3 Ways to Identify and Fix Local Listing Citations

3 Ways to Identify and Fix Local Listing Citations

In the ever-evolving landscape of local search engine optimization (SEO), maintaining accurate and consistent business listings across various online directories and platforms is crucial for visibility and success. Local citations, which include your business’s name, address, and phone number (NAP), play a pivotal role in how search engines perceive and rank your business in local search results. However, inconsistencies in these citations can lead to confusion, duplicate listings, and a potential drop in local rankings.

The Importance of Consistent Local Citations

Consistent local citations act as a trust signal for search engines, reinforcing the legitimacy and authenticity of your business information. When your NAP details are consistent across multiple reputable online directories, search engines are more likely to prioritize your business in local search results. Conversely, inconsistencies or conflicting information can undermine your local SEO efforts, making it harder for potential customers to find you online.

Best Citation Sources

Getlisted.org released a map which details the best citation sources by U.S. city. Their methodology for determining the best citations per city is explained on the page:

Using Whitespark’s Local Citation Finder, we searched Google for the most common keywords within 71 local search categories across 53 large US cities, 20 medium-sized cities, and 20 smaller cities. We then scored the sites inversely based on ranking position combined with overall number of occurrences. The sites that appeared most often and with the highest rankings were deemed “best”.” – Getlisted.org

Why This Matters

By starting with the top citation sources for your city, you can systematically review and correct any inaccurate NAP information on these high-authority platforms. Addressing issues on these influential sites can often resolve duplicate listings and inconsistencies that may have trickled down to other, less prominent directories.

Rebranding and Name Change Issues

A great guide to changing business names & SEO was posted on Search Engine Land by Andrew Shortland. This details all the steps needed to successfully change your business name without effecting your current +Local and organic SEO strategies.

What This Means To You

Failure to properly manage a business name change can result in duplicate listings, conflicting information, and a potential loss of local visibility. By following best practices and carefully monitoring your NAP consistency during and after the transition, you can minimize disruptions and maintain a strong local presence. Bottom line, proceed with EXTREME caution!

Local Search Ecosystem: Fall 2012 Update

A wonderful way to look at the complex Local algorithm, David Mihm explains in his recently released infographic on the Local Search Ecosystem where the big and small Local Search sites grab their information for your business.

By focusing your efforts on the most authoritative sources, you can leverage the trickle-down effect, where corrections made on top-tier platforms often propagate to smaller, less influential directories. This targeted approach not only saves time but also ensures that your accurate business information is consistently reflected across the local search landscape.

Consistency Is Key

Maintaining consistent and accurate local citations is an ongoing process that requires diligence and attention to detail. By leveraging authoritative citation sources, addressing rebranding and name change issues promptly, and understanding the intricacies of the local search ecosystem, you can effectively manage your business’s online presence and ensure optimal visibility in local search results.

Remember, local SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. Consistent effort and a strategic approach to fixing local listing inconsistencies will pay dividends in the form of increased local visibility, trustworthiness, and ultimately, more customers finding their way to your business. If you are looking for help with your local SEO contact us at Infogenix and we would be happy to help improve your local presence online!

Social Media Resolutions for 2019

Social Media Resolutions for 2019

It’s the new year, and you’re probably setting up quarterly and yearly goals for your business. Your plans might include optimizing your website and starting some new PPC campaigns. As your social media marketing experts in Utah and Vegas, we recommend you also set some goals and resolutions on your social media pages.

Social media has been rising in importance and usage for the last few years, and it’s here to stay. If you are new to social media marketing, read our article about the importance of social media marketing, or our social media page. If you’re already experienced in social media marketing, take a look at these tips for fully optimizing your social media campaigns for 2019.

5 Social Media Resolutions

  1. Utilize Live Video

    While traditional video is still a very effective post type, live video is overtaking it in conversions and click-through rate. Your viewers on Instagram and Facebook are interested in seeing the real you–not the trimmed, scripted version of your business in your pre-made videos. We recommend you start with a Q&A session where commenters can ask questions live and hear their answer. It’s a great way to get your audience engaged and to trust your brand!

  2. Get More Length Variety in Your Content

    Content is still king, but having a lot of long or short posts in a row gets repetitive. For cornerstone content, or content that is a big part of your business, we recommend 1,000 words or more, interspersed with “snackable” content, that people can consume in a few minutes.

  3. Engage With Your Audience’s Content

    If your followers are posting photos or videos using your product, connect with them! This is a great way to show your followers that your business is fun, inviting, and that you care about your user base.

  4. Get Some Influencers

    Social media influencers are all the rage, and studies show that having a celebrity endorse your product or service on their blog or social media platforms can greatly increase your conversions. Lots of influencers are open to discussing your terms–just make sure you have everything agreed upon beforehand!

  5. Use Facebook and Instagram Stories

    The short videos that disappear after a day started with Snapchat, but Instagram and Facebook show more promise with business marketing. Use these stories for behind-the-scenes content, showcasing your brand’s personality and increasing trust.

Contact Us Today!

See what these changes in your social media marketing campaign can do for your business! If you have any questions about starting a social or digital marketing campaign, give us a call today! Our SEO and Social media experts in Utah and Las Vegas have several years of experience under their belt. Give us a call, and let us help you grow your business!

The Holiday Algorithm

The Holiday Algorithm

If you work in the medical or health industries, you may have heard of the dreaded algorithm change that occurs during the winter months. The gift-giving holidays are coming up, and Google has learned that people search more for products and gifts. So, to get the best search engine results, they place more importance on retail instead of other queries.

So, what does this mean for you, if you own a medical business?

What Is an Algorithm Change?

In the world of the Internet, nothing is constant. Search engines like Google roll out changes every day, to make sure that their search engine is best serving the people that use it. The major and minor algorithm changes that have rolled out over the years can affect your rankings. You may remember your SEO specialists talking about algorithm changes that negatively affect websites with thin content, or websites that aren’t optimized for mobile phones. These algorithm changes, while they seem to happen at random, are a targeted way to best reflect user intent and the current trends of the Internet.

What Does This Have to Do With the Holidays?

If you think about your own personal Internet usage, what time of the year are you Google-searching retail the most? Most would answer just after Black Friday, to just after Christmas Day. That’s when retail stores have their deals, to get more people in the door to buy their products. The search engines are aware of this, and adjust the algorithm to better serve these retail searches.

As a result, the search engines are focusing less on the good SEO practices you’ve worked hard on, like your meta titles, descriptions, and keywords. They are looking for product descriptions, lists, and deals. If you’re not selling a product, the search engines won’t pay as much attention.

What Can I do?

First of all, don’t panic.

This algorithm change is only temporary. You may see your rankings and traffic fluctuate from November to January, but you can expect these numbers to go back up after the holiday rush. Just keep following the SEO best practices, and creating informative and engaging content about your services, and you should be fine.

If you’re wondering how to best follow the SEO best practice guidelines, give a call to one of our SEO specialists today! We have over 10 years of experience doing SEO work for all industries–especially medical. We will be happy to help!

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