Are you worried about Google local?

[khalid]

I've noticed Google has been focusing more and more on local results recently, which is a concern if you own a generic site that doesn't have a listing.

Whilst I pay little attention to the majority of posts on UKBF, this one did reinforce my concerns.

Lately, and thankfully, I've been focusing on local sites so I am not overly concerned but I was wondering what the rest of you thought? I know a lot of AD members have minisites and information related affiliate sites selling products / hotels etc relating to local areas.

Does this concern you? And have you thought of ways around it?

 

[edo]

I was about to say it doesn't concern me and then I typed in a generic term such as "cameras" into Google.co.uk and half of the fold was taken up by local listings! No idea how you can get around it.

 

[aaclapham]

I would guess listing on page 2 of a search will get more hits as people bypass the rubbish on the front page.

 

[FagEnd]

I'm more worried about google instant. To me it's a major pain in the arse. Not from a webmaster SEO point, from a google search user point.
I know I can turn it off, but if I clear my cookies, google instant is back to default, gets on my tits

 

[dougs]

local

Some of our funny hotel traffic has completely vanished. But the strange thing is our quality sites have seen an increase in traffic....

 

[FagEnd]

Some of our funny hotel traffic has completely vanished. But the strange thing is our quality sites have seen an increase in traffic....

I thought you were getting out this game Doug, piss off and let us newbs find our niche

 

[dougs]

Getting out

Leaving the real business's

But still a shareholder in a few, so keep looking after my interests. Plus I am full of cold and been forced into the spare room by the family.

Doug

 

[retired_member32]

poor old doug ,butler away again....

 

[dougs]

only one

Thats the country house....what about the one in the city and the one by the beach?

Doug

 

[richrf]

Here in the U.S., Google Places is dominating the local shopping business though Yelp.com is a formidable competitor. No doubt Groupon and LivingSocial will be pressured by Google Places as Google rolls out their group buying program. At one time, I was thinking about getting into the local classifieds business but when I investigated, I saw that it was hopeless - particularly when it became clear that Google favors its own sites in its Search.

 

[Marcoose]

Ive got such a love hate relationship with Google. My sites perform like shite in other search engines so am thankful they are so dominant. On the other hand I hate the way G messes around with its listing so much , so often these days.