This presentation was created by Search Factory's SEO Manager David Butler. This gives insights into the ranking factors for Google Maps

1. Ranking Factors for Google
Maps/Local SEO
+ Google Pigeon

2. Why are Local/Maps Rankings Important?
 With a well optimised website
and My Business listing, you have
the potential to appear TWICE
on the first page of Google!
 This generally means more brand
awareness, more clicks, more
traffic, more conversions, and
more money!
Eg. For “lawn mowing Brisbane”

3. Google My Business
 Google Local
 Google Places
 Google My Business http://www.google.com.au/business/
Replaces Places and combines all aspects of Google business
listings including Google Maps and Google+. You enter the details
of your business in one place and it populates into all of Google’s
services.
With Webmaster Tools verification, everything it VERY EASY!

4. What does a My Business Listing Look Like?

5. My Business Details & Optimisation
 Enter the correct business name. If you have multiple store locations
you can include store location in the title but DO NOT include
keywords!
Eg. Super A-Mart Lawnton is ok. Super A-Mart Outdoor Furniture &
Homewares Lawnton is NOT OK!!!
 Select the most relevant category for your business as your primary
category. You can add multiple categories but you will have only
one primary category.
 Enter the phone number for the location. Best to have a unique
local number where possible.
 Enter your address as Google recognises it in Maps.
Eg. 5/36 Agnes St, Fortitude Valley, QLD , 4006 , Australia
NOT 5/36 Agnes St, Brisbane, QLD , 4006 , Australia

6. My Business Details & Optimisation
 Enter your opening hours. These will display in SERPs.
 Add images and videos. Main image will display in SERPs.
 Add a link to your website.
It is very important that the page you are linking to features the address and
phone number EXACTLY as they appear in the My Business listing.
If you have your store locations in the footer (3-4 locations), you can link to your
homepage. If you have a lot of store locations, each of your stores should have a
unique page and you should link to that page.
 Add a unique description. You can include keywords here.

7. The Best Way to Improve Local Maps Rankings?
Reviews
Citations

8. Reviews
 Encourage satisfied customers or clients to leave a positive review
on your Google+ page
We have seen just getting positive reviews on a My Business listing to
have a strong impact in increasing Maps rankings.
 You will get yellow star ratings appearing in SERPs. This can increase
CTR.

9. Reviews

10. Citations
 In Moz’s latest ranking signals report, local citations had a bigger
impact on local/Maps rankings than link signals.
 As with links, a smaller number of quality citations is far more
valuable than a lot of low quality citations.
 As with organic search results, low quality citations can negatively
affect your local/Maps rankings.
When building citations, is it very important to keep a consistent
Name, Address, and Phone number.
NAP

11. Citation Finding Tips
Whitespark citation finder tool
 Search for a competitors phone number
Eg. for Dejan:
“07 3188 9200” -site:dejanseo.com.au

12. Google Pigeon
 Released in the US in July 2014. Yet to be released in Australia but
could be released by the end of the year.
 The aim of the Pigeon was to provide better and more relevant
local search results that are more closely connected to organic
search ranking signals.
 The impact of Pigeon was seen in both Maps and normal web
search.

13. Google Pigeon
 An article on Search Engine Land says:
“Google told us that the new local search algorithm ties deeper into their web search
capabilities, including the hundreds of ranking signals they use in web search along with
search features such as Knowledge Graph, spelling correction, synonyms and more.
In addition, Google said that this new algorithm improves their distance and location
ranking parameters.”
http://searchengineland.com/google-makes-significant-changes-local-search-ranking-algorithm-
197778

14. Google Pigeon
 There is also a stronger link between you My Business listings and the
website they are linking to.
 Previously, the Local listing and website operated more
independently but they will now work together, feed off each
other, and influence each other’s ranking in the SERPs.

15. Token Funny Picture That Must Be Inserted
Into Everything For No Particular Reason