For many local businesses, Google map listings are crucial. At this writing, Google places as many as 7 map listings on a search engine result page – and these map results trump most organic web page results! Wow, all that work in SEO and all the while you should have been focused on the map listing!

So how do you get listed in these map results? Often there will be a listing for an existing business which can be located and claimed through a Google Map search. If your listing appears, click on the “more info” link to view the “place page”. On the place page, you will find a link in the upper right “Business Owner?”. Use this link to claim the listing. You will need to verify the listing with a PIN number that Google will provide either through an automated phone call or by sending a postcard. It can take months for Google to review and accept your claim of the page.

New listings can be submitted through Google Places.-

http://www.google.com/places

Google has caused confusion by renaming some of their products. Google Maps describes the results shown when searching. It’s the “output”. Google Places is the “input” side where you make a listing that shows on a map. Google has also used “local business center” as a name of a portal that allows input into google places and shows on google maps. For most intents and purposes, you may consider mas, places and local business center to be the same.

Next time I will discuss map rank and using search marketing in conjunction with your maps/places efforts.