Google Maps and the Onebox Hate Advertising Agencies!!

[earlpearl]

Here are some really wierd findings for searching on Google Local and/or the insertion of a onebox into organic searches.

I guess Google hates advertising Agencies:


I'm not going to do screen shots on all of them but take a look at the onebox inserts for these searches: --Washington DC

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&r...dc&btnG=Search

The one box includes 3 hotels. Take a look at the longer list of "advertising agencies" and you'll find more hotels, The Kennedy Center (for performing arts), a museum, a a law firm.

Pittsburgh http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&r...ies+Pittsburgh

One box results--2 Universities plus a law firm and get into the depth of listings and it includes hospitals, a museum, etc.

Baltimore--http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&r...Md&btnG=Search

Baltimore Natl Aquarium, Walters Art Museum, University of Baltimore....and go deeper and you'll find more Universities and the website for the Maryland Transit Authority....among others.

I know there is a debate about whether SEO should be performed by advertising agencies or SEO's.....but geez....I think the agencies should correct this wierd phenomena before they start trying to get web business!!

[pops]

In St. Louis we have the Science Center, Washington University and Fox Theatre. Of course if you try a local search for SEO you don't even get a one box.

[earlpearl]

I further looked up the related phrases;
Advertising firms Washington DC
Advertising firms in Washington DC
Advertising firms near Washington DC

I looked the advertising firms phrase in an organic search using google.com and then tried them for google.com/maps.

Organic searches for the first 2 searches turned up strictly organic results w/out the one box. The 3rd search using the term "near" turned up a one box...with the following results

A onebox with 3 advertising agencies. But go to the list of more results.....and the first several firms listed are ALL law firms...

the referencing document into this list was the same in each case....

When viewing a listing, consider the state advertising restrictions to which lawyers and law firms must adhere, as well as our West Legal Directory disclaimers ..." findlaw.com

In each case the findlaw.com reference was to an attorney's name in the firm with that standard disclaimer.

Using Google Maps....any combo of the phrase advertising firm and Washington DC turned up a list/ranking w/law firms on top (as above)

Underneath a slew of lawfirms were several advertising agencies. They were referenced into this Google maps rankings via different directories that must have been accessed by Google.

There were no direct listings in the G Maps local business center amongst the top number of listings.

Its a very weak system currently and only 1/2 functioning.

While my main business site and some others are showing due to direct submissions into the local business center...and some effort at optimizing aspects of the google maps algo (as reported on by Bill Slawski) it is a very frustrating source of information at this point.

[MiriamEllis]

The results are relevant for San Francisco, though. I just checked.

This is weird, Dave! Interesting find.
Miriam

[earlpearl]

Miriam:

I looked up advertising agencies in San Francisco in organic and maps.

I came up w/ the usual list of hotels, museums, schools, etc either directly from Maps, or via the Maps list accessed off the onebox in an organic search.

After a slew of those types of clients I found some law firms. How wierd.

I think that Google has mis referenced the category. Secondly, from reviewing a lot of these firms in various cities...I don't think that many of them ever submitted to Google Local Business Center.

[pittbug]

Results are much better if you use agency.

[earlpearl]

Thanks Pittbug. I looked at 2 cities...and all the businesses were advertising agencies of one sort or another.

two interesting observations.

Google Maps needs to handle stemming/plurals/ and secondary words better to do a more reputable job for giving accurate information.

On a wholly different basis....when looking at the advertising/marketing/communcations firms on those lists....many didn't submit to Google Local Business Center.