• Understanding Google Maps & Local Search , Monday, October 15, 2007 12:15 PM

Mike Blumenthal's post details a frustrating problem that some local businesses are having with multiple (often erroneous) listings that appear in Google's Local and Maps data.

Since Google Maps aggregates data from a wide variety of sources (including its own indexes, sites like Yelp, IYPs and other local business listing services) getting listed with them is often the first step in a small or local business' SEO strategy. But the process for removing fake or incorrect listings is a bit unclear, spans a six- to eight-week waiting period, and places the onus firmly on the business owner -- a fact that Blumenthal argues is a bit low-tech for a tech-focused giant like Google.

Read the whole story at Understanding Google Maps & Local Search »