In this week’s episode, I share examples of the various locations where Google’s local algorithm displays localized search results. If you have a better understanding of how the local algorithm works, you’re able to better optimize your website and win more local customers.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
Welcome back to another episode of Local Search Tuesdays. This week, I’m sharing some basic information about Google’s local algorithm to help you get a better understanding of Local SEO.
I was lucky enough to speak at several in-person events last month, and one question I heard a lot was “Where is Google using the local algorithm?” So this week, I’m going to share a few quick examples that answer that question
DUDE! It’s about time, all you’ve done recently is share presentations…
Hey, it’s my not-so-evil twin… And yeah, I know, it’s been a lot of longer episodes lately, but I wanted to share the presentations cause they were packed with great info…
But anyway, I’ve mentioned before that the easiest way to know if you need Local SEO is to do a search for a handful of your most important keyword phrases, and if you see a map pack in any of the search results, that shows you that Google is using the local algorithm.
But today, I want to illustrate all of the places where that local algorithm is serving search results.
The most obvious spot is the map pack, which shows at the top of search results on both desktop and mobile.
At the bottom of the map pack, you can click the “view all” link and that will take you to what’s called the local finder page. The local finder goes beyond the top three results and shows you every local business that matches your query.
Users can also go directly to Google Maps and search there, and those results are also powered by the local algorithm. While it looks basically the same as the local finder, there’s one important difference. In most cases, the radius of displayed results is different on Maps.
Notice here, how the map is a bit more zoomed in on the north Dallas area, but if we swap back to the local finder, it’s a much wider radius centered on Dallas.
Also, quick aside to North Texas British Inc.
Bro, you need help with your PPC. This is a search for “Ford dealer Dallas”, so you’re wasting your ad spend here. I’m looking for a dealer, not a repair shop. And even worse, Ford is an American brand, so I’d never go to a repair shop that only services Land Rovers.
But finally, the local algorithm also serves results in the “regular” Google search results page below the map pack. It may look like standard search results, but the sites are all localized because it’s a localized query.
So now you know where Google’s local algorithm serves search results. That’s all the time we’ve got for today, so you know what that means.
Put your hand on the screen right here.
We totally just high-fived ‘cause you learned something awesome.
Thanks for watching, and we’ll see you again next week for another episode of Local Search Tuesdays.
