Maps vs. Local?

Google Local results are drawn from Google Maps, and you'll often here the two terms used interchangeably. It can be slightly confusing, but just remember that they both refer to the same thing.

Local Search is taking off and in a BIG way. Everyone knows it and many businesses are living and dying by local search's ever changing face, making it more important than ever to understand what makes it tick. Thanks to Google we've got more changes happening all the time...some we've been waiting for and a couple not even we predicted.

Ever since the introduction of Google Maps, Google has been feverishly working on adding data from businesses in their continuous attempt to build the best service. There's no doubt they're out to create a Yellow Pages on Steroids. Most Google searches that include a region or city in the search will display a list of 10 local listings, along with a map. Google refers to this display as a Local Onebox.

Google continues to build on the service adding more information and features almost constantly. It's clear that the convergence of maps, business information and search is very important to Google.

How to Get into Google's OneBox Results

Interestingly enough, you don't have to have a website to be listed in Go...