Ranking for keywords with "area name" and "city name"

[RvX]

I noticed that I was ranking for long tail keywords that contained area or city name not connected with my site.
I'm already ranking for keywords that contain my area name or city, but I have no other cities or areas in my site's content. I even haven't linked my site with such anchor texts. Strange..

In relation to this search results diversification thread, your site might've been put in a broader category (state), which allowed visitors to find you. Though another possibility is that you either linked out to sites, which Google recognizes as being in other locations, or someone linked to you with the incorrect anchor text (possible, but much less probable).

This is what I posted in another thread with A.N.Onym reply.

I am optimizing that site for: "something [city]", "something [area]", so the backlinks often contain city name and area name. There are also some other city names (rather little towns - they are small) in the content of that page.
//There are also outbound links from site with that cities as anchors (for example to article on Wiki or other sources).
I use only one city name and one area name for linking that site.

I got ranked for "something [another city]" and "something [another area]" SERPs show up to 400 000 results for that phrases.

I suspect that that site is ranking for that keywords because:
1. There are links to site from pages that contain somewhere in the content name of specific city or area
2. Google estimates that if site ranks for keyword with city, it should also rank for keyword with another city (area) that is < 300 km from the specified one.

Do you need to know more?

[googlejunkey]

If you want to get good rank in local search you have to list your business in Google local business directory. This will definitely help you to retain top notch position in the SERP.

[A.N.Onym]

Nah, that's plenty of info and it possibly confirms my suspicion, too.

Did you specify your location in the Google Webmaster Tools?

How much non-geo-targeted traffic do you get, compared to targeted geo traffic?

Do you have a separate directions page and your full address (with zipcode, stat full/short names, etc) in the footer?

Dave (earlpearl) should chime in on the topic, I have never dealt with this, really.

Did you ask or search blogs of notable local search experts, such as David Mihm or Mike Blumental?

[RvX]

Nah, that's plenty of info and it possibly confirms my suspicion, too.

Did you specify your location in the Google Webmaster Tools?

How much non-geo-targeted traffic do you get, compared to targeted geo traffic?

Do you have a separate directions page and your full address (with zipcode, stat full/short names, etc) in the footer?

Dave (earlpearl) should chime in on the topic, I have never dealt with this, really.

Did you ask or search blogs of notable local search experts, such as David Mihm or Mike Blumental?

1. Yes, I did.
2. It's a veeery little traffic, only few visits.
3. I have full address with zipcode, but without stat or area name.
4. Not yet.

[A.N.Onym]

Then having a full address in the footer and a directions page (with actual directions from landmarks, such as main squares, travel stations, statues, museums, etc) might help.

Overall, I wouldn't worry about it.

Except you might actually create the pages you are ranking for (currently non-targeted traffic) and attempt to convert it. I'd think you could increase your sales by 5-20% then (if you ship or serve the areas).

If you absolutely can't serve those areas, then the best bet is to research specialists/best choices in your industry in those areas and create a list with reviews, photos, etc. You'll get more branding power and authority by doing it and - eventually - more customers.

[earlpearl]

Rvx:

At times the volume of sites that are optimized for "something(city name,area name) are so minimal that it is quite possible to rank for that something in another city....if only because there isn't competition. Your network of linking may have something to do with that.

If it is a rare "something"...and there are few websites on that "something".....and your site is fairly strong for that "something"....you might well rank for "something" in other places especially if the "somethings" in other locations don't have strong websites.

btw: daddy cool. Good name.

2nd btw: Rvx: when you say you are ranking, do you mean in google.com, google.pl (poland) other engines?

[RvX]

2nd btw: Rvx: when you say you are ranking, do you mean in google.com, google.pl (poland) other engines?

I mean google.pl

If it is a rare "something"...and there are few websites on that "something".....and your site is fairly strong for that "something"....you might well rank for "something" in other places especially if the "somethings" in other locations don't have strong websites.

Almost true I got ranked for (only) one "something" with city that there is quite high competition. Interesting, that visits from those keywords weren't qualified as bounces in GA

[arthur]

you will need to use different social media networking website like facebook and twitter,, both of facilitate users for Geo targeting.. i am specified now a days to them... and working on them..

[leahmarie]

There are some keywords that are geo-specific due to the number of searches that keyword gain. You can check the keyword you are targeting with the area you want to target.

[arthur]

well, it is the concept of geo targeting,,, specially the social media network give good idea of geo targeting...and if you are stick to one location than you will need to check the traffic coming on that resources.