Search Engine Optimization Blog - SEO Blog

Earlier last week Google released a statement announcing that effective April, 6th local search results will be included by default on all queries. How does this change anything? Here is why we believe it will have a huge impact on the way many SEO companies build their strategies.
Let’s start with the benefits for the immediate consumer. Before this change occurred, users had to request local search results by typing their geographic location in the search box. With the new technology they won’t have to do it any more. Google will identify where users are by using their IP-address thus people can get to the most useful and relevant results a lot faster. This is also great news for mobile phone holders whose devices have a trackable GPS module. No more tedious I-phone typing in the cold! Mobile search is about to get a lot easier.

Now, what this means to small and medium local businesses is they will be able to compete more effectively on Google. Local search is growing very fast. Instead of going after a big highly-competitive nation-wide market, it allows to target a more specific audience for a fraction of a cost. Targeting translates into better conversions and increased ROI. Also keep in mind that local search results are ranked more prominently on mobile devices which contributes to the growing importance of mobile marketing.
With local search being mixed with general search results, SEO can get you to the first page in search results faster and cheaper.  With so much valuable traffic coming in from Local search results, things are going to get a lot more competitive.  Now, is the time to establish a strong foothold on your local online search presence.  By being the first to take advantage of this, you’ll have the opportunity to secure your spot on the first page of Google for highly competitive keywords targeted to your geography.

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Tags: Google, local search results, SEO

This entry was posted on Monday, April 13th, 2009 at 11:54 am and is filed under SEO News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.