[Jamie Lindsay]

can anyone tell me how google places works?

I just rang google and asked if seo had anything to do with topping google places and they said no its just random

when I type in carpet cleaning glasgow 2 rug shops appear in google places but they are not cleaning companys

they also said it was to do with how close you are to the city centre.. I  replied thern everyone will be reg there business under a g1 address

[Steve Chapman]

They normally send a card to your address to verify you live there or run a business from there along with a pin number you use to activate the listing.

I guess it ensures a more accurate search per area rather than showing businesses miles away.

There does seem to be some way around it though as you still get listings from businesses that operate from another area.  Probably using virtual addresess or a forwarding address.


Regards
Steve

[garry22]

I just rang google and asked if seo had anything to do with topping google places and they said no its just random

Jamie,

I'm not sure where they get that from. I've seen a lot of "blended" results where the places and website listing are combined and SEO definitely seems to have a bearing. The trouble is that GP does seem to be constantly changing. As Steve says, the virtual address thing has been really abused.

[wynne jones]

can anyone tell me how google places works?

I just rang google and asked if seo had anything to do with topping google places and they said no its just random

when I type in carpet cleaning glasgow 2 rug shops appear in google places but they are not cleaning companys

they also said it was to do with how close you are to the city centre.. I  replied thern everyone will be reg there business under a g1 address

You rang GOOGLE! 

[Jamie Pearson]

Have you claimed your listing. i.e. does it have a marker rather than a dot. If google hasnt already set up your page you will need to go through the card thing.

To get to the top make sure you have pictures, videos and keyword rich content.

It is also weighted towards testimonials and something else I cant remember the name of right now.

You dont need to have loads of testimonials/reviews. I own top spot for one part of our business without any.

[Jamie Pearson]

Citations....I knew I would remember as soon as I hit reply.

I have quite a handy training module on it. I managed to get my page to no.1 within an hour of going through all the steps it lists.

[AshWhite]

'Citations...? Lol I'm watching old school Batman with the nipper and that just sounded like something boy wonder might say!

Apologies for the randomness, I'm ill

[davep]

You sure you called google in california or was it a seo company?

[Steve Chapman]

Hi cleaning systems uk,

whats the name of the training manual and where can i get my hands on a copy ?

Regards

Steve

[wynne jones]

Read up on microformats and recent changes, these can catapult you up the listing and very few people are aware of it.

[Jamie Lindsay]

Citations....I knew I would remember as soon as I hit reply.

I have quite a handy training module on it. I managed to get my page to no.1 within an hour of going through all the steps it lists.

Any chance you could send me a copy ?

just seems that having a website optimised is silly when google places is taking over page 1 on google

i phoned adwords it was 0845 number

[Mike Halliday]

type 'google places tips and tricks' into google search box  then spend the evening reading the 1000.000s of pages

[Jamie Pearson]

Found it.

http://bit.ly/rgqLyc

[Jamie Pearson]

...actually it isnt. The one I am thinking of is a printed manual I was given at a seminar.

Will scan it in when I have a minute.

[Jamie Lindsay]

thanks

[Steve. Taylor]

Can you use a po box address? in the middle of your town

[Jamie Pearson]

they will suspend the listing.

[Steve. Taylor]

they will suspend the listing.

Intresting now i know how some do it