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.

Goby is a search engine, implemented to help its users plan their free time activities. As explained in the main goal of its site, “Solve frustrations involved in planning your everyday adventures and free-time activities.” (Goby). This search engine will attract a lot of users interested in traveling, or planning an activity. The three main questions that this search engine targets are “What do you want to do?”, “Where?” and “When”. These questions provide a great direction by narrowing down specifics of what the user would like to do.

The results of the search, provides a map area, using the Google maps feature and also provides a search by relevance, distance and name to allow a better end result. Another amazing feature provided is a breadcrumb trail of all the information being searched, allowing better browsing and giving the user the ability to explore.

In the past few years, web applications have been connected with each other improving the users’ experience. In the case of Goby this search engine provides the option of connecting with Facebook, by being able to include information in a wall and News feeds. Allowing meeting place locations, trip plans or any other information to be easily accessed and shared among users.

Even though Goby is still in Beta, features such as pay by click and a similar feature to Google Ad words or Big add words have been implemented.

Citation 

http://www.goby.com/page/about