Update July, 3rd 2009: Added 12 local SEO & search resources suggested by readers in the comment section and on Sphinn + some newly researched links.
The most obvious trend when it comes to SEO is “going local”. Ever since Google introduced Google Maps and Local Business Center and later added local search results to Universal Search displaying them on top of everything else businesses everywhere strive to be there. Additionally the proliferation of smartphones and netbooks accelerates this development even more.
You have to perform in local search and on sites that enable users to find local businesses in their respective area. Classic SEO is just not enough anymore for small business owners and location based big business.
There is already a plethora of very helpful resources that deal with local SEO. While to some extent local SEO resembles traditional SEO with on site measures and link building the substantial differences have even led to a specialization in the industry.
By now we have SEO specialists and publications predominantly dealing with local search issues and local SEO.
Thus I complied a list of the most useful resources, mostly from blogs: 55 local SEO & search resources for business.
Why do I add the seemingly obvious “for business” part in the headline? In most cases you won’t optimize your private homepage to be found in a specific area. Local search is a mostly business only domain.
Local SEO & Search Blogs
- Mihmorandum: The Small Business Web Design + Local SEO Blog
- Local SEO Guide – Local search engine optimization blog
- Local Search, SEO, and Internet Marketing Blog | Dev Basu
- Local Search Optimization by Martijn Beijk
- Understanding Google Maps & Local Search
- Small Business Search Marketing by Matt McGee
- Local SEO Blogs | GeoLocalSEO
Local SEO Overviews for Starters and Lists
- SEO Tips for Local Businesses – ClickZ
- 25 Ways to Optimize for Local Search – Local SEO Tips
- 8 Simple Steps to Make a Page More “Local”
- Local Search Optimization Tips – SEO Workers
- How to Improve Local Search Results – SEO Tip Week 31 | Big Oak SEO Blog
- Small Business SEO: How To Launch That Web site
- Tips for Local Search Engine Optimization for Your Site : Natural Search Blog
- Regional / Local Search Engine Marketing Tips and Strategies | SEO Book.com
- How To Do Local SEO For Your Website in Five Minutes (or So) | Local SEO Guide
- BusinessOnLine SEO Blog: How to Get Your Business Listed in Local Search Engines
- Mihmorandum | A Framework for Thinking About Local Search Campaigns | Local SEO
Local Search Ranking Factors
- Mihmorandum | Local vs Traditional SEO: Why Citation Is the New Link | General Marketing
- Local Search Ranking Factors | Google & Yahoo Local SEO Best Practices
- Mihmorandum | Local Search Ranking Factors, Vol. 2 | Google
- Local Search Ranking Factor Statistical Research | SEO Scoop
- 10 Likely Elements of Google’s Local Search Algorithm
- How a Search Engine Might Determine Whether a Search Involves a Geographical Intent
- Google Places Turns 1: What’s Working, What’s Not
Local SEO Techniques
- Local SEO Tips Pt. 1 of 3 – Creating a Profile – An SEO Blog by James Harrison
- Anatomy & Optimization Of A Local Business Profile
- Think Local, Act Social – Search Engine Watch (SEW)
- 8 Social Media Sites for Local Networking
- How to Optimize Local Business Profiles for Free Local Directories
- 5 Ways Negative Reviews are Good for Business
- Using Images For Local SEO
- Local and Global Popularity: Successful Blogs | extreme webmaster evernerve
- Local SEO with Event Promotion | Online Marketing Blog
- Local Business + Yelp App + iPhone = Money | Internet Marketing Blog
- Does Including A Physical Address On Your Website Help Rankings?
- Get Found Locally Without a Website
- 3 Keys To Success For Local Search SEO
- Cultivating Local Needs For Business Profit – Search Engine Guide Blog
- 5 SEO tips for local restaurants, with a side of usability | Jeff Woelker : Chicago SEO, SEM, and Social Media Consultant
Local SEO Internationally
- Local SEO’s Share Geo Location Tips From Around The World | Distilled blog
- Hello world! There is no Europe! (Guestpost)
- Country Specific Local SEO Tips » SEO Blog
- Geotargeting Location by IP Address = SEO Death | Local SEO Guide
Local SEO Case Studies
- How Naked Pizza is using Twitter — Social Media Optimization
- Local SEO – A CAse Study – SEO Book
- Local Search Case Study: Doux Vintage « Content Writing Advice and SEO
Local Analytics
- Tracking Local search Traffic with Analytics » Understanding Google Maps & Local Search
- Google Analytics Search Ranking Filters for New Google Organic URLs
- Google Analytics For Local Search Part 1 of 7: Tracking Traffic From The 10 Pack « seOverflow Blog
Other Local Search and SEO Resources
- Google Local Search Glossary via @slominski
- List Your Business on Google Maps, Yahoo Local & More | GetListed.org
- Interview with Dev Basu – Local SEO | NorthSouthMedia Blog
- (Now) 38 Local Blog Directories : HyperlocalBlogger
- How to Add A Bing Local Business Listing
Initially I planned to compile a list of both local and mobile SEO resources due to their obvious correlation. After some research the sheer amount of must read resources for local SEO & search outgrew the combined list quickly. Thus I will publish a new list in 2 weeks from now: 30 Mobile SEO Resources.
