Topping the Google search rankings in your hometown is
essential for your business. Recently, Google has made some changes to the
local search engine optimization (SEO) game that do not follow traditional SEO rules.
Traditionally, having a strong SEO presence relied heavily
on keywords, meta descriptions, tags, interlinking content, along with many
other factors. Now, more and more information resides on Google’s servers
instead of on the web itself. Google “curates” the vast majority of content
users see, so webmasters must rely on Google’s platform and less on their
independently owned website.
Here are three simple ways that you can get noticed by
Google today!
1. Optimize your Knowledge Graph
The Google Knowledge Graph is Google’s way of connecting
information. Google’s business is providing people with the correct answers to
their questions, and the Knowledge Graph is one of their primary tools.
You can optimize your business in the Knowledge Graph by
adding information to Google My Business (GMB), which now allows businesses to
add more content than photos and basic information.
Here are a few of the
features:
Google Posts – Similar to a Facebook post, you can
share dynamic content that is separate from business information, such as
address or phone number. Examples might include events or seasonal content.
Google Q&A – Users can ask questions about your
business and you or another user can answer. This is a public form of
communication where everyone can see the questions and answers on your listing.
Google Messaging – Opposite of Q&A, these are
direct and private messages that do not appear on your public listing.
2. Manage your Google My Business
In the past GMB did not require much maintenance, but now
these new features force you to regularly check in and manage your listing if
you would like to see a positive impact.
For example, the Google Q&A feature has evolved into an
open, public message board. Instead of asking questions, some are leaving
reviews, going on rants, or posting spam. Yet even legitimate questions left
unanswered can reflect poorly on your business.
3. Actively Manage AdWords
Google AdWords is one of, or the most, powerful tool for search engine marketing (SEM). Locally,
AdWords ads are growing to take the lion’s share of local search engine results pages (SERP) results. Actively maintaining an
AdWords campaign, or several, is to key to avoid losing out on that coveted
spot at the top of the first page.
If you’d like to find more ways to get noticed locally by
Google, read the full article over at Search Engine Land.
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