Google Places + Map Listing Optimization

Google Places, previously know as Map Listing pages, refer to the local business listings that Google uses to identify local stores and services on Google Maps. In 2007, Google Map Listings began showing up in search results as a small map with 3, 7, or 10 local listings displayed beside the map.

On October 27, 2010, Google merged the map listings, now Google Places with organic search results. The new rankings are a combination of website organic rankings, and your Google Places ranking. Ranking high in Google Places depends on how well your Places account is optimized.

This new development will have a "game-changing" effect on SMB's.

In order to maintain your search traffic, your business should have an SEO strategy that intergrates both the optimization of your website for local search, but also the optimization of your Google Places account.

MB has been optimizing Google Map Listings, now called Places pages, since 2007. All of our web marketing clients have already benefited from the additional traffic available through Google Maps. With this recent change, we have seen even greater increases in traffic from local searches.

We recently showcased our Google Maps expertise in Ottawa at the summer 2010 Ottawa Marketing Club Event, where 200+ local businesses were given a guided tour of the map listings framework, and what factors are involved in optimization.

If your business relies on local search traffic to succeed, you must have an integrated optimization strategy. Contact us today to discuss how our proprietary web and Google Places optimization solution can give your business an edge in the new Google search results.