It used to be that Google only included a box of up to 10 results from Google Local when you did a search that included a location in the search. So a search for [Bed and Breakfast Geneva NY] would include the section from Local with a little map. A non-region search like [Bed and Breakfast] would not inlude the local results because no location was specified. This is no longer the case.
As of a week ago, Google now includes local results on a generic search. It looks up the location of the searcher by IP address. So now when you do a generic search like [Bed and Breakfast] without specifying a region, it looks up your region by your IP address and then inserts the local results for your region. (see the example screen capture below)
In cases like mine, where my IP address is actually associated with a larger town because that is where my internet service provider is, the results are for that town, but google allows you to specify and remember a different location to adjust the results. So after clicking the "change location" link and specifying my town, I now get truly local results for my town on generic searches.
Since in most cases, B&B's are not going after traffic from locals, this may not seem like it will have a big impact on searches. It may help in a few cases (examples: locals looking for a place to put up relatives, locals looking for a not-so-far getaway...) but it is not likely lead to a lot of traffic or conversions from locals.
However, where it does have potential to lead to conversions are those using cell phones to search for a last minute place when they are already in town. The technology is essentially the same. Google sniffs out where the cell phone is and includes some results that are local to the current location of the person doing the search. This may already be in place as part of this recent change, but I have not confirmed it yet.
Anyone with a iphone or web enabled phone want to check it out and report back? Simply use google to search for [bed and breakfast] and see if it includes local results from your current location. Keep in mind that anyone with an ordinary non-web enabled cell phone can get similar results by just calling 1-800-GOOG- 411 (1-800-466-4411)
If you haven't done so already, make sure you have "verified" you business listing in Google Local Business. (be careful not to accidentally create a second listing). If you aren't in Google Local, you won't be showing up for these additional displays of Google Local results.
Unfortunately, if it pulls based on the location of your IP address, it may miss you entirely! My IP address apparently originates from a city nearby. So, unless I create SEO based on that that city, I'm never going to show up. I can try the Goog-411 with the cellphone and see what comes up.
Unfortunately, if it pulls based on the location of your IP address, it may miss you entirely! My IP address apparently originates from a city nearby. So, unless I create SEO based on that that city, I'm never going to show up. I can try the Goog-411 with the cellphone and see what comes up.
Click the link that says "Change location" and put in your location...then future local searches for anything for you will turn up local results from your town. (this is a change to your google results, not a change to your business listing)
Rats. It's a short list and I'm not on it.
Double ouch, it looks like the nice list of 10 B&B's for local search is also gone. Now it's limited to 3. And there's no rhyme or reason to how those 3 are chosen from what I can see.
Rats. It's a short list and I'm not on it.
Double ouch, it looks like the nice list of 10 B&B's for local search is also gone. Now it's limited to 3. And there's no rhyme or reason to how those 3 are chosen from what I can see.
That's strange... the limit to 3 is not everywhere. If I do [bed and breakfast mytown ny] I still get the 10 options but when I do the same thing for your town I only get the 3. I've tried a variety of other towns and they return 10 results too. Your town is the only one I have seen that limits it to 3. Bizarre.
Rats. It's a short list and I'm not on it.
Double ouch, it looks like the nice list of 10 B&B's for local search is also gone. Now it's limited to 3. And there's no rhyme or reason to how those 3 are chosen from what I can see.
That's strange... the limit to 3 is not everywhere. If I do [bed and breakfast mytown ny] I still get the 10 options but when I do the same thing for your town I only get the 3. I've tried a variety of other towns and they return 10 results too. Your town is the only one I have seen that limits it to 3. Bizarre.
Yes, bizarre at best, a death knell at worst. Those are not the best B&B's that show up on top. (It does change, tho, depending on the order of the search words...b&b first yields a different result than town first.)
Ok, so how do I DELETE my google business account???? SInce the B & B is no longer in business....it still shows up and I want it gone???? I can't delete my google account because I have a blog for our association under my name..Or should I just delete it all and let them worry about it???
Ok, so how do I DELETE my google business account???? SInce the B & B is no longer in business....it still shows up and I want it gone???? I can't delete my google account because I have a blog for our association under my name..Or should I just delete it all and let them worry about it???
Login to your master google account then click on "My Account" and one of the buttons you will see is for "Local Business Center". Click on that. On the page that comes up you will see a link for deleting that listing. You can only do this if you have verified your listing...otherwise google won't know you are the owner of the business.
I could have sworn I verified this account, but when I go to the Local Business Center..I sign in and that is is...I see no MY ACCOUNT..so I guess the listing just stays there
I could have sworn I verified this account, but when I go to the Local Business Center..I sign in and that is is...I see no MY ACCOUNT..so I guess the listing just stays there
The listing is not verified. Do the search that causes yours to appear. Then click the "More" link to the right of the phone number. Then on the next page you will see a link that says "Add or Edit your business" Click that, do the phone verification....then you will be able to report it as closed and delete the listing.
My guess is that since Google is constantly "discovering" businesses on the web and adding them, it may add yours every once in a while if it keeps finding references to it around the web.
Thanks Swirt for sharing. It's a good thing to know.