Google Maps Optimization tips

Google Maps Optimization is a fairly new concept. Now that the 3 - 7 listings from Google maps show up on local and sometimes non local searches, it is more important to get listed. Google has been changing how local listings are displayed and how to make money on them. They introduced an enhanced listing for $25 month. Now they are making these local listings look like the organic listing of their search.

The first question I hear is how can we optimize for Google Maps? Similar to the organic results which rely on links back to the customers website, the maps listings rely on citations that enforce the location of the business.

For example, sites like yelp and local.com are local business directories. Google will match your address listed with the one you entered into your Google Places account. The more citations you have the higher you will rank.

A common misconception for optimizing your maps listing is reviews. I have seen sites with dozens of reviews not rank. It is important to have good reviews for conversions, but you need more than that.

There are hundreds of potential citations that your could build. Start with vertical location opportunities. For example, you are a local hotel chain. Getting listed in travel sites will give you your biggest boost in the maps rankings.