The local search landscape is changing. There's no doubt about it. Naturally, Google accounts for the largest part of such change, and in a variety of capacities. Read this article and watch the videos embedded within to get some advice from experts about local search in general.
One piece of local search information that is being discussed this week caught my eye in particular. It has to do with local search ranking factors. Chris Silver Smith, writing for Search Engine Land, says that when Google rolled out its Place Pages for Google Maps, it made some adjustments to ranking factors for local search content. The changes, he says, have resulted in Wikipedia becoming a "major influence" on local search rankings.
The Place Pages themselves group together content from various sources on the web, and for local businesses there are some specific kinds of sites that only make sense for Google to take into account as far as links.
Google has actually come out and said that businesses are selected as Favorite Places based on PlaceRank. What does that mean exactly? Smith writes:
If you really want to understand PlaceRank, you should now ask yourself just what are the specific sources that Google is using to obtain references? For businesses, it’s obvious that some of those sources are internet yellow pages and other authoritative business directories and review sources. And, one can easily find Panoramio photos, Flickr photos and YouTube videos throughout Maps. But, what were the content sources that Google used to identify Places which are not necessarily businesses, like parks and monuments?
It’s not surprising that Google would look towards Wikipedia for info about landmark places. The content is rich, deep and available for free under Creative Commons licensing. Marketers have long observed Google’s love of and near-preferential treatment of Wikipedia pages in regular web search results, so one could have predicted seeing excerpts and references to Wikipedia showing up on Place Pages in Google Maps...
Smith also points to a 2007 article from Bill Slawski at SEO by the Sea, which looks at so-called "PlaceRank" in more detail. Read Smith's article to see examples of Wikipedia's influence in action.
Many local businesses do not have Wikipedia pages, and it is possible that competitors who do will rank higher in local search. That said, this is by no means the only deciding factor, and trying to spam Wikipedia will likely be a waste of time, not to mention unethical.
Tips for Getting Your Business found in Local Searches12 Steps to Using Google's Local Business CenterGoogle Doesn't Have the Only MapsLocal Search Growing More Rapidly Than Regular Online SearchDon't Look Past Your Local Internet AudienceGoogle Putting Local Business Hours in Universal Search ResultsSearch as a Local Marketing ToolGoogle Gives Your Business its Own PageAre You Listed in Google Base?Get the Most Out of Your Google Places Listing | |||
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Wikipedia listing
One needs to be aware that any page on Wikipedia can be changed by anyone at anytime. If a business is going to try to use Wikipedia or a similar sevice, they should be prepared to keep a close watch on their posting, as competitors or other mal-doers can easily post negative or incorrect information in an attempt to damage a company's hard-earned good reputation.
It makes sense for google to
It makes sense for google to use them, Wikipedia is a huge source, but I think it is a little unfair to other businesses since not all companies will be able to get a page listed there.
Local Search and Wikipedia
I think Google has larger issues to tackle on local search than worry about Wikipedia such as figuring out service areas for local businesses to show in the LBR.
Yes, I agree with you,
Yes, I agree with you, Google has larger issues to tackle on local search.
Wikipedia is a huge source,
Wikipedia is a huge source, and is considered an authority site. Putting info on your local business or ecommerce is ideal for findability in the search engines. However, keep close look out for online reputation!
Wikipedia
I agree with George. But I would not post our business on Wikipedia just because anyone can go in and change or post anything, whether true or false or good or bad. I think that there are always going to be one or two unethical people in ANY field of business who might engage in such downside or black-hat activities. That is the reason that I never use Pay-per-Click advertising, because I have heard some horror stories related to certain profession like cosmetic surgery.
I think if you have a good website or blog with good content and good links that Google will recognize that and give you a decent ranking. I think developing a good blog is much more advantageous than looking over your shoulder all the time at how your Wikipedia is or isn't altered by someone else. Most of us don't have the time to check something like every minute. Additionally, what if you find something bad or untrue and you remove it, what is to keep the other person(s) from tracking it also and coming right back and replacing it with the same thing or something worse? Now you have a war of writing words taking up your time. No thanks.
Wikipedia
Many here say they wouldn't put their site on Wikipedia, problem is, a competitor could put your business on Wikipedia with negative information without your permission. There is nothing to prevent this. Wikipedia needs to be watched whether or not you post information about your business. Be prepared with a lawyer if this happens, there are still laws against libel.
I don't know if it would be better to do some sort of premptive strike by creating your own page and monitoring it, or wait for someone else to create it for you amd respomnd to it.
A useful source like no other
I have been using WikiPedia for years since I was in college, and I am so impressed that this site gives us relevant information on all fields. For me, this was the internet's best and biggest dictionary ever. This is the best place to do research complete profiles and information.
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