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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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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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Try Our Listing Management Solution

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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Try Our Agency Partner Business Listings Solution

Do you need help managing your clients’ business listings? Our partner dashboard helps create and manage business listings on the platforms that count. Why not try it for yourself? Request a demo today and find out how we make business listing management simple. Call (214) 310-1356 for help.

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why-businesses-need-mapping-apps-listings

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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Our Listing Management Solution Makes Map Submissions Easy

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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why businesses need data aggregators

Last week we discussed a common Google Business Profile myth that won’t seem to go away. Today we’re turning our attention to data aggregators, and how your local clients can benefit from using them.

A Data Aggregator Refresher

As a local marketer, hopefully you are well aware of the power of citations for businesses. We have actually talked with you about the value of data aggregators before. Key business data – name, address and phone number (NAP) – is an integral part of a local SEO strategy, assisting both search engines and their users. But what’s the most efficient way of syndicating this NAP data? The answer is through data aggregators.

data aggs image

Data aggregators crawl and collect information about numerous businesses, sharing this data with sources around the web. Submitting business info to data aggregators will ensure the business’ data is syndicated far and wide. However, submitting manually to even a handful of directories, mapping platforms and review sites is quite time-consuming. But when you submit a business through Advice Local’s listing management solution, by including the data aggregators, you are able to reach hundreds of directories.

So Exactly Why Are Data Aggregators Important?

  • Accuracy – We talked recently about a real-world example of bad data. It’s hard to underestimate the damage that can be caused by inaccurate, outdated or duplicate listings, but data aggregators can fix many of these problems by delivering consistent NAP information.
  • SEO – Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo and other search engines expect to find an expansive SEO footprint, with listings on all the main platforms. By syndicating accurate business data, a website builds trust with search engines and earns greater visibility.
  • Scale – If you set aside just 10 minutes for a single listing, you can see how quickly a network of business listings will use up your resources. Data aggregators offer efficiency without sacrificing quality.

How Can You Submit a Business to Data Aggregators?

While you can submit a business to the data aggregators directly, it’s not the easiest approach. The most simple option is to partner with a listing management service like us. By centralizing your submissions into a single dashboard, you can create and maintain listings with the data aggregators, along with other directories and mapping apps that the data aggregators will not reach.

Advice Local’s Data Aggregators We Submit to for Free

  • Data Axle (formerly Infogroup)
  • Dataprovider.com
  • Foursquare
  • Neustar Localeze

These data aggregators ensure your clients’ NAP data is delivered to a comprehensive network of platforms. As we mentioned above, citations are vital for a local business. In fact, BrightLocal did a study in 2018 that revealed 68% of consumers would stop using a local business if they discovered incorrect information in a directory. So, can you afford to avoid using data aggregators in 2022? We think not. And this is exactly why we include data aggregators submissions for our Advice Local partners for free.

A Refresher on #DataAggregators & Why Businesses Need Them by @BernieColeman via @Advice_Local #SEO
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Get Started With Data Aggregator Submissions Today

Do you need help managing online data for businesses? At Advice Local, you can submit local business data to the top directories, data aggregators, mappings apps and more through your partner dashboard. Request a demo today to learn how by calling (214) 310-1356.

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google-business-profile-myth

Last time we discussed a real-world example of bad data affecting a Google Business Profile. While we provided the solution to that particular problem, it did raise another issue – getting in contact with Google. Speaking to Google directly is a challenge (to put it mildly) but these tips will help if you ever need GBP support.

We Are Joining Greg Gifford to End This Local SEO Myth Once and for All

SEO is a topic certain to spark intense debate, but linking to a Google Business Profile (GBP) is an issue that was settled long ago. Recently, Greg Gifford at SearchLab discussed how the myth of link building to a GBP won’t seem to go away. As Greg advises, linking to your GBP won’t help you rank in Google, and you’ll be better off earning links directly to your website.

This myth immediately reminded us of the partner who had a prospective client that was using their GBP posts to link to their own GBP profile. Since this business didn’t have their own website (they were using a Google website), they were linking one GBP post to another one.

The partner shared with us how the business’ current SEO company was selling this to the business as link building, even though the entire strategy was fatally flawed. This highlights the importance of educating clients and prospective clients on the services you offer. When clients understand Google and industry best practices, your proven SEO strategies will stand out – and you can close more deals.

Avoiding Optimization Errors With a Google Business Profile

On a similar note, you may remember that we discussed a partner who picked up the pieces for a new client dealing with the consequences of bad data. The business in question had a poorly optimized GBP after a previous SEO professional had made some adjustments.

