Local firms more likely to earn organic page one placement with long-tail keywords

Local firms more likely to earn organic page one placement with long-tail keywords

Google has changed the local search equation once again with a big update to its local listing pack. Last Thursday, Google began switching out its local 7-pack for a redesigned 3-pack, or Snack Pack. For all queries that produce a local pack, Google is now showing only three results instead of seven.

The new design eliminates some familiar data. Listings no longer include full addresses or phone numbers. Searchers can see the street name but must click through to the...

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Court rules Yelp can manipulate ratings based on ad purchases

Court rules Yelp can manipulate ratings based on ad purchases

The online review site Yelp can change the ratings of businesses on its site as it sees fit according to a decision by a federal appeals court. Yelp was accused of lowering the ratings of companies that did not purchase advertising on its site, and in a unanimous decision the court upheld its right to do so.

The owners of Cats and Dogs Animal Hospital in Santa Barbara, California alleged that Yelp was manipulating the reviews on the...

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