Google Adds Local Business Search Results to Non Local Queries

I recently learned that Google has added local business search results to non local search queries.

In other words, whenever someone enters a generic term for a product or service, let’s say for instance “attorneys,” Google will now include a list of relevant local listings for attorneys in your local area.  Google gathers this information based on your IP address (based on who your Internet Service Provider or ISP is located).

Instead of just giving you the organic search engine results (all the listings on the left that are search engine optimized), Google is starting to add local search results from businesses that have created a free local listing in Google’s Local Business Center.

Implications of Google’s New Local Search Results for the Small Business Owner

The main implication for you as a small business owner is free local traffic.

According to Matt McGee of Search Engine Land, some of the implications of this new Google local search feature are that:

…small/local businesses will now be getting exposure on at least hundreds, and probably thousands of prime keywords. As search marketers, we often tell our small business clients that they don’t want to rank for terms like “lawyer” or “doctor” because they’re too generic, and the competition for those prime terms would be beyond their reach. But, with Google showing local results on this prime real estate, a big door of opportunity has just opened up. A doctor in Topeka can get visibility on the term “doctor,” but only when local folks type it in….It also further kills the value of ranking reports, because rankings are now even more tied to geography and even your choice of ISP.

This positions a local small business on a level playing field with a bigger company that offers the same services and whose website is optimized and listed organically.  The small business owner (brick and mortar or home business) can get free traffic from being listed in the free Google Maps results.

Does the change really make organic Search Engine Optimization obsolete?

This new change by all means does not make search engine optimizing your online content obsolete.  It does however, for now, allow you the added exposure for creating a free local business account with Google’s business center.

This may water down those websites who are listed organically by virtue of SEO, but remember, if you (as the website or blog owner) don’t provide a SOLUTION to what your customer is looking for the person searching (your potential client) will click on the next result (local or organic).  Google still sees those solution oriented sites as the ones that are optimized organically.

Are there any Downsides?

A concern about the change is that most savvy Googlers are typing specific longer tail keywords (keywords of 3 or more words) to find what they are looking for.  This does prove the importance of focusing on SEO for your business blog and/or website.  The non savvy searchers still typing the one keyword “plumber” will benefit from local search if they are looking for a local plumber, but the savvy googler will more than likely find the SEO optimized blog posts and articles as providing the real solutions.

Also remember Google’s job will always be to provide relevant and qualify information to its users.

Now, take advantage, if you haven’t yet, of the changes and create a Small business listing with Google now.

In order to optimize your local search listing make sure to:

• Complete your listing
• If possible add pictures and video
• Write a catchy title for your listing
• Use relevant local keywords – those your customers would think of typing to find you (you are allowed to enter 5 keyword categories)

Below are some other cool resources on local search engine marketing and google local business search and other local search engines.

• SEO: Starter Guide (secretstowebsuccess.com)
• How to Get your Business Listed on Major Local Search Engines
• Checklist for Local Search Engine Marketing

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