Linda Buquet
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- Jun 28, 2012
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Having a hard time ranking? Or you WERE ranking and dropped???
Phil just did a comprehensive post about all the diagnostics you need to do to track down the problem and fix it.
Excellent post as always by Phil.
Here are a couple things I just wanted to add:
Check the “Maps” tab
Are you ranked #10? Are you on page 5? To find out, type in a search term, click the “Map results…” link under the Google Places results, then click the “See results in list view” link.
That would be directions for new maps which is how to check ranking further back. But wanted to mention if you use Classic maps still as most local SEOs I know do, then the ranking order may be totally different. There in classic you may still rank on top. But it's showing the old pre-Pigeon ranking order.
Make sure the page is verified
Look for the little checkmark near the profile photo.
That verification check mark does not always show. If you are verified in dash and you see description on the listing, then you are verified. That's verification checkmark is a feature that is a little hit or miss and does not always show on local listings, but it's not a problem if it's missing.
Also wanted to add, check to be sure you are not repeating City or KWs over and over in description. I've seen that cause a major ranking penalty many times and sometimes even after you clean it up, if it's seen by the algo as super spammy, it can take 5 months or so to recover.
Awesome stuff Phil. Thanks for the great tips!
I also just posted about a <a href="http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/local-search/25315-comprehensive-free-local-search-engine-optimization-audit.html">Comprehensive Free Local SEO Audit Template</a> from Dan Leibson at Local SEO Guide that ties right into this post.
Phil just did a comprehensive post about all the diagnostics you need to do to track down the problem and fix it.
Excellent post as always by Phil.
Here are a couple things I just wanted to add:
Check the “Maps” tab
Are you ranked #10? Are you on page 5? To find out, type in a search term, click the “Map results…” link under the Google Places results, then click the “See results in list view” link.
That would be directions for new maps which is how to check ranking further back. But wanted to mention if you use Classic maps still as most local SEOs I know do, then the ranking order may be totally different. There in classic you may still rank on top. But it's showing the old pre-Pigeon ranking order.
Make sure the page is verified
Look for the little checkmark near the profile photo.
That verification check mark does not always show. If you are verified in dash and you see description on the listing, then you are verified. That's verification checkmark is a feature that is a little hit or miss and does not always show on local listings, but it's not a problem if it's missing.
Also wanted to add, check to be sure you are not repeating City or KWs over and over in description. I've seen that cause a major ranking penalty many times and sometimes even after you clean it up, if it's seen by the algo as super spammy, it can take 5 months or so to recover.
Awesome stuff Phil. Thanks for the great tips!
I also just posted about a <a href="http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/local-search/25315-comprehensive-free-local-search-engine-optimization-audit.html">Comprehensive Free Local SEO Audit Template</a> from Dan Leibson at Local SEO Guide that ties right into this post.
