Questions on Google's Geolocation System

[wige]

Over the past week or so, I have been noticing for some queries, Google is resorting the search engine results based on where I live. As I am normally logged in, I hadn't noticed this before, but I ran into a few questions as I was exploring this function, and was curious if anyone might have some more information about this...

1. What types of queries does it take to trigger the Geolocation? I have not been able to find any particular pattern for when geolocation was used.

2. How do you tell Google where your business is located so that you can be sure you show up in the correct place?

3. Is there a way to get Google to show you what they would display a user coming from a particular city without having to track down a proxy located in that city?

[kgun]

First:

You assume that google dot com is used and not a regional version like google dot no?

Originally Posted by wige

1. What types of queries does it take to trigger the Geolocation? I have not been able to find any particular pattern for when geolocation was used.

An example I can think of. You search for: pizza restaurants.

Originally Posted by wige

2. How do you tell Google where your business is located so that you can be sure you show up in the correct place?

Logging Ip information.

Originally Posted by wige

3. Is there a way to get Google to show you what they would display a user coming from a particular city without having to track down a proxy located in that city?

Using a proxy or surfing invisible (eg. by using opera:config) should be more tricky, but nothing is impossible as long as there are digital footprints / tracks.

[wige]

Originally Posted by kgun

First:

You assume that google dot com is used and not a regional version like google dot no?

I have only seen it happen on Google.com, and for only 5-10 searches out of about a hundred I tried.

An example I can think of. You search for: pizza restaurants.

But it doesn't come up for that. Searches for stores, sports teams and movie listings don't seem to come utilize localization to alter the results. From what it looks like to me, it is arbitrary what searches it is used on.

Logging Ip information.

My web server is in Utah. My business is located in Philadelphia. My site shows up in first place when localization is used on a relevant query. How does Google know where my business is? The IP address goes back to Utah. Is Google looking at addresses in the site itself? Or is it using WHOIS information? Or is there some other source?

Using a proxy or surfing invisible (eg. by using opera:config) should be more tricky, but nothing is impossible as long as there are digital footprints / tracks.

But as an SEO, how can you track how your site appears in the listings now that Google presents different listings based on your city?

[kgun]

This is an interesting discussion. I await further input before I comment.

[wige]

Because the application of the geolocation seems so inconsistent right now, here are a few screenshots. First, this is what the results page looks like after entering the search term. Note the message below the search box.

Next, this is the message if you click More Details (the IP address was edited out)

The search term I used was "philadelphia eagles tickets". It is interesting that "philadelphia" "philadelphia tickets" "philadelphia eagles" "new york giants tickets" did not get the localization message.

[SemAdvance]

Youre missing the fact that Tickets can be purchased online so there is no real need for geo location to come into play.

Try something that would make the most sense to purchase locally such as truck axle, weights, philadelphia cheesesteak ((Genos Pats Jims all rock!!!!)) a car etc.

Google is very smart at determining what makes sense for the search query as well.

Also try to remember that as there are no standards to web publishing, Google is going to be flawed at times, or operate differently, from what one would consider the perfect criteria.

;->

[villageloop]

Originally Posted by wige

2. How do you tell Google where your business is located so that you can be sure you show up in the correct place?

I know that kgun already answered this, but I interpretted your question a little differently and don't know if this is what you are looking for or not, but if you are not already listed, it cannot hurt to list your business here: http://www.google.com/local/add/splashPage

Im not sure how this information is pooled together, but I am sure if you are listing this with the same account you use for other google services, it should be smart enough to pick out the details and put everything together.

Either way, it can't hurt to list yourself in another place if you haven't already (or at least customize your listing if you are already there).

[wige]

Originally Posted by SemAdvance

Youre missing the fact that Tickets can be purchased online so there is no real need for geo location to come into play.

This is part of my issue. Geolocation is not relevant to tickets per se, but "philadelphia eagles tickets" is one of only a handful of searches that actually triggered this feature, while searches for restaurants and movie listings either did not trigger it, or they came up with a prompt asking me to input a city.

