Search Optimization Companies Disappear From Local Search Results
January 14th, 2010 | Written by: April Jasmine Stewart
Recently Chris Crum from WebProNews posted a blog drawing discussion around a change in Google’s search engine algorithm. If you’re a search optimization company you may have noticed your site’s vacancy from Google’s local listings for geo targeted queries pertinent to the SEO industry. On the other hand, it appears Google has a preference for the non-SEO related industry *gasps* as organic results still favor local businesses for geo-specific queries. Why? That’s the big whopping question that has every search optimization company’s cognitive wheels burning. In fact, it has left many search optimization companies a wee bit P.O.’d to say the least. A Google Maps Help thread revealed:
“Today, we’re intentionally showing less local results for web design / SEO queries. For example, [web design Sacramento] doesn’t display local listings today… based on our understanding of our users, we feel this is the right decision for now.”
On the other hand– a query that includes the word “in” such as “search optimization company in Boynton Beach” returns organic local search results.
Why would Google do such a thing?
Google has made it quite clear that their number one objective is to give users exactly what they’re looking for. I’m not sure how including the preposition “in” changes a users intent– to me, “web design Sacramento” and “web design in Sacramento” are one and the same thing. The logic may not be coherent, but not withstanding it’s no secret that many search optimization companies have exploited search engines for geo specific search queries.
With this in mind, is Google’s algorithmic change to local search results for SEO related queries really to give searchers what they’re looking for? Or simply to circumvent the abuse by narrowing organic listings for search optimization companies hoping to hitch a free ride?
Tags: google, google maps, local results, local search, search optimization company
This entry was posted on Thursday, January 14th, 2010 at 7:25 am and is filed under SEO, Search Engines. 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.
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