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<title>Sphinn / Hot Today / Local &amp; Maps</title>
<link>http://sphinn.com</link>
<description>Sphinn  votes</description>
<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:42:38 PDT</pubDate>
<language>en</language>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Best of the Web Gets Even Better by Going Local]]></title>
<link>http://sphinn.com/story/54876</link>
<comments>http://sphinn.com/story/54876</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:42:38 PDT</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Local &amp; Maps</category>
<guid>http://sphinn.com/story/54876</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Best of The Web adds a local component, making a great directory an even better resource on the consumer level.<br/><br/>52 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Attend SMX Local &amp; Mobile &amp; Leave The PageRank Pack Behind!]]></title>
<link>http://sphinn.com/story/53765</link>
<comments>http://sphinn.com/story/53765</comments>
<pubDate>Sat, 21 Jun 2008 08:18:19 PDT</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Local &amp; Maps</category>
<guid>http://sphinn.com/story/53765</guid>
<description><![CDATA[As I watch search marketers often continue to obsess about things like PageRank, I wanted to do a personal post / wake-up call related to our SMX Local &amp; Mobile Search Marketing show happening next month in San Francisco, July 24-25. Because for all<br/><br/>51 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[SEO for Phone Numbers?]]></title>
<link>http://sphinn.com/story/53254</link>
<comments>http://sphinn.com/story/53254</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jun 2008 01:08:24 PDT</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Local &amp; Maps</category>
<guid>http://sphinn.com/story/53254</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Some quick ideas on why you might want to optimize your site for phone number searches.<br/><br/>39 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Local vs Traditional SEO: Why Citation Is the New Link]]></title>
<link>http://sphinn.com/story/50037</link>
<comments>http://sphinn.com/story/50037</comments>
<pubDate>Wed, 04 Jun 2008 03:10:37 PDT</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Local &amp; Maps</category>
<guid>http://sphinn.com/story/50037</guid>
<description><![CDATA[David Mihm's excellent analysis of the Google Local / Map Algorithm which argues in compelling fashion that citations (mentions of the business without a link) play an important role in ranking well in the Google's Local Listings.<br/><br/>40 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[How to Optimize Local Business Profiles for Free Local Directories]]></title>
<link>http://sphinn.com/story/41818</link>
<comments>http://sphinn.com/story/41818</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:27:10 PDT</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Local &amp; Maps</category>
<guid>http://sphinn.com/story/41818</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A fully optimized Local Business Profile contains a well-crafted business description, containing a unique selling proposition based on market and keyword research, domain name and email cross branding (including generic domains), authentic testimon<br/><br/>48 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[SBM Unleashed: Local Search Workshop]]></title>
<link>http://sphinn.com/story/42026</link>
<comments>http://sphinn.com/story/42026</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:51:07 PDT</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Local &amp; Maps</category>
<guid>http://sphinn.com/story/42026</guid>
<description><![CDATA[David Wallace writes... The days of flipping through a big fat yellow book to find a local business are quickly coming to a close. After all, why settle for a simple phone number when an online search can also net you menus, pricing, hours and consu<br/><br/>32 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Fighting MapSpam in Local - an insider's perspective]]></title>
<link>http://sphinn.com/story/36938</link>
<comments>http://sphinn.com/story/36938</comments>
<pubDate>Fri, 28 Mar 2008 08:06:53 PDT</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Local &amp; Maps</category>
<guid>http://sphinn.com/story/36938</guid>
<description><![CDATA[An thoughtful response by Ahmed of iBegin to the recent Yahoo Affiliate Mapspam reports asking:•What is mapspam?•What is a reasonable approach to to the varying forms of it?•How do we respond to it?.•What are the technical and human limits<br/><br/>32 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Change Your Address In The Google Plusbox In 5 Simple Steps]]></title>
<link>http://sphinn.com/story/36667</link>
<comments>http://sphinn.com/story/36667</comments>
<pubDate>Wed, 26 Mar 2008 02:47:43 PDT</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Local &amp; Maps</category>
