other listing? To a consumer discovering a business for the first time, a unique factor can make all the difference. For example, if your client is one of many businesses offering the same service, including a differentiator such as their guarantee or mission can show how they are better than the competition.

6. Showcase Credibility

Building initial trust can be achieved even when you have a limited character count. For example, a long-established or award-winning business could briefly mention these factors to add credibility.

Because so many businesses pay little attention to their descriptions, it’s a clear opportunity for you to help your clients stand out. As we have discussed many times before, consumers are heavily influenced by the results they find in local listings, and it plays a major role in their buying decisions. With just a little extra work, your clients can carve out a distinct advantage in their particular field.


Best Practices for Writing Business Listing Descriptions by @BernieColeman via @Advice_Local #SEO
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Last week we looked at the importance of data aggregators for syndicating business information. Well, today we’re continuing the data submissions theme with a focus on navigation and mapping apps.

Mapping Apps and In-Dash Navigation Solutions Are Essential

This week we want to talk with you about the importance of submitting a business’ data to in-dash navigation solutions and mapping apps. As a local marketer, we’re sure Google Maps and Apple Maps stay top of mind for you – and the local businesses you represent – but there are many more mapping solutions out there.

For instance, with over 140 million users, Waze should be a priority, along with TomTom and Garmin. Plus, today most car manufacturers (Ford, BMW, etc.) have their own in-dash navigation – they need to be considered too.

There are many challenges for a local business working to reach these solutions on its own. That’s why partnering with a business listing management service like Advice Local is so important. Through our listing management solution, we syndicate business information to these powerful mapping platforms. And we include it for free.

So why do users like Waze so much? It’s the access to crowd-sourced information in real time. Waze users submit traffic jams, speed traps and accidents when they see them. Waze immediately shares this data with users traveling that same route, providing alternate driving directions when possible.

This collaborative approach has become so popular that Apple Maps and even Google Maps are trying to provide a similar experience. While they’ve not yet achieved the Waze community-minded spirit, their crowdsourcing functionality is constantly improving.

Why Is Data Accuracy in Mapping Apps Important?

Now imagine for a moment that your client’s local business data can’t be found on Waze – or that what’s listed is no longer accurate. Think about customers who arrive at the business location only to find it’s closed – or no longer there. These frustrated customers can then submit this information to Waze.

In turn, the next customers requesting directions to the business may receive this bad data. Just how many customers will this local business miss out on? Thankfully, this can all be solved with a listing management solution that submits to a comprehensive network of mapping apps.

At Advice Local, we include submissions to the most popular mapping apps and in-dash navigation solutions for every local business submitted through our solution – and it’s included for free. We will ensure your local business clients get found in Apple Maps, Bing and many more important data sources that make up the Local Search Ecosystem.


Why Local Businesses Need #Mapping App Solutions by @BernieColeman via @Advice_Local #SEO
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If you want help submitting your local clients’ map data to the important mapping apps, the Advice Local partner dashboard is the solution for you. You can also rely on us to assist with directory submissions, data aggregators and more. To try it for yourself, request a demo today. Call (214) 310-1356 for more information.

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