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==> TOPIC: Free WiFi
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Originally posted in SR #106
New Discussion
From: SearchReturn <digest@searchreturn.com>
http://searchenginewatch.com/showPage.html?page=3623944
Essentials: In a good basic look at the opportunity for local search, particularly where free WiFi is available, Grant Crowell has a new SearchDay article up discussing the convergence. The Loki toolbar has been running for over a year on the SearchReturn laptop and we've located Starbucks addresses and other things conveniently. The Loki toolbar essentially uses IP intelligence such as that powered by Digital Envoy to identify your current physical location.
Even though it may sound creepy the opportunity for marketers is huge. The convenience trade off is something users understand. What we found nice about Loki was configuring alternate search engines, (we configured TrueLocal for example), and having your location context automatically prepared as you search. For Starbucks listings the only query we need is [starbucks]. IP intelligence is not always perfectly accurate, but close enough.
Major search companies are aware of the trend and after Google has supported free WiFi in the Bay Area, Microsoft just announced a partnership with MetroFi to power free WiFi in Portland Oregon. These partnerships entail customized default pages for the free WiFi connection screen where the search company powers the ads and functionality of the search field. With demographic info, Microsoft is in a good position to serve highly relevant advertising with MetroFi.
Comment? mailto:digest@searchreturn.com?subject=LocalSearch
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==> TOPIC: Google Maps Valpak Coupons
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Originally posted in SearchReturn #084
New Discussion
From: SearchReturn <digest@searchreturn.com>
http://www.searchreturn.com/digest/refs084.shtml
Essentials: Google Maps, formerly known as local, will now feature Valpak coupons in the US. This deal is interesting in that it follows that Google having purchased dMarc Broadcasting to allow small and medium businesses to use the Google advertising platform, now can offer the same advertisers to use the platform to offer printable coupons alongside local search.
For example, if you search [pizza] in your area, you will find businesses pinpointed on the map and a matching coupon below. Valpak mails out 45 million coupon envelopes on a monthly basis and comes to the deal with a large base of local businesses already advertising. More than 20,000 coupons will launch online with Google.
Comment? mailto:digest@searchreturn.com?subject=LocalSearch
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==> TOPIC: Local Search Ads
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Originally posted in SearchReturn #079
"Local.com has added people search features powered by Whitepages which includes 92 million records of residential listings"
From: Kathryn Martyn <kmartyn@onemorebite-weightloss.com>
I think Local.com has a long way to go to generate much interest in the average surfer. I tried something general, dentist, in Vancouver, Washington which is where I live. I got first the notice that Firefox had preveted a popup -- don't know what it was, I generally don't bother to see, then there is "Sponsor Links" which if I didn't have a high resolution would take most of my screen. Many users would never scroll below that point.
Next comes an ad block with "featured sponsors," none being in Vancouver, Washington, so I'm thinking, this isn't very good. Only then do I realize that my actual results have yet to come...
I see this as very boring and time consuming to wade through countless ads to get to the real results.
Next we have three results listings and then more ads. This site isn't one I'd return to. Too many ads, not relevant results near the top of the page, etc.
The reason Google became so popular was they had no ads whatsoever for quite a few years. It was plain jane all the way and people liked it. Now, they have introduced ads at the top but it's usually only two, not block after block after block.
I love the idea of local search but I don't want to see ads all over it as they are rarely relevant to my search so they just frustrate me. Any other opinions on this?
Kathryn
Kathryn Martyn Smith, M.NLP
Ending Emotional Eating, One Bite at a Time
http://www.OneMoreBite-Weightloss.com
Comment? mailto:digest@searchreturn.com?subject=LocalSearch
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==> TOPIC: Local Adds Whitepages People Search
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Originally posted in SearchReturn #077
New Discussion
From: SearchReturn <digest@searchreturn.com>
http://searchviews.com/archives/2006/07/local_teamup_se.php
Essentials: Local.com now has added people search features powered by Whitepages which includes 92 million records of residential listings, and 10 million business listings. In other local news, Topix has partnered with ShopLocal to serve geo-targeted ads from store circulars alongside Topix local page resources.
