The History of Google Places from David Mihm

David Mihm has put together a detailed infographic of the history of Google Places, from its beginning in March of 2004 as Google Local to the creation of the Google Place Page in October 2009 and the final re-branding of business listings to Google Places.  In the timeline he also includes significant personnel changes at Google, product… Continue reading The History of Google Places from David Mihm

End of the Year Tune Ups

With the release of Google+ Pages for Business and the end of the year coming, I’ve been going through my customers’ online listings at all the search engines and directories.  This includes the big search engines (Google, Yahoo, Bing), top-level providers (InfoGroup, Localeze and Acxiom), smaller directories and review sites (Yelp, hotfrog, Manta, etc.), and… Continue reading End of the Year Tune Ups

Google+ Pages Now Available For Everyone

Yesterday Google announced that Google+ Pages for Business were available to a limited amount of users.  They quickly, within hours, followed that up by opening up the ability to create Google+ Pages to everyone.  I’m in the middle of creating them for all my current customers and I like them quite a bit. What’s really… Continue reading Google+ Pages Now Available For Everyone

Article on the Impact of Local-Mobile Search

I’m doing my requisite daily scan of  my Google Reader account.  I wish I had time in the day to read everything that comes through, but I only have time to spend an hour or so catching up on the industry and the fun stuff that rolls through it. Today an article caught my eye… Continue reading Article on the Impact of Local-Mobile Search

Local Search in a Nutshell

I recently came across the best representation of Local Search Marketing that I’ve seen to date.  It’s a graphic from Mike Blumenthal at www.blumenthals.com/ who runs a blog on Local Search that I subscribe to.  It shows the inter-relationships and the importance of your NAP, your directory listings, reviews, citations, PPC, the whole ball of wax.… Continue reading Local Search in a Nutshell

Hallelujah and Praise the Lord: Service Areas and Location Settings in Google Place Pages

I logged into one of my customer’s Google Local Business Centers today and had a pleasant surprise. As you can see on the image, Google has finally addressed the problem of businesses that service customers outside of their immediate area. Until now, my customers with lawn services, out-call massage, and plumbing businesses had major issues… Continue reading Hallelujah and Praise the Lord: Service Areas and Location Settings in Google Place Pages

Post To Your Place Page – New on Google Place Pages

I was working on one of my customer’s place pages, as I do on a daily basis, when I came across a new tool in the top right-hand corner. The option to place a message on my customer’s place page that expires in 30 days. I called the customer for a quick blurb to try… Continue reading Post To Your Place Page – New on Google Place Pages

Google Changes Their Business Listing Quality Guidelines

Google made a change last week to their Business Listing Quality Guidelines. The big issue was that Google was requiring people to list their full legal business name as the company name, but they quickly reversed direction on that decision. Many companies don’t actually do business under their legal name (I don’t!) and requiring it… Continue reading Google Changes Their Business Listing Quality Guidelines

Google’s Lucky 7-Pack

Going through local searches late last week, I noticed that the Google Map looked a little different. As I looked closer, I noticed that the map only had 7 spots on it as opposed to the usual 10. However, my cousin was getting married on Friday, and, what with matrimonial festivities and all, I wasn’t… Continue reading Google’s Lucky 7-Pack