Localized Search Results

[perkfriday]

I'll try to setup this question: I go to Google.com and set the search tools to a particular city that I am not in (say I live in Nashville but set the search tools for Rockville MD). I do a search for a specific term without a location modifier such as "chrysler town and country" and I don't see the website I'm looking for in the first 100 results. Then I keep the search tools the same, but change the specific search to "chrysler town and country rockville md" and the website I'm looking for is now the #1 result. What would affect the difference? I would have expected the website to have a similar ranking in both situations.

[PatrickDelehanty]

Hi Larry

What you are describing is taking a very specific search like "chrysler town and country" and expecting your site to rank number 1 for it. It's not going to happen. For one, you are asking about a car made by Chrysler, which will lead you directly to the car page as the number 1 result. That page is always going to rank number one for it. If it's not that, it will be a Wikipedia page or a big name car .com of some sort.

The reason why your site is not ranking for that is because at the point you are doing what is called an informational search - you're just looking for information on a specific topic. You're not giving the search engine anything beyond "I just want to see results for the Chrysler Town and Country", so, that's what it gives you; the most relevant search results to that specific topic; it's assuming you're looking for information about the car.

Now, when you tack on "Rockville MD" onto it, you're saying I want to know about Chrysler Town and Country specific to Rockville, MD, hence why your site pops up. I imagine you have the car make and model in the title and it's probably an auto dealership site located within Rockville, MD, correct?

Keep in mind this is nothing to get worked up about, because, again, you are doing a VERY specific topic search in the first search for a brand name that has a lot of authority and who's page will always rank number 1. Your site appears because you've probably optimized for what you were setting out for - ranking for car makes and models at the local level.

If someone is searching just for the make and model, they probably aren't ready to buy, they are probably just wanting information about the car, and might just be looking around. BUT, if they are searching that car in Rockville, MD, they are probably wanting to see prices and more transactional information. You're right where you want to be.

Does this all make sense? Hopefully this helps!

[perkfriday]

Thank you Patrick. That does make sense. I assumed if I am in the area that the search engine would take into account local results as well for something like "chrysler town and country" or "chrysler auto service". Both of those do not pull up the website, but adding a location does showing the site in the top 10 results. I see the difference and appreciate the explanation. - Larry

[PatrickDelehanty]

Hi Larry

Glad that all made sense. Sometimes this can get really confusing - I have had a few car dealers in the past that had the same questions and sometimes it's just a matter of expectations and being realistic with search engines.

Let me know if you have any more questions - happy to help where I can!