google maps at top of search results?

[briz_dad]

Hello,

I am currently working on the search term "dui lawyer san francisco".

When put into google, the first results (after paid of course) are "Local business results for dui lawyer near San Francisco, CA" which is coming from google maps.

I have not found any information as to how google is placing the business listings or how they are giving relevance/hierarchy to these map listings.

Does anyone have any information on this?

(My experience is that the placement of business listings from maps is sporadic as to whether it appears at all or not).

TIA,
Greg

[briz_dad]

this is really relevant to serving my client and no one has any info about it?

[miss.]

Here you go!

http://local.google.com/support/bin/...n&answer=68480

Just Google it and you could have found the answer.

[briz_dad]

I think you misunderstand the question - this is not a personalized google map that I am refering to. It is the google maps info that appears at the top of some google search results.

If you click on the hot link provided, you'll see that quite a few businesses appear as the "1st results" from a google map source. It is not that each individual business has created a personalized map via google maps.

Does the above help clarify what I am seeking?

[djmc]

I'm currently seeing the Top Slot (1-A) in the search result, thanks to Google Maps.

Here's how I did it:

Went to the Google Local Business Center (LBC) and obtained a user name & password.

I filled out the listing information........Google sends out a POSTCARD to the address listed on the change order.

Using the Password & Code Number on the POSTCARD, I confirmed the listing change.

Once this is completed, you should see a top slot on Search Results for your key words, in the Zip Code where you are located.

[briz_dad]

I have done that and the postcard (or via phone) has been sent in... I do not see the business showing up on the google map - and what interests me is that the site is showing up first after the business results.

But in my mind, enough businesses are posting via the maps results to make a top listing not as important/valid as the results on the business map results.

After the paid results and the map listings, one is pushed pretty far down the page.

And yet I see no information from google as to how the business maps hierarchy is determined and what may do to improve standing in there.

[djmc]

I think the title of your site could hold the key.

For example: SF-DUI-law.com would probably do better than a site that was named "Lawyer'sName.com", and they would do even better with a title for their site that matched the URL = San Francisco DUI Lawyers Attorneys (www.sf-dui-law.com)

Just a suggestion, from someone who's #1A & #8 on page one (Non-sponsored).

[briz_dad]

i am finding it very hard to see the relevance of your answer... and your claiming to be #1 & #8 w/o out stating word(s)/phrase(s) in the search is meaningless.

Not attempting to start a war - just attempting to stay on piont here.

[djmc]

Just google the first 2-3 words of my title.......Sacramento DJs or Sacramento Wedding DJs

SEO experts say that your title should always start with your top 3-4 key words.