With many folks worried about the recent changes to Google's search results, we offer some insight. We should say, with a few hundred SEO clients, we bring a unique viewpoint. We've been able to normalize data and view many data points not available to smaller firms with just a few SEO results to compare to each other. A short and simple explanation to the new google places results:
Problem: Where in the $&*@# did my website go?!
Answer: Google has simply combined your Google Places listing with your website link.
Okay, so I only get one link?
No. You get the main link (directly links to your website) AND your Google Places link.
So how do you optimize my Places listing?
The same we we always have: unique content creation, white-hat link building, on-site keyword density content management, meta data management and one newer, more heavily weighted factor; reviews! We've seen a large trend over the past year toward the "weight" that Google attributes to consumer/customer reviews of your business. This is NOT just on Google either; this includes directories from the furthest reaching corners of the web that have decently-high page rank.
We hope this has been informative. If it sounded like gibrish to you, its okay... just take it as, "These guys know what they're talking about." Here's to happy search results... and YES, we're on page one. Here's a link.
