Local Pack
- Thread starter Chole
- Start date
Chole
Newbie
- Feb 9, 2017
- 20
- 3
Currently number four on our business niche + city keyword. Behind my competitor, his facebook and tripadvisor page. He opened earlier and has a larger following. The rest are some press releases and citations, so it should be easy to get in, right?
Scraper9
Power Member
- Feb 8, 2015
- 662
- 742
Firstly, if you are not doing it already start tracking your local rankings. You can go to https://proranktracker.com signup (there is free account if you don't want to pay) and setup a tracker with your main KWs.
- Take a look at your GMB page, see what you can do there to improve things. This could be helpful:
- Take a deep look at your on-page, if you don't have schema add it. Bunch of tutorials around the web.
- Start dripping few reviews on your GMB page and few of the major review sites (Yelp, YP, TripAdvisor etc). You can do some review exchange. If you want to you can hit me up, I need reviews as well.
- Also add some contextual links to start moving things organically don't relay only on PRs and citations.
seo_seo_seo
BANNED
- Mar 24, 2017
- 150
- 37
I have had the same problem with a competitor in the local pack. I have solved it by fixing and improving my structured data. I ranked on position 2 and I am still there.
Regileo
Junior Member
- Jan 3, 2017
- 156
- 58
IMO you should continue building more citations. You have plenty of free scanners like Yext, Manta and such (usually they give you the scanner for free and offer to build citations for you, for an overpriced fee, and take then off when you stop paying for their services, so just build it yourself).
And put some effort in your social media pages, you can gain local followers by small giveaways in local groups and hashtags.
And put some effort in your social media pages, you can gain local followers by small giveaways in local groups and hashtags.
Chole
Newbie
- Feb 9, 2017
- 20
- 3
Thanks to all for the advice.
I've added schema to my homepage couple of weeks ago. When i run the website through Structured Data Testing Tool I get this. http://imgur.com/a/QTa7L
The Entertainment business schema has all the info I put in, don't know if it conflicts with the rest. When i go to search console structured data part, it says: We do not detect any structured data on your site.
I have already built citations on all major niche citation sites, might continue to do more. I have very little amount of GMB reviews so I might take your offer on review exchange. My competitor has none, but he did get a crazy amount of tripadvisor reviews in a fairly short time.
I've added schema to my homepage couple of weeks ago. When i run the website through Structured Data Testing Tool I get this. http://imgur.com/a/QTa7L
The Entertainment business schema has all the info I put in, don't know if it conflicts with the rest. When i go to search console structured data part, it says: We do not detect any structured data on your site.
Last edited:
Nateolsen
Junior Member
- Aug 31, 2013
- 187
- 25
Local has many aspects and there is a ton of glitches out there, I have had many people with the same issues if you wanted to PM me or email me I would be happy to further investigate your problem if you would like. What your describing is the knowledge panel Google feels your competitor is so good they are giving him the knowledge panel such as if you Google "local seo Salt Lake City" you will see the knowledge panel.
Nateolsen
Junior Member
- Aug 31, 2013
- 187
- 25
Thanks to all for the advice.
I have already built citations on all major niche citation sites, might continue to do more. I have very little amount of GMB reviews so I might take your offer on review exchange. My competitor has none, but he did get a crazy amount of tripadvisor reviews in a fairly short time.
I've added schema to my homepage couple of weeks ago. When i run the website through Structured Data Testing Tool I get this. http://imgur.com/a/QTa7L
The Entertainment business schema has all the info I put in, don't know if it conflicts with the rest. When i go to search console structured data part, it says: We do not detect any structured data on your site.
Did you upload the schema in webmaster tools and test it?
nwasecurity
Newbie
- Apr 3, 2017
- 3
- 0
Insanely helpful! Great video - i would highly suggest watching this to those of us with small business clients.
THANKS @Obsurdity
Chole
Newbie
- Feb 9, 2017
- 20
- 3
Yes, that is exactly what this is. Thanks. So they have the knowledge panel, and there is no map pack when searching for our niche+location I guess. I just tested the schema in structured data testing tool and uploaded it.