Unfortunately, the changes they made included expired offer posts, spelling errors, poor formatting, attributes that contradicted each other and so on. Errors of this kind had drastically reduced the business’ visibility and not surprisingly, the phone stopped ringing. This business paid for poor optimization.

A Quick Look at Google Business Messages

While we’re on the topic of the Google Business Profile we want to briefly cover Google Business Messages. This feature has plenty of pros and cons, and you’ll need to weigh up the value for your clients before setting it up.

At this point, the biggest con is the addition of a request a quote button on a business’ profile, which may (or may not) be an option. This is all determined automatically by Google based on the business’ primary category. After the prospective customer submits a request for a quote to the business through GBP, Google then encourages the prospect to request a quote from other similar businesses – in essence, their competitors. As an additional channel to communicate with customers, the service certainly has potential, but there are definitely some drawbacks.

We recommend that if your customers do want the messaging feature turned on, test if the request a quote button appears or not. If it appears, you definitely want to cover the negatives of having the messaging feature turned on with your client.

A Google Business Profile Roundup, Including a #GBP Myth by @BernieColeman via @Advice_Local #SEO
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Bad Data Is Affecting the Google Business Profile

Last week we talked about the Google update that lets consumers add updates to a Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business). This week we’ve got a story from an Advice Local partner who witnessed first-hand the frustrations of bad data impacting a Google Business Profile.

Does Listing Management Still Matter?

We’ve discussed the importance of business listings beyond a Google Business Profile (GBP) quite a bit, and there’s a good reason for that.

You may remember the 2021 Local Search Ranking Factors study that estimated how much weight Google placed on the important ranking factors. With citations making up 7% and a business’ GBP taking 36% of Google’s prioritization, you could be thinking that listing management is on the decline. But here at Advice Local we disagree – strongly. And yes, we have supporting proof.

We’ve discussed time and again about consumers’ trust of business listings, and today we have a real-world example to share with you on just how much Google itself trusts these listings.

Bad Data Is Impacting This Business in Google Maps and the Local Pack

Experiencing ongoing frustration with a Google Business Profile that they manage, one of our Advice Local partners reached out to us for help. The business they represent moved locations in April 2021. Our partner subsequently completed an address change with Google (including the postcard verification) and everything appeared to be on track.

Unfortunately, within days of verifying the business’ new address, Google changed the business’ address back to the old location. The partner quickly contacted Google support, who instructed them to first accept the changes for the business in the Google Business Profile. Step two would be to change the old location address to the new one again, then repeat the postcard verification process for the new address.

With no alternative in sight the partner completed these steps. The postcard verification went through once more, and the address in the Google Business Profile was then correct for approximately the past nine months.

Well, hold on. Last week, Google changed the business address back to the old one. And yes, the business’ website most definitely has the correct address, so just what triggered Google to determine this was not the correct address for the business?

Our research revealed that the partner did not have the listing management active for this business in our solution – the business had opted not to renew the service. The last time the business had active listing management was for the old address.

What Was Happening With This Business’ Google Business Profile?

  1. Google would accept the postcard verification and change the address to the business’ new location.
  2. Google algorithms would then detect that the business’ address in fact differed from other trusted data sources.
  3. Google automatically changed the business’ address back to the old address.

Both Yelp and Bing, in addition to numerous other directories and data sources, showed this business at their old address. Changing the address with Google might have seemed a logical approach, but it was leaving this business with conflicting data online.

So how do you resolve this? To begin, the business needs their NAP data to be accurate on the most important directories, data aggregators, plus Bing and Yelp. And while it is possible to update many of these directories manually, it’s time-consuming in the extreme.

Just how important is listing management for a business? Back to our example, bad data was impacting this business’ visibility in the local pack and Google Maps. This agency partner is solving this business’ Google Business Profile problem by fixing their bad data online in other trusted sources.

Partners trust Advice Local for listing management services because we deliver. Is your listing management partner delivering for you?

How Bad Data Is Affecting the Google Business Profile by @BernieColeman via @Advice_Local #SEO #GMB #GBP
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Google Maps Is Now Featuring “Updates From Customers”

Last week we detailed how to manage multiple Google Business Profiles (formerly Google My Business) from a single dashboard. Today we’ll look at monitoring these listings and, in particular, a user-generated content update that is getting featured in search.

Customers Can Get Content Featured on a Google Business Profile in Maps

This week we want to highlight a feature of the Google Business Profile (GBP) that’s been stirring up some discussion. This is the ability for customers to add updates to a Google Business Profile in the form of photos, along with a message.

