Only 3 Google My Business Local Listings Showing - Why?

[iFuse]

If you do a search for "pediatric dentist noblesville in" only 3 local listings how up and the first 2 are the same practice. Why is this and what causes it?

Also why is it that the search "pediatric dentist noblesville" does not trigger google+ local listings, you have to add the state abbreviation?

Thanks for you any insights.

Chris

 

[Linda Buquet]

Hi Chris, I'm going to answer your questions backwards which will help it make more sense I think.

Also why is it that the search "pediatric dentist noblesville" does not trigger google+ local listings, you have to add the state abbreviation?

Actually for me it does trigger local BUT it's a one box. So essentially that listing:
Pediatric Dentistry of Noblesville has such an exact match name and domain that Google thinks you are searching for that specific Practice instead of doing a generic KW search.

So that gives the whole page to that business and locks the rest out of the pack.

It's a problem that happen a lot but it's not as bad as it used to be. I've made a big stink about it because for several months fake and spammy listings like Plumber Dallas, would lock all the honest businesses out of the pack and score a one box.

In this case if it's a real business and not a fake spammy name, then it's just such a close match to the query that Google things that is what you are looking for.

If you do a search for "pediatric dentist noblesville in" only 3 local listings how up and the first 2 are the same practice. Why is this and what causes it?

It's that same practice with a 2nd listing for a Dr and again Google just thinks it's a really good match due to having KW + City in the name.

 

[iFuse]

Hi Chris, I'm going to answer your questions backwards which will help it make more sense I think.



Actually for me it does trigger local BUT it's a one box. So essentially that listing:
Pediatric Dentistry of Noblesville has such an exact match name and domain that Google thinks you are searching for that specific Practice instead of doing a generic KW search.

So that gives the whole page to that business and locks the rest out of the pack.

It's a problem that happen a lot but it's not as bad as it used to be. I've made a big stink about it because for several months fake and spammy listings like Plumber Dallas, would lock all the honest businesses out of the pack and score a one box.

In this case if it's a real business and not a fake spammy name, then it's just such a close match to the query that Google things that is what you are looking for.



It's that same practice with a 2nd listing for a Dr and again Google just thinks it's a really good match due to having KW + City in the name.

That makes sense, now I am wondering if my client will even have a chance to show up in the pack after we do our optimization. Thanks for the help!

 

[Linda Buquet]

Hmmm that practice listing that scored the one box is not even claimed I don't think, so def the EMD or site strength.

I just checked it to see if it was spammy in case anything to report. Nope.
Even called the number to see if fake name or closed. Nope. It's a real business.

So it may present tough competition but if you give it everything you got there is still a chance! I'd just let the client know what the challenge is.

Here's my post in case it helps to show them.

<a href="http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/google-local-important/10000-attack-bad-google-local-one-boxes.html">Attack of the Bad Google Local One-Boxes!</a>

 

[Amber Robinson]

Totally answers my questions I've had about the Local results for "Spring Electrician" awhile back.

In May I noticed that this kw wasn't displaying Local results like it had been. Here is a screenshot from April-




Then in June these were the Local results for "Spring Electrician"-




Same address and Listing B's site is "not available".


And here we are today. 7-pack is back but same business still has the A & B spots.




I don't think it will last long. Just waiting on Mother Google to take it's course.