Newsletter #24

Whitespark Local Insider

February 24, 2017

Whitespark's Monthly Local Search Newsletter

Local InsiderFebruary 2017

"Have you noticed that a lot of local pack results don’t seem to make sense these days? Almost every time I search Google for a local search term, the pack results leave me wondering, why are these businesses ranking?”Take these results for example:In this local search study, Proximity to Searcher is the New #1 Local Search Ranking Factor, Darren Shaw discusses how Google is using proximity of the searcher to return local results, why this is occurring, how it affects local SEO strategies, and what you can do to improve your local results.Cheers,Team Whitespark

From the Blog

Local Rank Tracker RebootOur Local Rank Tracker has a new look, more features, and is now available in 7 additional countries!

Key Changes to the Tool: Updated design. New campaign setup form. Restructured campaigns at a glance overview. Breakdown of Top 5, 10, and 50 results. Track Local Pack & Finder results by business name. New chart types and themes. Filter by Location and/or Keyword. Available in more countries.Learn more about these awesome changes and start tracking your local rankings!

Around The Web

It's Time to Stop Doing On-Page SEO Like It's 2012

There are 5 common mistakes and biases that are continuing to pop up when it comes to on-page SEO. Rand Fishkin has simple tactical fixes for you, so you can start approaching on-page SEO like it’s 2017!

Relationship Between Local and Organic SEO: a Simple Diagram

Many people don’t realize that local SEO is mostly organic SEO plus a few additional moving parts. Without doing what is necessary to rank well in Google’s local organic results, you won’t gain as much visibility for your business on the local map. Phil Rozek has created a diagram to help clarify the connections between local and organic SEO.

Yelp Is Starting to Solicit Reviews for Business Owners — and That’s a Good Thing

Yelp is serious about taking their transaction capabilities to a new level. By offering scheduling and booking across all categories Yelp can solicit reviews on behalf of business owners; which they have already started doing. Check out Greg Sterling’s insights on to why this is good and real life examples.

Ranking Local Businesses Based Upon Quality Measures Including Travel Time

Google was recently granted approval for a travel time patent, and it looks as though quality measures like reviews, and the time a person is willing to travel in order to visit a specific location will play a bigger role in local ranking factors. Bill Slawski reports on the patent and other recent updates.

How Does Google Determine the Authority of Local Entities?

If Google can verify the relationship to the local entity, they can apply that authority to the ranking of the local listing. Your website is simply one of many trusted sites that Google can evaluate and add authority to the listing. David Mihm and Mike Blumenthal discuss factors that can influence local ranking signals.

The Difference-Making Local Ranking Factor of 2020

Following his discussion with Mike Blumenthal on how Google determines authority of local entities, David Mihm dives deeper into the questions, “If I were Google, how would I define a local entity? And once I did, how would I rank it relative to others?” and discusses the potential future shifts in ranking factors. This is a must-read post!

Make Sites Faster

Is your site slow or lagging? Check out these 5 tips from Jon Henshaw on how to make it faster, and ultimately get more visitors.

MozCon Local Sweepstakes Winner

Our lucky sweepstakes winner was Paula Jackler, who is headed to MozCon Local & the Advanced Local University Workshop. Thank you again to everyone who participated. If you're attending MozCon Local please come say hi at the Whitespark booth, and pick up some super swag!