Sphinn - Google Answers Your Local Questions

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Sphinn It!

Went Hot: October 7, 2008 - 11:07 am
Posted By: UtahSEOpro 57 days ago
Topic Type: News Story (Jump to http://searchengineland.com)
Category: Google

In an earlier post, I [Greg Sterling] solicited questions for Google about local search. My intention had been to present them at the What’s New in Local Search panel at SMX East this morning. But I didn’t get my act together to distribute them at the session. Google’s Eric Stein, who was on the panel, coordinated the response to the questions.

Here are the unedited, verbatim questions and answers:

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from MiriamEllis 57 days ago #

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Greg, this is fantastic! What excellent questions and many revealing answers.

And, a new phrase for me...Local Universal. This must be what Google calls the entity we've all been calling the 3-pack/10-pack. Local Universal. I kind of like that!

I am a little taken aback by Google saying they have no stance on incenting user reviews. This seems to me to be in contrast to other things I've heard and experienced. What do you think about this?

Thank you for asking such relevant questions.
Miriam

from footinmouthdisease 56 days ago #

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I think this is an excllent insight into Google Local

I agree with Miriam that it's intriguing that Google didn't take a stance on the reviews-- Then again, they could be simply avoiding coming out to harshly against it because it could be a spot spot in the algorithm...

from mbeijk 56 days ago #

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dont know if you were already notified of this but there is a duplicate Q/A in the article.. I recognize it as mine and the answer of Google really disappoints me :( (about analytics on 10pack)

from willscott 54 days ago # - show/hide this comment

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Q:: What is your opinion to the ethical questions surrounding a business incenting customers in some way to write a review? What would you see as best practice in this area?

Google:: We don’t have a stance on this.

Can I get a Yeehaw!? Looks like a wild west moment to me Miriam.

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