If you’re like most of Americans, Google is your go-to page for all of your searching whimsies. And if you checked your search history, you’d find hundreds of searches in the last week from everything to “How to avoid cooking a turkey this 
Thanksgiving” to “What in the world is Gangham style”.
But like most of us, you don’t notice the particulars of what makes Google our reflex search tool. The answers just seem to be, well, there. Let’s take a closer look at how Google shows local results, and, more importantly, how small business users can use Google’s social media tool, Google+, to get the marketing results they want.
Approximately 20% of Google searches having local intent. Around 80% of mobile searches on Google have local intent. Simply put: 1 out of 5 searches are to find something nearby the searcher. This is great news for local businesses.
One way to get potential customers’ attention is by having a claimed, up-to-date Google+ Local page. Not only does the page appear in the mixed search results (local results + “organic” results), but if the searcher is logged into their Google+ account, your company profile will show up front-and-center in Google+.
Google does this to highlight local results. Categories in your Google+ Local page let Google know what it is that you do and help match your company to relevant searches.
Sound good? It’s easy to start featuring your Google+ Local page. If you’ve already claimed your business, take a moment to log into Google Places and update your page with new pictures, offers, and information about your services. If you’ve never claimed your business, you can search Google Places for your listing and claim it as your company.