Comment? mailto:digest@searchreturn.com?subject=LocalSearch
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==> TOPIC: TrueLocal Traffic Estimator
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Originally posted in SearchReturn #057
New Discussion
From: SearchReturn <digest@searchreturn.com>
https://www.truelocal.com/press/release/20060426a.htm
Essentials: Look for a release tomorrow that TrueLocal has launched a traffic estimator. Advertisers can use a zip-code and search term combination for information about TrueLocal traffic from the previous month. Included is map clicks, (including driving directions), listing views and phone calls in relation to the most popular categories and the nearest zip-codes matching the query.
Comment? mailto:digest@searchreturn.com?subject=LocalSearch
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==> TOPIC: New Local Ads
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Originally posted in SearchReturn #051
New Discussion
From: SearchReturn <digest@searchreturn.com>
https://adwords.google.com/select/localbusinessads.html
Essentials: Google has introduced ads to its local search index. Local searches produce maps and pins that locate local businesses that match the query. Up to three ads will now supplement the map when advertisers match keywords and location. You can see how the sponsored listings appear at the Google information page.
Comment? mailto:digest@searchreturn.com?subject=LocalSearch
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==> TOPIC: Yahoo! Local News
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Originally posted in SearchReturn #047
New Discussion
From: SearchReturn <digest@searchreturn.com>
http://blog.searchenginewatch.com/blog/060320-102438
Essentials: Yahoo! launches a local news beta that will refine news matches to a geographic area for you. This is an interesting move considering that newspapers across the country are starting to adapt or diminish because of the Web. With the recent sale of Knight-Ridder to McClatchy, Mercury News is among some of the assets destined to be sold off by the new owner. There is now an effort to convince Yahoo! to make the purchase.
http://news.com.com/2061-11199_3-6051420.html
Comment? mailto:digest@searchreturn.com?subject=LocalSearch
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==> TOPIC: Local Search to Triple
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Originally posted in SearchReturn #040
New Discussion
From: SearchReturn <digest@searchreturn.com>
http://www.clickz.com/news/article.php/3585511
Essentials: The local search market is set to more than triple over the next four years. This is growing at a rate more than twice as fast as physical Yellow Pages over the same period. Assuming the mobile search market is growing, if there is a real breakthrough for mobile phone consumers, demand for local search will be enormous (possibly outstripping this estimate).
Comment? mailto:digest@searchreturn.com?subject=LocalSearch
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==> TOPIC: LOCAL SEARCH MARKETING
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Originally posted in SearchReturn #023
"Obviously, it is a local market he is after, and I recommended PPC to start. It's clear to me that a website is his best option."
From: Lee Odden <lee@toprankresults.com>
We've purchased reports from Hitwise to gauge the potential market for specific categories. That might be an option for you. ComScore also offers this type of data, but is rather spendy.
Lee Odden
TopRank Online Marketing
http://www.toprankresults.com
Online Marketing News
http://www.toprankblog.com
Moderator Comment: It may have bias towards Google, one place you can find stats is here:
http://www.google.com/ads/metrics_health.html
A local campaign would be appropriate. Consider adding Virginia in all your geo-targeted campaigns for local AOL proxy users.
Comment? mailto:digest@searchreturn.com?subject=LocalSearch
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==> TOPIC: LOCAL SEARCH MARKETING
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Originally posted in SearchReturn #023
"Obviously, it is a local market he is after, and I recommended PPC to start. It's clear to me that a website is his best option."
From: Jake Baillie <jake@truelocal.com>
Most of the local engines are starting to let businesses do PPC and Pay-Per-Call without a website. Yahoo Local, for example, allows a business to participate via a free "business profile" page. So a website may not be required.
Just a thought.
"I need some data to prove it."
Investigate instances of keywords + geo terms, like [chicago dentist]. You can easily do that with existing inventory tools. For geo terms, don't forget zip codes and possibly neighborhoods (if you're in a large urban market).
-- jake
Comment? mailto:digest@searchreturn.com?subject=LocalSearch
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