1. @phixed Adam Dorfman, SIM Partners Making Sense of the Local Landscape: Google+

2. @phixed Meet your presenter Adam Dorfman SVP Product & Technology A SaaS local marketing platform that empowers enterprise brands to maximize Social, Local Search, and Mobile at the Location level through automation and scalability.

3. @phixed First Thing to Note About Google Source: http://pandawhale.com/post/28965/you-know-what-sucks-everything-michael-cera-gif

4. @phixed The Path to Google+ Local Google+ rolls out Social network for people Google+ Business pages roll out Social pages for brands 2011 Jun 28 Nov 7 2012 May 30 Aug 3 Google+ Local rolls out/Places sunsets Ability to merge G+ Business and G+ Local pages is introduced Could manage location info in two interfaces 2013 Roll out of new dashboard for G+ Local begins New accounts received new dashboard automatically Existing listings could request to change Google begins auto-merging social features into some new dashboard listings Apr 2 Aug 20

5. @phixed Source: http://www.reactiongifs.com/hell-wrong-people/

6. @phixed Google+ Local Listing (the artist formerly known as Places)

7. @phixed Google+ Business Page Verified!

8. @phixed Old Version Google+ Local New Version Google+ Local Updates to Interface Listing Edit Page

9. @phixed Old Version Google+ Local New Version Google+ Local Updates to Interface Listing Edit Page Unlimited characters + formatting! Up to 10 categories, no customization 200 character limit, no formatting Up to 5 categories, custom OK

10. @phixed Old Version Google+ Local New Version Google+ Local Updates to Interface Listing Edit Page Unlimited characters + formatting! Up to 10 categories, no customization 200 character limit, no formatting Up to 5 categories, cu stom OK STILL CALLED PLACES WTF

11. @phixed Source: http://www.reactiongifs.com/hell-wrong-people/

12. @phixed Listing Analytics Old Version Google+ Local New Version Google+ Local

13. @phixed Listing Analytics Old Version Google+ Local New Version Google+ LocalMap Clicks and Clicks to Website Combined to Actions

14. @phixed Case Study Time! Source: http://sesamestreet.tumblr.com/post/61029847545/tonight-7-pm-edt-were-kicking-off-our-new

15. @phixed What Worked for 315 U.S. Businesses? Challenge: How to boost ranking through local listings optimization? Method of Analysis: Examined 4,000 keyword/city combinations used as local search terms, which represented local SEO campaigns of 315 businesses Source: http://simpartners.com/case-studies/LocalOptimizationAggregateStudy.pdf

16. @phixed Aggregate Case Study: Prior to Optimization 4,000 Keyword/City combinations, representing 315 businesses Only 26% (1,040) combinations ranked in top 7 positions Only 8% (320) combinations ranked in top 2 positions Source: http://simpartners.com/case-studies/LocalOptimizationAggregateStudy.pdf

17. @phixed Aggregate Case Study: Post-Optimization Results: Top 2 increased 399% (from 320 to 1,600) Top 7 increased 179% (from 1,040 to 2,900) 3rd-5th increased 97% Source: http://simpartners.com/case-studies/LocalOptimizationAggregateStudy.pdf

18. @phixed How Did That Happen? Source: http://www.reactiongifs.com/hell-wrong-people/

19. @phixed Consistency, Consistency, Consistency Basic Data Far and away the most important aspect of a Google+ Local page for an SMB All business info needs to be accurate across all platforms and social networks

20. @phixed Tried and True Tactics http://67.227.255.239/forum/showthread.php?p=87028075#post87028075

21. @phixed Tried and True Tactics Create Custom Business Descriptions Using Primary Keywords Identify & Remove Duplicates on Google & Other Sites Photos Improve Click Through Rates Continue Monitoring and Modifying Listings Depending on Performance http://67.227.255.239/forum/showthread.php?p=87028075#post87028075

22. @phixed Market Your Business Not Your G+ Profile Optimize it to suit your goals Stand out in results Great photos Complete biz info Great website to link to Source: http://socialspew.com/post/7455697338/

