LocalSearchPilot.com

Google Favorite Places – Yay or Nay?

Posted on 09. Dec, 2009 by LocalSearchPilot in Google Local, Local Search

What’s in it for me…says the “How, Can, This & Help Law Firm” on the 8th floor with no real foot traffic outside their door. (Maybe the window washer has a PDA and a bunch of followers)

How will Google Favorite Places affect every business that’s not a hotel, restaurant, or one with a window to a sidewalk for foot traffic?

It’s nice to be recognized, but the practical application of using a mobile app (like MobileTag) to get more info is unclear to me.

I use my iPhone as much as anyone, probably more.  Anyone else sleep with theirs?  That’s for another post.

The barcode, for all intensive purposes, is a step-saver. It’s no different than 1) using the Google mobile app, 2) looking up the name of the restaurant that I’m standing in front of, 3) then clicking on the link. I am taken to the same place where I can read reviews, get coupons, etc.

Maybe I’m wrong, but it’s like a “voted best pizza by CitySearch 2009″ plaque that you can scan and get “more info”.  Cool, but I’m still determining the overall effectiveness.

Google’s video demonstration the practice application of the Favorite Place is here; the 2 guys scan the barcode & decide to go in.  If they wanted to use that same PDA they could use a mobile app like Yelp or UrbanSpoon to read real reviews about the restaurant (or business) & decide that way too. They won’t get the coupon though (that’s if the company offers one in their local business center account)

It’s a kind of gimmicky cute thing to put in your window to tell potential patrons/clients that Google has determined people like you. yay.  So that means you’re totally cool. Totally.

I think what the future holds is EVERY business that’s listed in the Local Business Center will receive a barcode.  Some will just say “We’re Listed on Google” and others will be the Favorite icon.

This encourages business owners to get their clients and patrons to write reviews, get some backlinks from blogs/sites, tweets, facebook discussion, and beef up there Local Business Listing. It puts more emphasis on the importance of your online presence and the equity you have, if any.

The more conversation/citations the better (most of the time). Google is slowly making a push to become “the” only resource you need.  They are “top of mind” all the time. 

Right now, the Map in the SERPs doesn’t do it for me (yet). I dont think they’re reliable. Google’s janitor is probably smarter than me, but what I don’t understand is how with all these algorithms usually there’s 1-2 (out of 7) oddball results. I’m not referring to spammy results; I am referring to Pottery Barn Kids showing up for “kitchen cabinet stores in St Louis”.  How does such a well-kept-secret-of-an-algorithm determine that’s one of the best 7 to show me? I’m combining some thoughts but I cant help it.

What will the favorite place turn into? Will it expand or die out? Will there become minimum standards to even be selected on the Map when someone searches? I think that part of the equation is that a company will need a minimum number of reviews with a certain number of stars before being considered an option.  Verified info in 5+ reliable directories. If there are not enough companies around me (using my IP), than expand the radius to include the closest, most saturated local business listing for my search.  (This leads to my next post, coming soon)

Whatever it is, it’s clear their direction. The new Google interface/layout emphasizes their priorities and I’m guessing that in 2010 the Local Listing Ads will be available to everyone.  This update, in addition to personalized search results, will impact SEO efforts in an interesting way.

Tags: Google Local, local business center, Search Engine Marketing