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Darren Shaw

@DarrenShaw_

Apr 5 • 11 tweets • 4 min read Twitter logo

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I tested adding predefined services to my Google Business Profile, and WOW!

You will not believe these ranking results!

This is a 1 minute SEO tweak.

Here's what I did and what you can do too... 🧵

#localseo #seo

🧪 I made sure this SEO test was CLEAN.

🔸 Website not updated in past 6 years, had a 1-sentence homepage, and had no other pages
🔸 No new reviews in 6 years
🔸 No new links
🔸 No updates to GBP

Thus, the ONLY variable in my test were the predefined services.

@whitespark

First, I established the business's baseline rankings by creating a new campaign in the @whitespark Local Rank Tracker to specifically track the keywords from the predefined services.

As you can see, with 5 days of tracking, the business had hardly any rankings for these terms.

On March 13, I added all the predefined services that Google suggested.

I continued checking rankings for the next couple days, but saw no change.

I was starting to get skeptical, because you usually see the impact of GBP changes within 48 hours 🤨

BUT, hold on to your hats...

THIS happened on March 16 🥳

Rankings increased significantly, with lots of terms ranking in positions 4-10 📈 🚀

And the business continues to rank well for these keywords.

The ranking gains from adding predefined services are sticking.

📄 Some observations:

❌ Rankings did not improve for services that were not applicable to the electrician category (i.e. remodelling, general repairs, construction).

✅ Many terms related to the category, however, did quite well (i.e. electrical resistor changing, etc.)

The best gains seemed to come from long-tail terms that do not have much competition.

💡 I bet I could increase these rankings even further by creating a dedicated service page for each of these terms...

TAKE-AWAY: predefined services in your GBP *definitely* impact rankings.

ACTION: go to your GBP right now and add any applicable services that Google suggests.

This way, you'll cast a wider net and rank for more terms in no time (well, in about 3 days).

@JoyanneHawkins

📣 Big shout out to @JoyanneHawkins for this major discovery. You can read her analysis here:
sterlingsky.ca/services-in-go…

🍿 If you like videos, watch my full video about this local SEO test here:

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More from @DarrenShaw_

Darren Shaw

@DarrenShaw_

Apr 4

The Q&A section of your Google Business Profile is more powerful than you realize.

Here's how to turn your Q&A section into a high-value, conversion-driving powerhouse. 🧵

#localseo #seo

Sadly, the Q&A section gets neglected by most businesses, but it’s a huge opportunity to drive leads and conversions.

You don't want it to look like the top example. You want it to look like the bottom.

1. Don't just wait for your customers to ask questions! The best way to get the most valuable questions on your profile is to seed the Q&A section yourself.

Before, you had to log in and ask/answer on the Profile itself, like this:

Read 14 tweets

Darren Shaw

@DarrenShaw_

Mar 8

@SterlingSkyInc

🚨 Big news in local SEO: the Services section of your Google Business Profile now impacts your rankings 🤯

New research from @SterlingSkyInc shows that selecting Google's predefined services can improve rankings.

Here's how to make the most of GBP Services 🧵

#localseo #seo

Until now, services have NOT been a ranking factor ❌

In fact, they were the #4 local SEO myth in the 2021 Local Search Ranking Factors survey.

But, Services were still valuable because they drove more conversions and they triggered eye-catching justifications 👀

However, Sterling Sky's findings reveal a new local SEO tactic for improving rankings.

In this example, prior to adding "NJ DUI Attorney" to their GBP services, this business only ranked in their immediate area.

But after, they started ranking quite well in a wider radius.

Read 11 tweets

Darren Shaw

@DarrenShaw_

Mar 1

@mblumenthal

❓ Is Google not approving your images even though they follow the guidelines?

Here are 6 reasons why Google might reject your photos and how to fix the problem. 🧵

These tips are from @mblumenthal's helpful comments in the Google Business Profile help forum.

#localseo #seo

@mblumenthal

1. Google has a bug where photos show as rejected, but if you wait 24-48 hours, they actually publish. 🤦🏻‍♂️

So, as @mblumenthal likes to say, “drink 4 beers and come back on Monday.” It’s likely that the issue will fix itself.

2. If your Profile is less than 2 weeks old or was recently reinstated, you can't publish images. 👶

This is because new GBPs are “sandboxed” for 2 weeks until they have built up some trust.

Wait at least 14 days after you have been verified/reinstated before you upload images.

Read 9 tweets

Darren Shaw

@DarrenShaw_

Feb 15

Most businesses are doing Google Posts WRONG ❌

They treat their Google Business Profile like a social media profile, but it is NOT social media.

Here's how to write Google Posts that drive clicks, conversions, and SALES 🧵

#seo #localseo

Google Posts are different from social media.

People on social media want to be entertained, learn new things, or see what's happening with their friends. They generally are NOT looking to buy things.

In contrast, people visiting your GBP are actively looking to BUY.

Google Posts should not be about entertaining or educating the reader, or about what happened at your holiday party.

Instead, they should be about your services, products, and specials/offers.

Here are 6 Google Post DON'Ts, followed by 6 DOs 👇

Read 17 tweets

Darren Shaw

@DarrenShaw_

Feb 14

@clairecarlile

GBP Justifications. What are they? Why are they important? How do you get them?

The incredible @clairecarlile spoke about Justifications at the @whitespark 2021 Local Search Summit, where she shared a ton of useful knowledge. Here's what you need to know 🧵

#localseo #seo

What is a Justification?

A local Justification is an extra snippet of text that Google displays on Google Business Profiles in the Local Pack, Local Finder and Google Maps.

It signals to the searcher that a feature of the business SPECIFICALLY matches their search.

@Moz

Why should you care?

Justifications help businesses:
✅ stand out
✅ get clicks
✅ get CONVERSIONS 🔥

In her 2021 article for @Moz, @Miriam_Ellis_ wrote that 57% of results in Local Packs have Justifications.

Here are the main types of Justifications and how to get them.

Read 12 tweets

Darren Shaw

@DarrenShaw_

Jan 25

Add videos to your Google Business Profile, and you will capture searchers’ attention, increase engagement on your Profile, and drive more business. 🚀

They now play automatically when scrolling the Maps app!

Here are 7 ideas for your next GBP video 🧵

#seo #localseo

1. Why choose your company?

Get on camera! Showing the face(s) behind your company is a powerful tactic to help prospective customers connect with your businesses and choose it over another.

2. Services

Show your team in action performing the services that your prospects are looking for. When they see you doing the exact thing they’re looking for, it can help drive additional conversions from your Google Business Profile.