As Google announced it in March of 2021, this isn’t a new feature. What seems to be new is Google featuring these updates in Google Maps with a message saying “Updates from customers.”

Traditionally, updates featured in maps have been reserved for the business alone, but with Google spotlighting updates from customers more, this is absolutely something to watch closely.

gbp-updates-by-customer-example

In Google Maps on mobile, within a business’ GBP there’s a tab under Updates that says “By owner,” then next to that, “By visitors.” While most local guides and others don’t seem to be using the option of adding these updates as of yet, as it becomes more popular you can expect it to occur more often on your clients’ Google Business Profiles.

Remember when we discussed user-generated content (UGC) in relation to the Google Business Profile? These photo updates are another type of UGC. Please note, these are not the photos a customer uploads when they review a business, this means adding an actual update to the GBP.

We have always been strong advocates of ongoing management, optimization and monitoring for a business’ Google Business Profile. Features like this demonstrate why local businesses need to hire agencies and local marketers just like you. We’ll keep you updated as more information on this feature becomes available.

Other Related GBP Updates to Consider

Over at Sterling Sky, Joy Hawkins took a closer look at the Google Business Profile Manager Agency Dashboard. Recent changes to the Google Business Profile have led to some unfortunate issues, prompting agencies to consider this new interface for their agency dashboard.

If you choose to use this dashboard you’ll need to make some adjustments to organize your clients’ businesses correctly, and to continue receiving notifications. Joy highlights how to migrate for you.

Last week, BrightLocal released their Local Consumer Review Survey for 2022. Not surprisingly, the survey emphasized many of the points we discuss with you each week, focusing on the importance of positive reviews – and what can be expected to happen when you don’t have a solid review process in place.

For example, 89% of people said they were “highly” or “fairly” likely to shop at a business that responds to all its reviews. Also worth noting, increasing numbers of consumers are using Google to evaluate local businesses – up to 81% from 63% in 2021.

And BrightLocal had more to add, touching on why GBP is not something you can simply set and forget. Most agency owners recognize that listings need to be continuously monitored, and essentially the process never ends.

Consequently, you need tools and processes in place to track search visibility across all platforms, stay on top of reviews, plus get deep insights. This is where our Enhanced Google Business Profile Tool comes into its own, with the ability to complete much of this monitoring, responding and uploading from a user-friendly dashboard. Our tool includes the ability to respond to reviews, schedule GBP posts and photos, add and answer the questions and answers – and more.

A Brief Look at SEO Signals

Search Engine Journal has been looking at the case for inbound links as a search ranking factor. You may remember we recently laid out the case for citations as a key SEO signal. And while some blogs have been downplaying the need for developing inbound links, Matt Southern at SEJ is firmly on the side of relevant, quality links as an SEO factor.

Now might also be a good time to revisit the Local Search Rankings Report and refresh your memory on the important ranking factors for 2022. GBP signals topped the list, but there were some other factors you might have missed.

#GoogleMaps Is Now Featuring Updates From Customers by @BernieColeman via @Advice_Local #SEO
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How to Manage Multiple Google Business Profiles Easily

Last week we looked at the importance of creating business listings for the local business clients you represent. We want to go a step further this week to give you a practical, highly effective way of managing multiple Google Business Profiles (formerly Google My Business).

Why Do Local Businesses Need a Google Business Profile?

Why would you create a Google Business Profile for a local business client? Because as a local marketer, you understand that ultimately, it’s all about visibility in the local pack, maps and search.

We’ve covered in great detail how applying expertise, authoritativeness and trustworthiness to a Google Business Profile (GBP) can help improve the business’ local visibility. We even created a score – the Google Authority Score – that allows you to easily see how well a business’ Google Business Profile is performing from within your partner dashboard.

Managing Multiple Google Business Profiles Can Be Made Easy

As a local marketer you know that managing a GBP takes time, patience and strategy – and this is exactly why we created our Enhanced Google Business Profile Tool. Our agency partners who have been using this tool can attest to its value. Here’s a quick look at what you can do with our Google Business Profile tool:

  • Monitor reviews and respond to them
  • Add questions & answers
  • Schedule & publish EXIF-data optimized images
  • Schedule & publish Google Business Profile posts
  • Get access to 18 months of historical insights data

Essentially, the tool is designed for agencies and local marketers to manage Google Business Profiles for a single entity, a brand, or a franchise without any obstacles. Everything you need to deliver a winning GBP is included – for as many clients as you work with.

