swirt
Forum founder. Former Owner.
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For a while now Google has been merging map and business listings with reviews from review websites like TripAdvisor and BedandBreakfast.com. The number of reviews does have an influence on where you appear in the local search (one of several factors). Google has now added its own method of submitting reviews (similar to what Yahoo maps has had for a while). It is unclear to me at this point whether a google review carries more or less weight than a TripAdvisor or bandb.com review in terms of influencing where you appear in a local/map search. Here is the Google Review submission form that now appears as part of all business listings within Google Maps
Recently another new bit of data is being merged into this. "User Content" is what Google seems to be calling data that people with map accounts contribute when they make a custom map to display points of interest. So far where I see this appearing is in the form of people planning weddings are creating custom google maps to list places to stay or things to do. Here is a sample listing from someone's custom wedding map.
If they add you to a map, then Google takes note, and adds it into a section within your listing called "User Data". It is too soon at the moment to know whether the amount of user data listings (the number of people who use your B&B as a pushpin in their map) will have an impact on where you show up in a search. My bet is that it certainly could play a role since it follows with Google's notion that each link to your site (from a reputable site) is a vote for your site. Likewise each pushpin using your B&B could seen as a vote for your B&B. It could be prone to manipulation though, so it may not be weighted that heavily.
This is why it is important to make sure that you have verified your Google business listing and have done what you can to make sure your website and other listings in directories support good health in Google Maps.
Recently another new bit of data is being merged into this. "User Content" is what Google seems to be calling data that people with map accounts contribute when they make a custom map to display points of interest. So far where I see this appearing is in the form of people planning weddings are creating custom google maps to list places to stay or things to do. Here is a sample listing from someone's custom wedding map.
If they add you to a map, then Google takes note, and adds it into a section within your listing called "User Data". It is too soon at the moment to know whether the amount of user data listings (the number of people who use your B&B as a pushpin in their map) will have an impact on where you show up in a search. My bet is that it certainly could play a role since it follows with Google's notion that each link to your site (from a reputable site) is a vote for your site. Likewise each pushpin using your B&B could seen as a vote for your B&B. It could be prone to manipulation though, so it may not be weighted that heavily.
This is why it is important to make sure that you have verified your Google business listing and have done what you can to make sure your website and other listings in directories support good health in Google Maps.