earlpearl - 1:54 pm on Aug 18, 2006 (gmt 0)

With some others I've been looking at some of the enhancements and updates at Google Maps (formerly Google Local) and at Y and MSN Local.

Google Maps has a method that is different for ranking. They recently instituted coupons. Y Local features Ratings and testimonial opportunities.

Its all nice...but I've never seen much traffic from any of them. Now maybe that is peculiar to my business site. I don't know.

The site is regionally optimized for DC, Maryland and Virginia. That covers a much larger region then any of the Local/Maps tools adequately service. The site has been in all three versions since they started.

Regardless, since the beginning of the calendar year my log analyzer shows a smidgeon less than 1% of all search traffic coming from the aggregate of the 3 methods.

My normal search traffic typically has about 1/3 of the searches showing reasonable combinations of a relevant business term for the business and industry and a relevant geographic description. The majority of the geo descriptions are for variations on Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC but they also include nearby towns, smaller cities and counties. (All referenced in the site).

In any case that makes about 1% of search traffic and 3% of relevant search traffic.

What do you see?

Dave