Of course, your clients expect to see the value you deliver each and every month. This isn’t always easy with a Google Business Profile, but our tool will help. The Enhanced GBP Tool integrates UTM tracking – you’ll be able to demonstrate the amount of traffic you are delivering to a business’ website within Google Analytics. This makes it easy to demonstrate the value you bring to managing your clients’ Google Business Profiles.

How to Manage Multiple Google Business Profiles Easily by @BernieColeman via @Advice_Local #GMB #SEO #GBP
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The Local SEO & Listing Management Solution Marketers Love

Need a real-time listing management solution for managing multiple clients? The Advice Local dashboard for agencies, local marketers and brands could be for you – request a demo today by calling (214) 310-1356.

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Why Business Listings Are Essential for Local Businesses

Last week we covered voice search and its relevance in 2022. We always like to kick off each year with landing a solid foundation for location businesses, and that’s why we want to talk about the importance of creating business listings for the local businesses you represent this week.

Business Listings Are Essential

Yes, we are back on the bandwagon about local business listings. Why, you ask? Well, they are important – pay attention and we’ll outline just how important.

While surveys like the 2021 Local Search Ranking Factors indicate that citations are not as influential as other SEO factors, they play an essential role in the Local Search Ecosystem.

We’ve discussed business listings – also referred to often as citations – on the regular. Our results, along with the results of our clients, only back up the importance of citations as an SEO signal.

While Google isn’t as dependent on citations to establish a business’ trust and authority, search engines Bing, DuckDuckGo, Brave and other data sources depend on them.

Data Sources Search Engines Trust

Damian Rollison explores this topic in detail on Street Fight and outlines some of the data sources these search engines count on.

Bing

For Bing, the data source for business listings is Bing Places – makes total sense. Bing uses TomTom for maps, and for reviews and photos they rely on TripAdvisor, Facebook, Foursquare and others.

DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo uses Apple MapKit to display their local results. They use Apple Maps for mapping and navigation. While much of their data comes from Yelp and TripAdvisor, this is sourced via Apple Maps.

Brave

Brave uses Leaflet, Stadia Maps, OpenMapTiles and OpenStreetMap for their map listings. Local business data is obtained from sources including Yelp, The Infatuation, TripAdvisor, plus the listed business website.

What Data Sources Do Others in the Local Ecosystem Trust?

Have you considered where Apple Maps, Yelp, TomTom and BingPlaces get their data? These places get business data from listing management companies like Advice Local. Businesses can also go directly to these citation sources, but most of the data is received from listing management companies, data aggregators and similar sources.

For another example, picture this…

  • Directory A trusts Directory B, therefore Directory A uses Directory B’s data to populate their directory.
  • Directory B trusts Directory C, so they use Directory C’s data to populate their directory, and so on.
  • The cycle repeats…

Just imagine the data sources out there, and who is using the data from the sources. These data sources (oftentimes trusted directories) are known as data amplifiers. Data amplifiers are extremely important – it’s clear why businesses need to be listed with a consistent NAP (name, address and phone number).

Data Amplification Is Inevitable – Why Not Make It Work for You?

At Advice Local, we prioritize distributing local business data to data sources that are also data amplifiers. And since we distribute to them in real time, once a business is entered into our listing management solution, the business’ local visibility starts improving almost immediately.

We include distribution to many of these data sources within our solution for free. Here are a few of those:

Yelp

Yelp is one of the listing platforms, and Advice Local includes Yelp public edits for free for our platform partners. This means we will add important business data to a listing such as address, phone number and opening hours.

Apple Maps

With Siri and iPhone searches delivering results from Apple Maps, it’s crucial for businesses to be listed here as well. We include submitting to mapping apps for free – Apple Maps is one that’s included.

Bing Places

While Bing delivers a significant portion of daily U.S. searches, it is consistently overlooked. Make sure your clients are up-to-date with Bing Places – and we include creating listings in Bing Places for free.

Data Aggregators

Listing businesses on Foursquare is easy for Advice Local platform partners, as we include submitting to all the data aggregators for free.

Why Business Listings Are Essential for Local Businesses by @BernieColeman via @Advice_Local #SEO
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Try Our Business Listing Solution for Your Clients

Maintaining business listings for multiple clients is a time-consuming affair, especially if you’re trying to do this manually. Advice Local provides business listing management from a single, user-friendly dashboard. Try it for yourself – request a demo now. Give us a call at (214) 310-1356 today.

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