I spend a lot of time reading, researching and listening to local SEO news, updates and blog posts so that I can stay up to date with Google changes, local SEO ideas and best practice. All this research helps our clients rank well in the search engine results pages (SERPS).
E-A-T and SEO: How to Create Content That Google Wants – Moz, Ian Booth.
I love this blog as it outlines the reasons why you need to consider expertise, authority and trust (EAT), the history of the quality rating guidelines and their changes. It also features a great video from Brighton SEO by Dr Marie Haynes dating from 2018 about The Google Quality Guidelines. The blog includes some great practical tips about keyword research, user intent, author profiles and reviews.
You can read the full blog post here.
Hardest Truths of Google Maps Spam – Local Visibility System – Phil Rozek
Google map spam is something we have discussed before on a monthly podcast and it’s an issue that seems to get worse over time. This is a great post by Phil Rozek outlining what to expect or not expect (a fast response for one) from Google when you report map spam. There are links with the post to more quality articles about the “spam patrol” and how to report map spam.
I have had occasion to report a number of violations in Google maps recently (fake address, fake business names, fake reviews) but nothing appears to change. This post makes good points about how the lack of info on a GMB can protect a spam page; that review spam is a of very low importance to Google; that they are slow to deal with it; and that you get no feedback on your suggested edits. Well worth a read although you might end up banging you head on the table in frustration afterwards!
Read Hardest Truths of Google Maps Spam here
Everything You Need to Know About Google My Business Posts – Whitespark – Jessie Low
I am a big fan of Google posts and have seen them work well in different online niches, including restaurants, pubs, hotels, home and garden trades and even the motor trade. If you have a Google my business listing set up you should be using the posting facility.
This wonderful article outlines what GMB posts are, how to create them, and what the different types of Google Posts allow for. There are five main types of post:
- What’s New
- Events
- Offers
- Welcome Offer
- Products
The Whitespark guide also highlights what CTA buttons you can use on each post type, the length limitations of posts, how to create and share posts, and the Google content policy for posting.
It’s a great read; you can access the whole article here.
Millions of fake Google Maps listings hurt real business and consumers – Search Engine Land – George Nguyen
It’s interesting to note that the Wall Street Journal is reporting fake map listing and review spam in the Google local ecosystem. The full Journal article is behind a paywall, but the piece by George Nguyen on Search Engine Land is a comprehensive summary.
It highlights issues around “duress verticals” or “distressed purchases” – local business when there is a need for quick local service (locksmiths, car repairs, legal services, blocked drains etc). The article covers other matters such as fake accounts, fake addresses, keyword stuffing in business names, impact on the local three pack and knowledge panel results.
The article also discusses the failure of Google to deal with issues around Google My Business spam and suggests Google might “solve” the issue with paid local ads.
It’s a great summary of the issues and one that you could share with customers/clients so that they are aware of the problems they face when playing by Googles rules.
The search engine article is here…
If you want to read the whole article you need to create an account and then read it here.
The Dentons Digital SEO team always have their eye on the ball, keeping up with trends and news in the ever-evolving – and crucial – SEO industry. We’ve put hundreds of happy clients’ websites up in the top ranks of the search engines, and we can do it for your business too. It costs you nothing for us to give your website a free, no-obligation SEO audit.
