Do you see much traffic from Google Maps, or Y or MSN Local

Lots of nifty new benefits but how much traffic?

[earlpearl]

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

[eWhisper]

According to Hitwise, Google Maps is 1.38% of all Google traffic. So, when you consider Google's query share, and then the fact 1.38% of Google visitors use their maps, the numbers shrink pretty quickly.

How much traffic do you see from Y Local (or views on the listings page)?

[GameMasterM]

The Yahoo Local sponsored and enhanced spots give us the necessary top placement and we are getting impressions.
Google Local/Maps has been a bit of a disappointment so far. Maybe Google should drop the maps/local confusion. I have not met anyone who thinks this is not confusing. Local is LOCAL, maps mean MAPS to most.
One thing Google does is point to the Local/Maps from the main search pages, I hope Yahoo follows that soon.
Despite the low traffic from Y and G local we are building into the space. Soon enough those directories will gain speed. Yahoo Local Sponsored only allows so many spots (12 to rotate I believe)on top and bottom placement. We want those top spots!

[earlpearl]

My Y local relates to about 1.5% of Y traffic.

Dave

[eWhisper]

Google Local/Maps has been a bit of a disappointment so far. Maybe Google should drop the maps/local confusion. I have not met anyone who thinks this is not confusing. Local is LOCAL, maps mean MAPS to most.

I must agree with that assessment.

Local to me means coupons (which they added), reviews, comparisons, nearby businesses, etc.

While they have this at the detail screen, it's not easy to compare the information across different businesses, or just to find out what interesting events are nearby.

Google local is good mapping software, but it doesn't seem like a comprehensive destination site for local users.