Google recently made a huge change in the look of the Seattle search engine results for local searches with the newly introduced Google Place Search. This new change in the local search engine results only affects searches including a geographical location (”Seattle search engine optimization company,” for example).

Enhanced Local Search Results

If you sell on a local Seattle level and you’re frustrated about big businesses in other areas of the country or world outranking you, Google Place Search now gives your local business the advantage. Google now considers the information in your Google Places listing along with your website’s relevance when delivering local search results. This means when someone includes a geographical keyword like Seattle in an internet search, local businesses appear above non-local results.

With more than 20% of searchers including a geographical location, Google created the Place Search solution to meet the needs of local searchers and local businesses. The seven pack list of businesses and left side map that appeared in a local search before is gone, replaced by a map at the top of the page with the Place Search results extending in front of other results down the page.

The Effect On Non-Local Websites

Websites that don’t operate locally lose out with Google Place Search. While this doesn’t dramatically affect most non-local websites, it does have a negative effect on some, particularly those in the travel industry. For example, local Seattle hotels will now rank higher than major hotel chains in the organic search results.

Seattle Search Engine Optimization

Google Place Search makes Seattle search engine optimization more challenging. When done well, local Seattle search engine marketing can dramatically increase your business. If you have a local Seattle business, you must optimize for Google Place Search or you risk not appearing in local search engine results at all.

You can improve your organic search engine results for both a local Google Place Search and a non-local search by getting listed in Google Places, optimizing your listing, soliciting reviews from your customers, and submitting to local directories.

Get Started Today

If you’re not listed in Google Places, the first step is getting an optimized listing so you don’t lose organic search engine visibility. For expert help in Seattle search engine marketing that includes an optimized Google Place Search listing, contact Seattle SEO Consultant today.