Google’s advanced verification test in San Diego just dropped over 89% of listings from the 3-pack

Columnist and local search expert Joy Hawkins shows the results of a recent Google My Business advanced verification test and explores the new home services local pack.

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Results from the Local SEO Ranking Factors Study presented at SMX East

Wonder what factors correlate with strong local rankings? Contributor Christine Churchill summarizes the results of a recent local ranking factors study presented at SMX East 2016.

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The definitive SEO audit part 3 of 3: Off-site

In the final installment of his three-part series on how to conduct a thorough SEO audit, columnist Dave Davies talks about assessing off-site factors and addressing the issues found therein.

The post The definitive SEO audit part 3 of 3: Off-site app…

Why you cannot ignore practitioner listings on Google My Business (case study)

You may have a strong Google My Business listing, but what happens when individual practitioners at your location have their own listings? Columnist Joy Hawkins shares a case study detailing what happened when one such practitioner left her practice to…

2 strategic opportunities for local service area businesses

Are you having a hard time ranking in Google’s local results as a service area business? If so, columnist Corey Barnett has some ideas for how to improve your visibility.

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Got spam? Google My Business doesn’t care.

Seeing lots of spammy local listings on Google? It’s not just you! Columnist Joy Hawkins notes some of the problems with Google’s reinforcement of its Google My Business guidelines.

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Google My Business iOS app now lets business owners manage holiday & special hours

Google has updated the iOS version of their Google My Business app to let you set holiday hours, but the app seems to have frozen for me.

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Dear SEOs: Please stop spamming Google Maps!

Columnist Joy Hawkins gives a lesson in what NOT to do when optimizing Google My Business profiles, based on her experiences cleaning up spammy listings.

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