Loading ...According to search legend Bruce Clay, “Two years from now, Google will be predominantly a local search engine.” Pretty powerful prediction, huh? In this segment, Clay explains why he believes this will, in fact, come true.
He has recently conducted a lot of research pertaining to local. From it, he has found that 30 percent of all retailers show some type of local aspect in search results. He has also noticed that the search results vary when the location is changed even when the query is not location-specific.
“Clearly, Google is using the geolocation of the searcher to bias the search results,” he said.
Although these factors are important in this shift toward local, money seems to be the biggest motivator. For example, there are only so many people who can bid on a national term such shoes. However, every local region can bid on the term. If users geotarget, their ROI will increase. As people make more money following this principle, they will be more apt to spend further money on their PPC campaign, which, of course, means Google would make more money.
For all these reasons, Clay emphasizes the importance of getting involved in local.
“You either play in the local space… or you’re not going to get clicks even if you’re #1,” he points out.
As this shift occurs, he believes that there will be a massive influx of sites. In addition, he thinks that people will try to deceive SEOs, create new forms of spam, and more. In terms of brands, Clay said that people that have had a large brand presence would now realize that their brand would not be very effective with all the new local sites competing for the same generic brand.
He also adds, “The only way Google can maintain relevancy and allow those sites on the Web is to emphasize local even more.”
Do you agree with Bruce Clay’s prediction about Google turning into a local search engine?
To learn more about Bruce Clay’s predictions, watch the full interview.
Bruce is absolutely right. Even in Denmark – small country – everything is local search.
what do you mean “turning into” it already has….
What about online business which have no physical address. Like a ‘business for sale website’? How would local search effect this niche?
This is so contrary for national branding. Google’s effort to boost ad revenues for themselves is not good for merchants nor for consumers.
You’re hit the nail on the head, Google is greedy. You’re missing the whole point. The Internet is suppose to display web site results. I have an online store, local search does nothing to help me.
This is Googles chance to make an even playing field in search results. Why would I need the top ten results displayed without local information. Why should SEO be based on one website owning the market on every search result. If I’m searching for “cars” I would like to get some local results without the bloated top 10 every time.
Same in Australia. Local has been high on Google’s agenda for at least the past 12 months. Why wouldn’t they go this way. More people when they search want someone local to look after their problems, or supply something.
If you want cheap and are prepared to take a risk, you would type into Google: shoes from China, and be shown shoe manufacturers from China; instead of your local shoe store.
Probably even more obvious in countries like Australia, where we are seen as very distinct from the rest of the world just because of distance. Google has been shown local results on search, and then filling in the balance or results with “nearest” overseas results — using speaking the same language. So nearest to Australia is usually USA as the next nearest country also speaking English.
Nothing new Bruce — just highlighting the obvious.
If there is company who can beat google nowadays that will be possible. But it seems google has still many good applications and many people are using it. Once it was proved to be good for them, it will be always utilize but we don’t know what lies ahead. Like facebook, who thought that they will be that high ranking site for just a few years after? But we don’t really know what’s happening unless we read or heard from the latest news. Thanks for this info!
Pingback: Video: Google Changes Local Search to Place Search
Google knows where the future is. Breaking it down locally will dramically increase their future revenues.
sd6g79sdfgsd6f7gsd776sfg vkkqbs porn jpzqo bcv [url=http://www.onetwoporn.com/]porn[/url] fucuvqd hcj http://www.onetwoporn.com/ jgmzpql
Pingback: If You’re Not Local, How Can You Compete in an Increasingly Local Google?| Rodney Payne
Pingback: If You’re Not Local, How Can You Compete in an Increasingly Local Google?Page One Web Solutions | Page One Web Solutions
Pingback: If You’re Not Local, How Can You Compete in an Increasingly Local Google? « Business Link UK
Pingback: If You’re Not Local, How Can You Compete in an Increasingly Local Google? « Southeast Connect | Web design | Web development | Social media
Pingback: If You’re Not Local, How Can You Compete in an Increasingly Local Google? « Posh Pink
On the flip side, the good news is that there is a lot of work being done in the right direction.
Pingback: Local.com Adds Deals Service, Location Data, & Ad Unit to Its Offerings | WebProNews
Pingback: Local.com Adds Deals Service, Location Data, & Ad Unit to Its Offerings | Popular Events