The New Google Local Search Conspiracy?
Posted by Matthew Loop | 15 Comments
Ever since the new Google algorithm and local search update recently, I’ve been bombarded with questions from concerned chiropractors, internet marketers, and other business professionals. I can understand the concern and frenzy especially from beginners online.
One very important thing to note, though. DON’T FREAK OUT! The sky is not falling nor is there a conspiracy to bump you down the search listings…
Google never remains static and has been changing since they began in business. This holds true for their search algorithms as well.
Don’t be fooled by the fact that Google’s had the same home-page with little variation since it’s inception. Unless you’re heavy into online marketing, previous updates may not have been so obvious.
Believe it or not, though, most of the emails and feedback I’ve received has been about how my clients rankings have increased. Why? It’s pretty simple. If you’re trying to build a long-term presence online through a variety of different content mediums and legitimate linking, Google actually likes that.
If you’re obeying their rules for marketing and not trying to find the newest “loophole” or trick to gain short-term advantage, you’re in the clear.
For quite awhile now, I’ve stressed strategic link-building to clients websites and their Google Places (formerly Google Maps) listings in order to build site authority… AND… a wonderful thing has now happened:
The fresh integrated Google search results now COMBINE your organic and local business rankings! This new Google algorithm was created to make finding your businesses easier.
I like the sound of that, don’t you?
As I mention in the video below, there are a couple things that hold true. If you consistently market your business / practice with the strategies I share on this blog and in my learning systems, you’ll set yourself up for long-term sustainability and will be practically bulletproof in regards to future changes or pattern interrupts.
This recent Google update places emphasis on the importance of maintaining a strong presence in ALL aspects of the web. This is exactly what you learn how to do on this blog and what I’ve spoken about for the last few years 😉
In this video update from the Ritz Cancun, I clear up a few more CRITICAL misconceptions you need to be aware of, too. Check it out now since it affects you.
So, to silence any rumors, there’s no conspiracy to dethrone your previous top Maps or website listing. The game has just changed slightly and more of a multidimensional marketing approach is needed if you intend to thrive and be the “top-dog” locally online.
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Related Blog Posts:
[REPLAY] The 32 New Google+ Local Ranking Factors
Why Content is NOT King (and what really is)
Marketing for Chiropractors: Tips on Increasing Productivity
About the Author
Matthew Loop is an author, speaker, investor, philanthropist, and the highest paid social media revenue strategist in North America. He helps brands, startups, and small business owners multiply their influence, impact, and income by harnessing the power of the Internet. Since 2005 he’s trained over 21,000 clients in 25 countries. Millions have viewed his free business growth tutorials online. Connect with him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Like always on top of things and helping professionals keep it straight and legit. I had a group of chiros I am part of a forum with want to do backlink spamming by using each others links on a page with html to hide in each others sites. I told them that that is frowned upon by google… but they did it anyway.
By the way… I saw you are in Cancun now… I’m probably heading to Cancun on Thursday. I too like to frequent there.
Dr. Loop,
Great post today, I have been dominating my local Google search with your system but I did notice that about 6 of my reviews have been “removed” hopefully they will come back. Is Google essentially doing what Yelp is doing? Thanks again,
Thanks Russell… Yeah, automated backlink spamming never works and only gets your website slapped. Love Cancun!
Todd… Yes, it appears they’ve started to take notes from Yelp, however, I’m not convinced it’s completed the same. We’ll have to see as the days go.
Thankyou for keeping us up to speed with Google movements. Unfortunately we have had 17 reviews removed this time – all legitimate reviews from patients! This is the second time this has happened and they have not returned! It happened about 8 months ago too, so a bit frustrating…
The challenges of modern practice!!
Hi Matt,
Thanks for taking to explain Google’s new search engine strategy. I just had seven reviews removed from google places. I hope as you have explained in your video, those reviews will be replaced by google.
I hope you have an amazing day!
Dr. Jeffrey & Karen … Just make sure you continue to get reviews from patients. It’s frustrating at times but you’ll be glad you did in the long-run 😉
Matthew…
As you correctly point out in your video, “white hat” is the way to go long term. Unfortunately, much to the surprise of many, Google is a company run by humans and to that extent they choose where to deploy their human resources. I regularly research Maps listings and whenever I see a business with an inordinate number of reviews relative to the other businesses listed, I take the time to check out the reviews. More often than not, it appears as though the business has subscribed to a review spamming service. The frustrating part is that it does not look as though Google has the human resources to keep up with this sort of thing. Having reviews removed is particularly more frustrating in light of the underhanded tactics employed by some, and the fact that, for now anyway, they appear to be getting away with it!
Matt something different happened to me today. As of this afternoon my google owner verified listing seemed to split. It was showing up as no longer owner verified. My reviews have plummeted from 21 down to 10. When i got home tonight and rechecked, the main profile that was working (had 10 reviews when I last checked) was now gone. A similar listing showing up as “owner verified” with only 1 review was in the place of the old listing that had 10 reviews. Its VERY strange with no explanation or way to get it worked out. Any advice on how to straighten things out. It seems google keeps creating “fake” profiles that are unverified b/c they are pulling my business info from multiple sites. Thanks for keeping us up to speed.
Hi Matt,
I purchased your social media course about 18 mo. ago. I would like to do the apprenticeship you talked about a few weeks ago on your teleclass.
do you still have that available and if so what’s the cost? Can you help me learn how to market for spinal decompression as well? The majority of our advertising for our http://www.seattlebackpain.com site has doubled in cost since July and has dramatically decreased in success.
Thanks,
Leah Meadows
Yes, I can definitely help you and put you on the fast-track, Leah. Check your email 🙂
Good stuff! It is always a good idea to think about everything you do on the internet as to how you would feel if you found out that a doctor you were seeing scammed the system to lull you into becoming a patient. That goes for how you acquired your email list, how you gather you back links and especially how you gather your reviews. Get you reviews from your own patients that have been in your office and love you and what you do. Reviews from people that have not actually seen you in your office may get your numbers up, but think how you would feel if you found out that some of the reviews you read to make your decision to begin care may have been gamed.
You are right on the money, Matt. I have been preaching for years (the gospel according to Tom) that quality content trumps tricks and fads every time. If website owners realized how in-sync they were with Google’s goals, they wouldn’t do anything except try to improve the content they were creating and leverage Google’s mission to present the best answer to a search query.
Good quality content has been and always will be “King”. I posted a similar response to the “Panda Update” on my blog just a few hours ago, http://www.theinternetbook.com/blog/google-panda-farmer-update
Thanks for providing excellent information,
Tom
Thank you for the explanation. Really appreciate it!
Right on the money! Thanks!