[SemAdvance]

Originally Posted by wige

This is part of my issue. Geolocation is not relevant to tickets per se, but "philadelphia eagles tickets" is one of only a handful of searches that actually triggered this feature, while searches for restaurants and movie listings either did not trigger it, or they came up with a prompt asking me to input a city.

Yes and this is likely due to the more commercial nature of the beast.

Movies theater chains and local eating establishments likely have no real idea of Googles power, probably have not optimized their sites for geo ip segmenting.

Ticket brokers however (we have one who is a regular here) are acutely aware of the power of the Internet for their business and as such a great deal of the sites are likely better optimized for geo ip issues....

Remember computers do not make mistakes....

The people who program them do!!!!!!!!!!!

[Orion]

in your Google webmaster tools you can geolocate your business (website) on their maps doing so triggers the map (geolocator) when someone from that area searches for terms your business site can be found under.

did that make any sense? lol

[Katt]

My company is located in Texas but has offices in several other states and sells nationwide - how do I convey this to Google so they don't restrict my websites to show up only in Texas searches? This concerns me. I already have PPC but can't afford to spend more.

[Webnauts]

Originally Posted by wige

Over the past week or so, I have been noticing for some queries, Google is resorting the search engine results based on where I live. As I am normally logged in, I hadn't noticed this before, but I ran into a few questions as I was exploring this function, and was curious if anyone might have some more information about this...

1. What types of queries does it take to trigger the Geolocation? I have not been able to find any particular pattern for when geolocation was used.

2. How do you tell Google where your business is located so that you can be sure you show up in the correct place?

3. Is there a way to get Google to show you what they would display a user coming from a particular city without having to track down a proxy located in that city?

Did you try using GeoRSS? Official Google Maps API Blog: KML and GeoRSS Support Added to the Google Maps API

Here is a generator you can create a GeoRSS on the fly: GeoRSS maker

[Orion]

Originally Posted by Katt

My company is located in Texas but has offices in several other states and sells nationwide - how do I convey this to Google so they don't restrict my websites to show up only in Texas searches? This concerns me. I already have PPC but can't afford to spend more.

The geolocation in webmaster tools is by country.. not state..

The state / city coming up will come from having addresses on your site as well as locating your business locations on google maps.. if you pinpoint and make public all your locations each one will come up for people in those areas.. At least that's how I believe it to work and from what I've seen it has.

lol.. can't guarantee a thing you can't control eh!

[Webnauts]

Originally Posted by Katt

My company is located in Texas but has offices in several other states and sells nationwide - how do I convey this to Google so they don't restrict my websites to show up only in Texas searches? This concerns me. I already have PPC but can't afford to spend more.

You might would like to check our Local Search Optimization tips: Local Search Optimization Tips - SEO Workers

[Katt]

Thanks webnauts and orion. I ran a few test searches and didn't trigger google's geolocator so maybe I don't need to worry about that. One thing I did find is that I ranked well for every city and state I have listed on the website, but I have failed to include nearby major cities and don't appear in SERPS at all for terms including those cities, so I have work to do...

[full house]

One thing I did find is that I ranked well for every city and state I have listed on the website

its a good news for you. I think google show right location its just that you are promoting in wrong place.

[xuchunfeng1984]

very interesting post. i like this article. receive many knowledge here.

[Webnauts]

Some additional tips: How To Geocode An Address & Optimize Location Pages

[Webnauts]

Originally Posted by xuchunfeng1984

very interesting post. i like this article. receive many knowledge here.

OFF-TOPIC:

Dear co-member,

Please try and contribute more to this forum through your posting and topic replies.

Posts such as yours...

"very interesting post. i like this article. receive many knowledge here"

... do not constitute as contributory of productive. When forum members receive a topic reply notification they expect to return to the thread and find a constructive response to their post. It is highly frustrating when posters do not offer anything to the discussion and it is a waste of forum members (often precious) time.

These type of one line replies are expectable if you contribute well in other areas of the forum but not when they constitute your only input.

Thank you,

John