As always this list doesn’t claim to be complete. So you’re welcome to add your links or resources you are missing in the comment section. You can also add mobile SEO articles for the next list post to be included.
Last updated: May 18th, 2011.
Wonder if my interview with Dev Basu about local seo is good enough for your list ? http://www.northsouthmedia.co.uk/blog/dev-basu-interview-local-seo/
awesome list! here is a resource i have heard good feedback on: http://getlisted.org – though i don’t know if it falls into the context of Local SEO Resources.
Thanks guys! They both fit perfectly. I’ll collect a little more additions and then edit the post at once.
I’d like to nominate a case study link, http://catchsearchmarketing.com/local-search-training-community/local-seo-case-studies.
Also nominate a new category, “local search training” http://catchsearchmarketing.com/local-search-training-community.
Hello,
Thank You for these resources. You have some good authoritative endorsements.
I would like to self promote my work. I have a 184 pages, step by step free ebook on marketing local business online. I have an agency with 100′s of National clients we’ve worked with for 5 years with consistent and predictable results.
I would like to expose your readers to this free information and free blog. Please visit http://www.scott-gallagher.net.
Great list Tad. May have to rip it off and put it on my blog :)
Another reason to use Google Local Search is that Google wants us to. It is widely believed that Google gives your website a little more authority by listing in Local Search. In other words, Google will reward us for listing in Google Local.
Here’s another case study: http://www.findandconvert.com/get-found-on-the-web-without-a-website/
Would this link fit into your local SEO?
http://www.seowebhelp.com/2009/03/searching-for-visitors-search-engine-marketing
Thanks for making the list. I’m going to visit ALL of them to see what new information I can soak into my brain.
My business model is pretty much based on the local search aspect. Thanks for the resources. Just tweeted! ;-)
We just started this 7 part series you might want to add to the list: Pimp Google Analytics For Local Search Part 1 of 7: Tracking Traffic From The 10 Pack http://bit.ly/WBImN
I’ve also compiled this list here: 5 SEO tips for local restaurants, with a side of usability: http://www.jeffwoelker.com/2009/05/29/5-seo-tips-for-local-restaurants-with-a-side-of-usability/
Hey Jeff,
the topic is right but the cases are too short and the pages too salesy, maybe you can point out or write a blog post that elaborates without overselling?
Hey Scott,
I came across your blog and I almost added an article of yours to the list already. Thanks for suggestion. I’ll include it.
Andrew, why not? Ask Kevin for permission and we might create a win 2 win situation here.
Bernie, thanks for the addition!
“SEOWebHelp”: This is a little too short and broad to me. Maybe you can add something more substantial?
Hey Gerald, good to hear. Why don’t you share some of your insights then? I surely won’t outrank you in your area ;-) !
Mike, Jeff: Excellent resources, will be added!
I know you have Mihmorandum elsewhere in the list, but I would recommend adding his citations series into the International section http://www.davidmihm.com/blog/local-seo/international-citations/
Excellent list! I am really excited about the new possibilities local seo bring. There are quite a lot of ‘easy wins’ because it still is a developing area in seo.
That’s an excellent resource for people to utilize in their local search strategy. Will be sharing this on Twitter with three of my profiles that would be contextual. This will help anyone that wants more information or even the person who’s never implemented it.
This is a really great compendium of local SEO resources. Thanks!!
As usual, a great list for people to grow their market..
Thanks so much for sharing.
best local seo list found in internet :)
As a photographer marketing myself on the web I find this list of resources to be useful and informative. Now it’s going to take a bit to get through.
Yes – we fired our local SEO guru – as he was just depositing checks and nothing else – thank you for this resource – as we are starting from scratch.
Local seo takes more finesse than standard search rankings where you can throw thousands of links at a website and rank top 3. Mihm’s local search ranking factors is a good starting place. I like how he does one each year.
this is without a doubt the best resource i’ve found for local seo. thanks
Great resource for SEO, thanks for sharing
I love the listing it will help me in the web site that I am right now.