Local Advertising Starts with Google Maps

With the rollout of Universal Search and Google Maps, the term "local search" was born. And by local search, we mean showing up in the local results on Google when you search for something that Google determines to be related to a local service provider. (I just searched for "immigration lawyer in Google," a term our site for immigration lawyers - usimmigrationlawyers.com ranks #1 for and the local business results is in the 4th position) Makes sense that this is an obvious place to start for local businesses that are looking to generate traffic and a presence online. Why? It's free!!

I imagine that someday Google will introduce a paid option that co-exists with their local business results so that they can make more money out of this incredibly valuable traffic. But, for now, they seem to be content with investing in the user experience and building local business profiles to sprinkle into their search results. So, here are a few links that I've found that are helpful for anyone looking to get displayed in those results.

• Interview with Carter Maslan, Director of Product Mgmt for Google Local
• Anatomy & Optimization of A Local Business Profile