Google maps places... how does it work?

Hi all,

I have a quick question about google maps. For example;

If you do a search for say, "hairdresses in new york", you get thousands of places. You get pages of results which start from A through to J on the first page.

Now, if you scroll around a different area on the map, those listings from A-J change. Or if you zoom in more sometimes this will change the listings too.

My question is this;

How is google making the decision to display the listings from A-J? Is it by a rank system also? Is it a random generation of places in the current view? Or is it a paid attribute?

Thanks for your help on this question

I think its just most popular shows up first

Is there a way to take advantage of google maps even if you don't sell locally?

Burdsthawurd,

Google put out the Venice update earlier this year and as a result, localized searches are much more enhanced for users. Google bases the results it displays for local listings on rankings in from its overall algorithm. Also, users are given results that are highly relevant to their location. Other factors like click-through rate, reviews and keywords also play a role in the results that are displayed.

Unless you have a location in the area you want to rank, it will be difficult (probably impossible) to beat out other businesses in the SERP's unless you and the other businesses you are competing with do not have physical locations by nature.

More on the update,

http://www.seomoz.org/blog/understand-and-rock-the-google-venice-update

Hope that answers your question,

Shawn

Thanks so much for the info, exactly what I was after!

google for more tutorials..so many results..

I think this update is going to change the whole way we do SEO. Things got a lot more complicated for local business.