Google Map SEO Backlinks > Citations?

I am starting to see more and more often business being on the very top without having more then 2 crappy reviews and a few crappy citations. They even beat out ones that have everything perfectly set out.

A lot of the local keywords I search for this happens. I'm starting to believe that it has to be because of actual backlinks not citations that are causing them to rank this high.

It is quite possible that linking to the actual Google Business Listing helps rank higher.

What are your thoughts?

Interesting

what ever you are doing weather its a website, google listing, blog....do everything.. backlinks,citations,blog linking, youtube pointing, facebook blasting...do it all

when google listings were new it was all about the citations its no so anymore..

there is evidence that many of the listings are fed through the local phone company white and yellow pages which only happens as a result of an actual business land line, company name and address AND a yellow page ad in the local providers phone book.

This is the reason you will see quite a bit of listings that are not owner verified, dont have a website, have citations on many online directories, yet haven't done any submissions or SEO.

I have also been looking into the KML file as well which is suppose to help.


I don't know how you backlink a listing because when you usually click on most listings it goes straight to the website.

corvettespeeder said:

I have also been looking into the KML file as well which is suppose to help.


I don't know how you backlink a listing because when you usually click on most listings it goes straight to the website.

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The easiest way if they have reviews is to just click that link. If not click on the map itself and look at the listings that way by clicking more info.

As far as backlinks to the listing goes, I had this question when I first started doing map listings for people. From the people I have talked to and from what I have seen backlinks to the listing don't do anything.

Every time I have looked at a listing seoquake always shows the links as N/A. So I'm not even sure they get counted.

There are a lot of variables though that come into play when it comes to map listings. It's not that hard to get listed at the top but it takes time because the almighty G works at a snails pace.

marketingpro said:

I would like to pay someone to do this for me. I would like to get 4 businesses posted by the maps in 50 cities. If you can do this PM me

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have you taken a look at this thread

http://www.blackhatworld.com/blackhat-seo/member-downloads/142229-get-its-here-google-maps-cash.html

I've gone through the google maps cash procedures from start to finish and even added more sugar on tip. It works, BUT, it doesn't hold. There seems to be a need of "history" for the google places for google to keep a listing on top of the 7 box and the "history" comes from citations or a high ranking site that the google local listing refers to.