Question: Given that fact that Yellow Pages, Super Pages, Yelp and other “yellow page” type services now include geo tagging, address, and often a map of a business location, would you say that getting these entries could
be helpful in your organic rankings, if you have a geographically
centered Keyword?

Todd: If a business cares at all about local search, they have to go after these entries. Here is why: First, if a searcher is sophisticated enough to actually search with a geotargeted term, the local results are the first thing you see on the SERPS. In addition, for many local listings there are sub categories linking off to sites that google feels provide valuable information about that business.

Quality Local Information

This means that sites which are acting as local aggregators of business information are going to motivated to provide thorough and accurate information to be listed there. This will greatly improve the overall search experience.

Google is Getting Geographic

Second, it seems many people simply search a term like “pizza” or “car dealer”. Search on these terms and Google will ask you to enter a zip code to better refine your search locally. This is just another example of the importance that is being placed on local results.

Also, I think Google is trying to take the emphasis away from other aggregators like Superpages and try to keep it all “in house” so to speak. For that reason, I think it’s important now more than ever for the 100% local business to position themselves to take advantage of these local results.

Advice for Local Business Owners

The bottom line is, if you are a local business, it doesn’t make sense to go after broad keywords. Geotarget. Do everything you can to get listed in these results. Of course, to make sure your site shows up in these results is a whole other SEO discussion.

It started out as a fling…I heard that it was a good thing..Peer pressure you know. So I put my site out there on del.icio.us. It seemed harmless at first..and then I saw that link appear in my google site maps! I went out to Reddit.com and bookmarked my self again…. and then blinklist.com and kept seeing the back links show up on my site links!

I know these are just free for alls, and lord knows who has gotten links from these sites before… it can’t be good for me I suppose…

I just can’t seem to help my self! Compared to other methods of having a good solid traditional link partner that you know and are personally familiar with, these link flings are addictive!

I’m sorry, my traditional link partners, but I’m going in another direction…. I think that we should still be freinds but I’m not going to be spending as much time with you as I used to….

 Furl.net, claimid.com and linkagogo.com…. I’ll see you kiddos later wink wink!