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Local Search – Reliable Organic Answers or Not.

Posted on 12. Apr, 2010 by LocalSearchPilot.

When speaking at seminars about SEO and organic rankings, I’m constantly reminding my audiences to never forget “Google picks”. So does Yahoo! & Bing.
It never fails for 90% of the audience to question why they are never put  on page 1. They simply can not grasp the concept that while “they” might think they are [...]

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How can a small business keep up with Googles changes?

Posted on 14. Dec, 2009 by LocalSearchPilot.

I have been involved with all things “internet” since 1995. I read all that I can on a daily basis, it’s part of my job to keep up on what’s happening with the Search Engines and website marketing in general.
I feel sorry for the SMB with a small budget (or any budget for that matter) trying [...]

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Google Favorite Places – Yay or Nay?

Posted on 09. Dec, 2009 by LocalSearchPilot.

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 [...]

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Google Sponsored Results & Local Listings

Posted on 02. Dec, 2009 by LocalSearchPilot.

Yesterday I mentioned how Google Paid results were showing random blue markers with address and phone #s .
Today is the first day in which I noticed multiple blue markers and this time each marker was numbered.
The query for “st louis fence”  had these results (click for larger image)
[update at 4:40pm] I did the same query [...]

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Blue Map Icons now appearing outside of Beta Areas

Posted on 01. Dec, 2009 by LocalSearchPilot.

I have noticed over the last week that my searches in St Louis Missouri are yielding some paid results with the blue marker that is the new Local Listing Ads that are being tested in San Diego and San Francisco.
The icon is appearing next to the paid result and NOT where it does on the [...]

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Are Local Maps Reliable?

Posted on 30. Nov, 2009 by LocalSearchPilot.

I am still waiting for the Local Map to be 100% relevant (in my opinion). Let me give you an example of a query I did today. A search for “kitchen cabinet stores st louis” on Yahoo gave me this:

I am 100% that CK Concrete does not offer kitchen cabinets.
On Google, I got this:

I know Kohls offers [...]

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Google Sponsored Search Showing More Options

Posted on 24. Nov, 2009 by localsearchguide.

Google has announced that you will now see more information in sponsored search results.
For example, a search for
What I am wondering is if you click “watch trailer” is the customer being charged?Most likely no, however, i am not 100% sure.

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Local Business Center, what is it?

Posted on 24. Nov, 2009 by localsearchguide.

The majority of business owners I meet have absolutely no idea where and what the Google local business center is!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjeCmHwqVpU]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lviDz8fUMTE]

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