Local Search News

Microsoft Joins the Onebox Bandwagon

Posted on 04. Mar, 2009 by Steve Espinosa.

It wasn’t to long ago when Google released there first version of the Onebox in which it included 3 business listings with a map to the left which was triggered when a local search was conducted. Since then Yahoo! updated there version of local blended listings, called Yahoo! Shortcuts, with a map added to the left of the business listings similar to Google. Then Google updated their own Onebox adding 10 business listings instead of 3.

Microsoft has now thrown their hat in the ring and updated the look of blended local results in the SERPs. Hopefully this an ongoing trend for the search engines, indicating they are spending more resources and focusing on local searches, although Microsoft has a ways to go.

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He Said, She Said . . .

Posted on 23. Feb, 2009 by Greg Sterling.

Print yellow pages advocates have seized upon newly released survey data from Forrester Research to argue that traditional yellow pages are still on top in terms of consumer usage for local business information.

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Looking for Weekly Wrap Up Contributor

Posted on 23. Feb, 2009 by Steve Espinosa.

All of us at Local Search News are extremely busy! We sure you are too, but we are in great need for a “Local Weekly Wrap Up” Contributor to update all of our readers what happened in the week of Local Search.

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Google Promotes Local Yet Again

Posted on 17. Feb, 2009 by Steve Espinosa.

Google has really gone above and beyond when promoting all things local. Whether that be purchasing billboards that promote Google 411, allowing Google Maps SERPs to be indexed, and now, promoting Google Maps via AdWords and sending users to a promotional Google Maps page.

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The Downfall of Geo Modifiers

Posted on 14. Feb, 2009 by Steve Espinosa.

Long before the Onebox and Yahoo! Shortcut came along; before all the geo targeting in Yahoo! Search Marketing and Google Adwords came along, searchers were already searching for local businesses and services. When performing the search, more often than not, they would simply leave out any kind of geographic modifier (i.e. zip code, city name, neighborhood, etc.) and receive sub par search results.

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Local Search Engine Optimization for The Sam’s Club Crowd with Barnacle SEO

Posted on 20. Jan, 2009 by Will Scott.

Small business owners are generally a frugal lot.

Of course there are some who’ve got the budget to invest heavily as long as they see a return, but what about those who don’t?

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