<guid>http://sphinn.com/story/36667</guid>
<description><![CDATA[An excellent article, Mike, and excellent suggestions.  It is an unfortunate byproduct of universal search and multiple algo's that the effort by Google to provide &quot;better information&quot; is at times providing &quot;inferior and erroneous&quot; information.<br/><br/>38 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Do  You Really Get That Many Local SEO Clients?]]></title>
<link>http://sphinn.com/story/36375</link>
<comments>http://sphinn.com/story/36375</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:03:54 PDT</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Local &amp; Maps</category>
<guid>http://sphinn.com/story/36375</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Tim Nash reveals in a local study that SEO firms which target local businesses are not in fact getting that many local clients.<br/><br/>46 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Google Serving Blended Local Results with Unverified Listings]]></title>
<link>http://sphinn.com/story/32101</link>
<comments>http://sphinn.com/story/32101</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 03 Mar 2008 08:52:39 PST</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Local &amp; Maps</category>
<guid>http://sphinn.com/story/32101</guid>
<description><![CDATA[For the first time many have witnessed, Google is now serving unverified local listings in its blended local result plus boxes.<br/><br/>45 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Local SEO Guide, Andrew Shotland, Interview]]></title>
<link>http://sphinn.com/story/31702</link>
<comments>http://sphinn.com/story/31702</comments>
<pubDate>Sat, 01 Mar 2008 21:13:26 PST</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Local &amp; Maps</category>
<guid>http://sphinn.com/story/31702</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Andrew's past position at InsiderPages makes him a fascinating Local SEO to chat with. Read what Andrew has to say about Maps, IYP, backsplashes and more!<br/><br/>40 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[SEO for Businesses With Multiple Locations In The Same City]]></title>
<link>http://sphinn.com/story/29299</link>
<comments>http://sphinn.com/story/29299</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 18 Feb 2008 14:53:44 PST</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Local &amp; Maps</category>
<guid>http://sphinn.com/story/29299</guid>
<description><![CDATA[How to get the businesses with multiple locations in the same city (e.g. two Starbucks on opposite corners) to rank for the same local search query, or something to that effect.<br/><br/>46 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Daunting Secrets of Google Map Categories FINALLY Revealed!]]></title>
<link>http://sphinn.com/story/27485</link>
<comments>http://sphinn.com/story/27485</comments>
<pubDate>Sat, 09 Feb 2008 11:38:43 PST</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Local &amp; Maps</category>
<guid>http://sphinn.com/story/27485</guid>
<description><![CDATA[This post is important. Learn simple Local Business Center procedures to show up in the G-maps category of YOUR CHOICE. Mike Blumenthal discusses first research to reveal workings of Google's map categorization process.<br/><br/>53 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Where does a Psychic turn when they need an answer? Google Maps]]></title>
<link>http://sphinn.com/story/27363</link>
<comments>http://sphinn.com/story/27363</comments>
<pubDate>Sat, 09 Feb 2008 00:47:10 PST</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Local &amp; Maps</category>
<guid>http://sphinn.com/story/27363</guid>
<description><![CDATA[&quot;Monday afternoon I received a call from a Psychic Counselor inquiring as to how she might show up in the Local OneBox for Psychic in Santa Fe, NM. I was intrigued that a pyschic would turn to me from results she found in Google. I decided to take t<br/><br/>38 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[41 Places To Add Your Business Locally]]></title>
<link>http://sphinn.com/story/22239</link>
<comments>http://sphinn.com/story/22239</comments>
<pubDate>Thu, 10 Jan 2008 14:54:46 PST</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Local &amp; Maps</category>
<guid>http://sphinn.com/story/22239</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Categorized list of 41 different local search engines, yellow pages, meta crawlers, data providers and local social communities. Complete with descriptions and links sign up, list or learn more.<br/><br/>44 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Small Business SEM : Best Local Search Blog of 2007]]></title>
<link>http://sphinn.com/story/21761</link>
<comments>http://sphinn.com/story/21761</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 07 Jan 2008 12:24:15 PST</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Local &amp; Maps</category>