Nateolsen
Junior Member
- Aug 31, 2013
- 187
- 25
It means they have put forth a lot of work and Google only recognizes them as that industry in that location it doesn't mean it's impossible to overthrow the knowledge panel you basically have to show that your listing is important as well.
Chole
Newbie
- Feb 9, 2017
- 20
- 3
OK, guess I have much more work then. I don't know what extra work they made to be ahead except stronger social signals, lots of tripadvisor reviews and a few press releases in local news portals. They got really thin content and slow ass site.
latifhazara
Regular Member
- Sep 11, 2015
- 326
- 76
What is structured data
Zwielicht
Elite Member
- Aug 31, 2013
- 21,128
- 40,601
I just deleted a few posts belonging to a user who was soft selling.
If I catch anyone else trying to turn this into a WTB thread or posting "I can help you, please PM me" BS, I'm going to start dishing out infractions.
If I catch anyone else trying to turn this into a WTB thread or posting "I can help you, please PM me" BS, I'm going to start dishing out infractions.
https://developers.google.com/search/docs/guides/intro-structured-data
laur.laurix
Elite Member
- May 8, 2013
- 2,063
- 1,871
Local seo is the less discussed topic on bhw. I`m glad I found this thread because I`m facing some issues regarding local seo ( mostly because I`m a newb in this area). I recently started working on a local business project and I have some questions for the pros on this thread:
1. is the knowledge panel that huge thing that appears on the right side of search results?
2. if a competitor is featured by G in the knowledge panel, can he be replaced by me or other competitors?
3. if a competitor abuses the knowledge panel (using keywords instead of business name) can he be removed by G?
From what I learned untill now I can safely say that G maps and GMB are spammed like is 2006.
1. is the knowledge panel that huge thing that appears on the right side of search results?
2. if a competitor is featured by G in the knowledge panel, can he be replaced by me or other competitors?
3. if a competitor abuses the knowledge panel (using keywords instead of business name) can he be removed by G?
From what I learned untill now I can safely say that G maps and GMB are spammed like is 2006.
laur.laurix
Elite Member
- May 8, 2013
- 2,063
- 1,871
asking a question about local seo on this forum is like talking to a wall.
This is what is known as a knowledge panel.
The search was on West London Audi. This firm stands out as it has all the keywords in it's business name. As this is how it is portrayed in the real world (the name on the sign above it's door) and on its web site this is within google rules.
If you were to change the search to London Audi then a normal search pack of 2 or 3 businesses will appear. (2 in the case of this search but it may be different from your IP address and location as google factor all that into the returning serp)
Yes firms which have a knowledge panel can be replaced but in this particular case it would be hard work. To get around the KW in the business title this firm uses you would need some strong relevant industry links. In this particular case if you were lucky enough to land a direct link on the Audi motor manufacturer web site that would probably swing it for you but only in so far as your listing appeared in the pack alongside this one.
You are able to report firms which do not follow google rules and kw stuff their business titles via your normal google account. If you do this often and review other places (not in this industry sector) you will gain trust from google and they may action your suggestions automatically. I do and typically go through my own sector reporting inappropriate use of KW and are successful in getting the listings 'cleaned up' (they will never remove them) around 50% of the time.
I wouldn't say the spamming is as bad as it was some years ago just that google is in the process of monetizing local packs for their own gain. On this basis some spammy looking listings have resurrected from the bottom of the list to near the top.
This year 2017 in my niche (accommodation providers) google now take availability of product with partner sites such as Expedia and Laterooms ect as part of the algorithm and will promote the business in the list accordingly. They hope to cream off some income if bookings are made direct from the local packs via the links they provide to places like Expedia.
Just another hurdle we are going to have to plan for and factor in.
Expect monetizing to continue apace as google look to roll it out across as many industry sectors as they can get their fingers in the income pie.