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So, did Google\u2019s Possum make your website play dead? Probably not, at least not if you\u2019re doing the right things. Here are a few items you need to keep an eye on\u2026<\/p>\n
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Despite the issues the search engine is having with marketers who are trying to game the system, it seems like a safe bet that even more focus on local search results is coming in the near future. That\u2019s because Google has to make this change. It\u2019s something customers have shown they want, both by using geographic keywords and including phrases like \u201cnear me\u201d with mobile queries. So, even though the exact structure of a search might shift, the need to \u201cgo local\u201d is going to get stronger and stronger.<\/p>\n
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Already, it seems as if Google is moving past primary indicators of geographic location to determine where businesses really are. For instance, just because you have the name of the city or state on your website \u2013 or just one page in your website \u2013 it doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re going to automatically appear near the top of the search listings for that area. However, in the near term there probably is still an advantage to being internet visible in several different locations, given that many businesses still have an engaged and even basic local SEO and Google has to generate search results from somewhere.<\/p>\n
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Combine the first couple of factors together and you can understand why Google is turning to verifiable third parties to double check location. It may not trust all the information you have in your website, but if the Better Business Bureau (for example) has you listed at a certain address, complete with area code and ZIP Code, you\u2019re probably there. Expect that the role and value of corroborating geographic details is going to be even bigger going forward. The content found in official business directories, news stories, and even online reviews is going to play a big part in telling Google where you do business.<\/p>\n
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As with all Google algorithm updates, Possum is now part of the landscape. Now is a great time to start emphasizing geography in your content. It\u2019s also a good idea to be sure you can prove your business is in all the geographic areas you are optimizing your website for.<\/p>\n
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So, did Google\u2019s Possum make your website play dead? Probably not, at least not if you\u2019re doing the right things. Here are a few items you need to keep an eye on\u2026 Google is Going Tighter With Geography Despite the issues the search engine is having with marketers who are trying to game the system, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1183,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1182","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n