A I have redesigned a few websites recently and they all have Google accounts, so their reviews and a map should appear next to their listings in Google. It did before I re-did the sites but now it doesn't. Any ideas what I can do to make them both come together again?

Usually the map appears if you type a local listing say you type in Tree Surgery Brighton

 

Yet if you just google Tree Surgery the map does appear but not as high.

 

If you were then to google say the top response in Google local maps for Brighton Tree Surgery. No map appears next to the listing.

 

From my experience it tends only to be the higher clicked through links in maps that seem to have the maps appear next to them in listings if you search their business name. If someone knows different though, would be happy to learn.

Doesn't it just depend on if, and how, a business had added themselves to Google Places, Google's business listings?

 

http://www.google.com/local/add

 

Add it there, with all the correct information and a map will appear if your business name is searched for. Keyword competition determines placement also of course...

Doesn't it just depend on if, and how, a business had added themselves to Google Places, Google's business listings?

 

I assume that as the business I highlighted above is in local listings for the generic term, with link to their site that they are in Google Places? it sounds just like futureproof's clients that are submitted in Google places but not showing a map next to their listing?

Hi guys, well ive just set up a new one for one of the clients (via the link above) so i can have a better idea of whats going on. It says to wait 24 hours for it to take effect, so if it still doesnt show up then il be back on here asking for help!

This is an incredibly indepth (US focussed sadly) take on Local search

 

http://bit.ly/dngCrk

 

Not sure that it really answers our query, very insightful nontheless.

 

Right i've created the account in full and it should appear next to Tamarinds when you search for it in Google. So why doesn't it, what else do I need to do?..

In Southampton?

 

It does if you search 'Tamarinds Southampton' just not top. It's odd isn't it. Wish I had a better answer for you.

Yeah thats the one, hm I don't know what to do then...anyone else got any ideas??

It appears 4th and the map is really small, how to i now get it to appear at the top and with a larger map?

Don't you just hate it when Google spins you out like this!

 

Okay, been thinking about this, and I asked an SEOmoz Q&A guru type a similar question a few weeks ago. She said that Google takes into account in every search your geographic location according to your IP address. So I'm near Brighton, if I type 'plumber' I get a map and listings for local plumbers (although the map listings do not appear near the top).

 

However, I also think in this case it is to do with user intent. Generically typing in Tamarinds is throwing back generic answers because the intent on the search isn't clear.

 

The person could be searching for anything to do with that keyword. So Google is throwing up lots of posibilities. Type in a geographic reference, user intent becomes a lot clearer so that map appears. However, not at the top, because the Tamarinds website link appears. I would suggest that Google thinks the website itself is more useful for that search than the map.

 

Just noticed there is no embedded Google map on the webiste - maybe this would help? Add that into the site (make sure Google can find it) and maybe that will shove it up the listing. It might be me, but I can't find a H1 tag on the location page either - again, maybe that will help too?

 

Hope that all helps!

 

PS. I'm a little fascinated that if Google takes into account your IP address, why its not showing me the nearest restaurant to me as above, even though it does for a 'plumber' ... the mind boggles.

Two good suggestions there, hmm. The thing is though that as with a few other sites I have done, the map appeared next to the site always. For example PB PAT:

 

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=pbpat&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

 

...before I redesigned this one, all you had to type was 'pbpat' into Google and the map would appear next to it. Same with the Soul Cellar:

 

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=soul+cellar&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

 

I really don't know what to do and It can't be the map, as neither of them had maps before, may be to H1 I don't know...

Google Maps is a service of Google contribution powerful, simple to use mapping proficiency and local business information, including business locations, contact information and driving instructions.