Newsletter #29

Whitespark's Monthly Local Search Newsletter

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Local InsiderJuly 2017

This month’s edition of the Local Insider is jam-packed with articles, so if your summer reading list is lacking, we’ve got you covered.July has been filled with a lot of testing and updates on the Google front. The industry's best have documented these changes, and we have highlighted those that we feel are noteworthy and important to keep track of.

• “Just when you thought you had Local Search figured out—Google brings out a new game board.” Dave Squires delves into Google Home Services and the impact it may have on your business. This is important for all local businesses - a must read.

• Google Adds Vacation Rentals to Hotel Search. Jennifer Slegg gives details on how Google has started prompting searchers to search for vacation rentals instead of traditional hotels.

• Google adds salon and spa bookings through Maps and Search (this service is not available in Canada but they’re expanding it quickly). Checkout Sarah Buhr’s example of how booking works.

• Sergey Alakov on Google testing a “Questions & Answers” section in Knowledge Panels. This potential new feature appears to be very similar to Amazon’s questions and answers.

• Google Tests Map View & List View Button In Local Search. Take a quick look at the GIF Barry Schwartz added, of the toggle that allows searchers to find local results by proximity to a point on the map visually or by data.

Cheers,Team Whitespark

From the Blog

Get Pumped! We’ve Added New Reputation Builder Features, Platform Updates & Expanded Our PlansGet excited, you can now reach your customers beyond email and access more features through the Reputation Builder. Delivering more value to your business, and increasing your ability to get additional customer feedback and reviews.

Here are a few of the new features highlighted in this post: Request customer feedback via SMS Text Messages, with an option to include an image. Add Survey Questions to your emails. Add Custom Tags to your feedback and create multiple Testimonial Widgets for your site.Click here to learn more about these updates, and see our new plans.

Around The Web

  The Evolution of Local SERP Topography [Infographic] 

This visual created by David Mihm helps illustrate a typical local SERP, how it could look in the near future and the forces that are molding that SERP. 

Citation Cheat Sheet: How to Add, Edit & Remove Citations

For SEO’s, business owners, or in-house teams who prefer to build and clean-up citations on their own, here is a fantastic resource on how to add, edit, and remove business listings on some of the top sites. 

12 Things to Know to Succeed with Google Posts

As a local business you should be taking advantage of the new Google Posts feature. If you have yet to use Google Posts, Joy Hawkins has compiled a list of 12 things you need to know to get the most out of it for your business. 

Secret Weapon of Effective Local SEO: Wordsmithing

Well written content plays a critical roll on your website, Phil Rozek outlines the many benefits of top notch content in this post. Learn some of the ways you can help get more customers and improve your visibility through writing with oomph. 

Is the New, Most Powerful Ranking Factor "Searcher Task Accomplishment?" - Whiteboard Friday

Searcher task accomplishment creates a compelling argument for how we should be optimizing our sites. Is your site solving problems that searchers are seeking answers for? In this Whiteboard Friday, Rand Fishkin discusses how Google is ultimately looking for how searcher task accomplishment, and how you can keep up.

12 Reasons Why Your Rich Snippets Aren’t Showing

Structured data markup is one of the greatest tools for creating enhanced results organically, however, sometimes your rich snippet won’t appear in the SERPs. If you’re having issues with your markup, Natalie Hoben has possible reasons why your rich snippets may not be showing up. 

How Google Seemingly Cut My Audience in Half Overnight (And Possibly Yours Too)

Have you been experiencing issues with your email deliverability in Gmail? This post from Glen at Detailed goes in-depth with rich examples, and information on how “something” changed in Gmail and the impact had a negative effect on his newsletter. It also includes two updates since being published.

Upcoming Conferences

CONNECT TO CONVERT - LEADS CONAugust 21 - 23, 2017New York, NY

CONTENT MARKETING WORLDSeptember 5-8, 2017Cleveland, OH

PLACE CONFERENCESeptember 18, 2017New York, NY