Can SEO companies be listed on Google Local, Bing Local, and Yahoo Local?

[ChaseCameron]

Can anyone confirm if SEO companies can be listed in the local results for Google, Yahoo, and Bing?

I'm asking because when you search for most local terms, it will return their local listings.  However, that doesn't appear to be the case when searching for SEO or marketing services - or at least none show up when searching from Houston and I'm pretty sure we have quite a few SEO companies here

[LindaBuquet]

YAY! Finally got around to signing up for Pro so I can help folks here.

Google does not usually show local results for SEO and web design type KWs. It's been like that for years. Same thing happens sometimes, but not consistently, for tech support or PC repair type KWs. I guess in all cases above Google assumes the company you are seeking to hire could be virtual not local.

If you are an SEO firm it's fine to set up a Google+ Local page though. Just be sure if you have a home office, you select a service area and hide your address or she is likely to delete the listing. But it's fine to have one.

If you already have a listing and just want to see how you rank in local - try searching a little different way. Instead of searching for City key phrase, search for key phrase IN city or NEAR city and that usually will pull up local results. At least in larger cities.

Example San Diego SEO - Zero local
SEO service (or company) in (or near) San Diego - all those variations pull local.

Hope this helps and best of luck!

[MiriamEllis]

Hi Chase,

Both Bing and Yahoo show local results for SEO companies, but not Google, unless you use the 'in' or 'near'-type searches that Linda has pointed out. In 2010, Google stopped showing both web design and SEO firms in their local results, presumably because Google determined that most of these businesses are virtual rather than local.

There is no harm in you listing your business in Google's local products provided you comply with the rules Linda has mentioned, but organic SEO is likely to be your best area of focus/effort when it comes to Google, because of their unique handling of results for companies like yours.

[MiriamEllis]

Great to see you here, Linda! I hope you'll love your new membership.