Local SEO techniques

[ojwilliams8]

We have a competitor who has listed all the local villages and towns in the area that he wishes to target. these are listed in his footer and appear on every page.

I understand that ideally, each location targeted would have it's own page with unique and relevant content.

Is this competitor's approach a good one even though the names are essentially duplicates?

[SEODinosaur]

Not a good approach. If they are getting away with it now it will not last long...

Watch this:

http://www.seomoz.org/blog/smarter-internal-linking-whiteboard-friday

[ojwilliams8]

Thanks Donnie!

But this competitor isn't using links, just keywords...

Any thoughts?

[RobertFisher]

ojwilliams8

I think, given the info from Matt Cutts at SXSW (Check it here)

I do not see them gaining any advantage in Local. Given that local should have its own page and that needs unique content, given that while they have a location there with nothing to go with it, given that links from the footer are devalued, Then I do not see them gaining an advantage.

The competitor's approach is bad. For each city/township you desire to improve local for, you need a separate page with its own content. I really think there will ultimately be a penalty or a loss of any value for this very soon.

Best,