April 08, 2009, 11:20 AM — Since the Internet is global, search results are global. If you're, say, a dentist in Cleveland, and people think to search for “dentist +Cleveland” they should find you. But if they just search for “dentist” all sorts of entries pop up, but none near you. At least that was the case, until the “Google Becomes More Local” blog entry explained how Google is linking your computer location to search results, especially for local services like dentists, restaurants, and groceries.
This will help local businesses, so tell Google thanks. Now, searching for just “dentist” will provide global dentist entries, such as the Wikipedia entry, at the top of the results page, then add local dentists based on your IP address. Then the global search results will continue, such as an entry from 1-800-DENTIST about the best way to find a new dentist.
Searching for other primarily local businesses gives the same type of results. Florist, doctor, and restaurant searches include the local map and listings, with a link to a longer local list of results. Even when I put in “Chinese food” it showed me a local list. Even nicer, my favorite local Chinese restaurant, Chan's, was at the top of the local list.
If you do local consumer business, let this new Google feature goose you into updating your Web site. If your Web site sprays dust in the air when people hit it, the Google improvements for local searches won't help much. Spiff up your Web site, because you should be getting more local hits now. And tell Google thanks when you see him.
