Google has created a feature that allows videos to have captions. To be able to add captions to a video you will need to create either a caption file or a transcript file. A caption file contains two important types of information, one is the text that will be displayed in the video and the other is the information regarding the time when a specific text should be displayed in the video. A transcript file only contains text, and if the caption is in English, Google provides the option of using speech algorithms to add the captions to the video in the corresponding time it needs to be displayed.

There is software available that can create these files for you, such as MovCaptioner, Overstream or Subtitle Workshop. There is also the option of captioning yourself, but you have to keep in mind that there are different types of information which needs to be displayed such as narration, dialogue and sound effects. The files that are currently compatible with YouTube are SubView and SubRip, so make sure you obtain those types of files if you hire someone to create them for you or purchase any software.

After you create your transcript or caption file, you will need to log in to your YouTube account and add them to their corresponding video. YouTube provides a captions button that will allow you to add your file, all you need to do is select the type of file and browse for it.  

This new feature for YouTube creates a new opportunity for SEO; it will allow videos to be ranked, since the keyword in the captions will be index by search engines. Pages that have video will have a lot more text compared to a page that has video without captions, and this will allow a better rank on a search. It may also create a lot of traffic to sites such as YouTube, since they will appear more on search results.

The map that you occasionally see at the top of Google’s organic search results is the Local Business Listings. These listings tend to show up on service-orientated searches where regional modifiers are used as part of the keyterm, ie; Boca Raton Dentists.

The prime positioning of the listings on Google’s results page means that if you’re focusing on a particular location for sales, then Local Business Listings should be prioritized in your wider SEO endeavors.

Google’s Local Business Listings are technically separate from organic SEO, yet rely largely on the same basic rules for success - the main one being the use of good and relevant content. Listings are created through Google Accounts, with the option to add a brief description and the all-important location which is highlighted on the results map. It’s quick to set up, and depending on the type of company you’re running, the benefits can be considerable.

Following the basic principles of SEO good practice is the best way to get a strong listing;
- Create a clear title, with a single main keyterm included.
- Write the description for real-world users, in a no-nonsense copy style. Keyword stuffing, as always, results in unreadable copy.
- Focus on your main service - this offers a clearer message to both users and Google.
- Don’t forget to add the business URL - an obvious point maybe, but this isn’t a mandatory field on the set-up form, so it can be easily missed.
- If anything notable changes with your business - new services, services phased out, location changes etc - update your listing. It should always be up-to-date.
- Remember Google’s primary aim - to provide the user with the information they’re searching for - if your listing isn’t as helpful and useful as it could be, modify it.

While it ranks on its own merits in relation to competition, the performance of a Local Business Listing is assisted by the quality of the associated business website. If that website is doing everything it should with an ongoing SEO program, then the business listing will benefit accordingly.

Like organic SEO, you’ve got the top ten to aim for, as these are the results that will appear on the all-important first page. However, again like organic SEO, the competition can often run into the thousands depending on the keyterm and location in question. Approach the Local Business Listings like any SEO project - remember there’s no quick fix or silver bullet, stick to the known principles and the results will follow.

Those familiar with Google products may already be aware of Google’s Labs.  For those that don’t know, the Labs section of Google is where they test out new features for existing products.  When checking your Gmail or Google Calendar you may have seen a tiny green beaker near the top of the page where you can see what experiments are available for the application you are using.  Often the labs will give a user more functionality or better ways of using an existing product.

To those who use Google’s Webmaster tools to monitor and analyze your website, you can now use two new features in the labs section.  These new features are “Fetch as Googlebot” and “Malware details”.  Below is an example of what it looks like in the dashboard:

Using these new tools can help you to detect more issues with your website.  The Fetch as Googlebot tool will allow you to see your website as Google sees it.  You can look at the code as Google sees it to compare it to how it should be interpreted.  Since it is coming from Google’s servers, it may look different than the source code.  If this is the case, you may have found some issues.  To run the report click “Fetch as Googlebot” and click the “success” link once it appears.

The other feature that Google is now offering is a “Malware details” function.  This new functionality can help you keep a better watch over your site.  If there is no Malware on your site, the tool will say so.  If there is Malware detected, details will be provided.  This will help you to determine if your site has been hacked and where to look to fix it.  For more information on the Malware tool, head over the Google blog for more information.