The SEO Blog

You might have noticed some changes to the search listings on Google just lately, especially with terms that contain a geographical location.

In the past we have seen a top section of the search results present themselves with a map of the location, and a selection of 5 or 6 companies / web sites accompanying them.  Now things have become very different.

On the screen shot to the right you will see how the local listings take over the majority of the real estate of the search results.  Not only that, but they also come complete with contact details, and where applicable, reviews and ratings.  So what does this mean for search?

Well, there are a few things to consider.

Firstly, Google appears to focusing on becoming a directory for local business, and not a Search Engine for web sites.  If you know that you are looking for a London Courier (for example) and you get these search results appearing then you are instantly presented with the contact details – so you dont actually need to visit their web site at all.

The second most annoying thing about the new Google Local search features is the map that appears over the sponsored listings.  Now on first glance, although it does push the sponsored links down the page it doesn’t look ‘too’ bad, however when you start to scroll the map moves with you – covering up the sponsored links adverts!

Of course, as with any new rollout there are a few ‘bugs’ which means that you wont necessarily get the search results you desire.

The introduction of these localised Search results (OK, not introduction, but enhancement) means that the smaller businesses can now get their voices heard a little more in the SERPs.  Even Pay per Click is becoming difficult for small businesses to utilise as the larger businesses are bidding silly amounts for keywords putting them out of reach of the smaller guys.

So for now, from me, Google Local is a bit of a mixed bag but it will be interesting to see a) if it lasts and b) how it will be improved over the coming months.

If you are looking for a Search Engine Optimisation partner, or just looking for some advice then check out Online Digital at www.online-digital.net

If you are like me, you get hundreds of emails from Link Building companies based in India.  Usually these guys just end up in my Trash never to be seen again.  However, during a brief moment of madness I decided to give one of them a go (with one of my own pet projects you understand, not one of my clients sites) just to see how effective and efficient they actually were.

It wasn’t a costly exercise, which perhaps in itself should have sent the alarm bells ringing a little bit.  I placed the order and paid for the project.  This was followed by a polite confirmation email and also a follow up email from my new ‘account manager’.

Sure enough, with a day confirmation emails starting to flood to my account as the links were submitted to the directories.  Great stuff.

Upon completion of the project I received a PDF with a list of all the directories that my site had been submitted to.  Now the fun and  games began.  Me being me I decided to go through each and every link one by one to double check the sites that they had been submitted to.  What surprised me was that at least 20% of the links on the first page of their report were actually dead!   So – is this a scam or do link building sites literally die on a regular basis?

In summary I think that the popular link building sites that are worth anything to your SEO campaign have been established for some time, usually with a reasonable page rank.  You are much better talking to a UK based SEO Company or browsing the web to look for directory lists than taking the plunge and parting with a small amount of money for what in return is a small effect on your SEO campaign.  I guess the old saying that you get what you pay for couldn’t me more true in this example!

Adios for now!