23. @phixed Market Your Business Not Your G+ Profile Optimize it to suit your goals Stand out in results Great photos Complete biz info Great website to link to Dont spend unnecessary time on social if: Your customers arent on G+ You dont have highly engaging, relevant content Source: http://socialspew.com/post/7455697338/

24. @phixed Market Your Business Not Your G+ Profile Optimize it to suit your goals Stand out in results Great photos Complete biz info Great website to link to Dont spend unnecessary time on social if: Your customers arent on G+ You dont have highly engaging, relevant content Grow your reviews Ask for them GetFiveStars.com Source: http://socialspew.com/post/7455697338/

25. @phixed Use a banner, pictures and videos to customize your page A more personal experience is generally a better experience By customizing and decking out your G+ Local Page you can differentiate yourself from competitors Get Personal Source: http://bit.ly/1ijmUOK

26. @phixed Tactics for Google+: Merge Plus Business with Plus Local

27. @phixed Tactics for Google+: Merge Plus Business with Plus Local Review Other Businesses Build out circles Rich text Add videos Post status updates

28. @phixed But How? http://www.autorevo.com/blog/merge-google-plus-local-with-plus- business/ http://www.davidmihm.com/blog/google/plus-page-verification/ https://todaymade.com/blog/merge-google-local-page/ http://plumberseo.net/get-on-the-google-map/how-to-merge-your- google-places-google-local-listing http://www.seroundtable.com/google-page-local-verification- 15526.html

29. @phixed But How? http://www.autorevo.com/blog/merge-google-plus-local-with-plus- business/ http://www.davidmihm.com/blog/google/plus-page-verification/ https://todaymade.com/blog/merge-google-local-page/ http://plumberseo.net/get-on-the-google-map/how-to-merge-your- google-places-google-local-listing http://www.seroundtable.com/google-page-local-verification- 15526.html

30. @phixed Sit Tight https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!category-topic/business/I0Royu8V9x8 http://localu.org/blog/merge-google-pages-usually-cant-now/

31. @phixed Tactics for Google+: Categories & Description Description Direct ranking impact minimal User experience impact large Format your text Take advantage of hyperlinks Categories Remains one of the more important factors in the algorithm Use category selection tool Go granular 1,000 new international categories added

32. @phixed Google Updates Quality Guidelines for Businesses Starbucks Downtown McDonalds Midtown Joes Pizza Delivery Sheraton Chicago Joes Pizza Best Delivery Marketing Slogans URLs Phone Numbers Source: Google

33. @phixed Source: http://quickmeme.com

34. @phixed Maintain Listings According to How They Perform Doing nothing can be a tactic! So can republishing with zero changes Dont overthink things! Source: http://quickmeme.com

35. @phixed Whats Next? Source: http://quickmeme.com

36. @phixed Signs of Transition for Bulk Accounts? Uploaded photos not appearing bug Recent email from Google Listings pending for 2+ months bug Error with your categories bug Action Required: You have 3 weeks to save your Google Places Listing.

37. @phixed Client Desire to Upgrade vs. Google Response We are tired of waiting for the merge. Is it ok to start manually processing these? Clients

38. @phixed Client Desire to Upgrade vs. Google Response Source: http://blog.parrotearth.com/wp- content/uploads/2012/04/tumblr_lxt5tjB9Tf1qd8nujo1_500.gifS Unfortunately, I don't have the exact timeline of when the bulk verified users will support Google Plus pages. In regards to merging the pages now, I would strongly recommend waiting for the full upgrade. -Google Contact

39. @phixed Source: http://www.reactiongifs.com/hell-wrong-people/

40. @phixed Other Topics and Tactics to Consider Authorship! Publisher! Reviews! Offers! Social! International! Source: A SIM Partners employee with too much time on their hands AdWords Express! Knowledge Graph! SERPS!

41. @phixed THANK YOU! Adam Dorfman adorfman@simpartners.com www.simpartners.com @phixed