<guid>http://sphinn.com/story/21761</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Congratulations Matt! &quot;With the inclusion of maps and local in Google, Ask.com, Live Search and Yahoo search results, local search marketing became even more and more important in 2007, especially for small to medium sized storefront businesses.&quot;<br/><br/>37 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Comparing Local Business Page Options]]></title>
<link>http://sphinn.com/story/20493</link>
<comments>http://sphinn.com/story/20493</comments>
<pubDate>Sun, 30 Dec 2007 11:51:46 PST</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Local &amp; Maps</category>
<guid>http://sphinn.com/story/20493</guid>
<description><![CDATA[An interesting comparison of different ways to present information on local businesses<br/><br/>28 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[How to Leapfrog Your Competition on Live.com Maps]]></title>
<link>http://sphinn.com/story/19537</link>
<comments>http://sphinn.com/story/19537</comments>
<pubDate>Fri, 21 Dec 2007 05:14:23 PST</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Local &amp; Maps</category>
<guid>http://sphinn.com/story/19537</guid>
<description><![CDATA[How to outrank your competition on Live.com's map search and on Windows Live Mobile, even if you are not the closest business to the searcher's location.<br/><br/>28 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[National Brands/Local Retailer SEO Smackdown!]]></title>
<link>http://sphinn.com/story/19146</link>
<comments>http://sphinn.com/story/19146</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Dec 2007 22:57:20 PST</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Local &amp; Maps</category>
<guid>http://sphinn.com/story/19146</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A national brand sends a cease &amp; desist letter to one of its local retailers for using the brand name in a URL.  Can you believe it?<br/><br/>35 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Yelp SEO Analysis: Part One]]></title>
<link>http://sphinn.com/story/13544</link>
<comments>http://sphinn.com/story/13544</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 12 Nov 2007 11:36:07 PST</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Local &amp; Maps</category>
<guid>http://sphinn.com/story/13544</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A blow by blow analysis of how SEOMoz updated Yelp's SEO tactics.<br/><br/>46 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[How To Update Your Internet Yellow Pages Listings For Free]]></title>
<link>http://sphinn.com/story/10213</link>
<comments>http://sphinn.com/story/10213</comments>
<pubDate>Fri, 19 Oct 2007 13:19:59 PDT</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Local &amp; Maps</category>
<guid>http://sphinn.com/story/10213</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Making sure your business' location and services data is up to date across the Web is perhaps the most important thing you can do to help potential customers find you.  Here's the list of pages where you can do it for free.<br/><br/>35 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[[PIC] Oakland Cafe Tries to Ban Yelp Users]]></title>
<link>http://sphinn.com/story/9843</link>
<comments>http://sphinn.com/story/9843</comments>
<pubDate>Fri, 19 Oct 2007 13:19:51 PDT</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Local &amp; Maps</category>
<guid>http://sphinn.com/story/9843</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Interesting article from Greg Sterling: &quot;The staff said to me rhetorically, 'If you've got a problem with something, you should tell us first rather than going online and posting.'&quot;One step back for local search....<br/><br/>29 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Does Your Website Designer Rank Higher In Google Than You Do?]]></title>
<link>http://sphinn.com/story/9945</link>
<comments>http://sphinn.com/story/9945</comments>
<pubDate>Thu, 18 Oct 2007 13:48:03 PDT</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Local &amp; Maps</category>
<guid>http://sphinn.com/story/9945</guid>
<description><![CDATA[I can't stand it when a web designer plants his name right in the middle of the home page of a client's site.  Oh the humanity...<br/><br/>35 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Dominate Google SERPs By Being A Yellow Pages Parasite]]></title>
<link>http://sphinn.com/story/8884</link>
<comments>http://sphinn.com/story/8884</comments>
<pubDate>Thu, 11 Oct 2007 17:07:30 PDT</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Local &amp; Maps</category>
<guid>http://sphinn.com/story/8884</guid>
<description><![CDATA[You know those birds that sit on the backs of hippos waiting for some chow to drop out of the animal's mouth?  See how one SEO company is sitting on the back of a Yellow Pages' SEO platform waiting for the SEO crumbs to drop out of page one of Googl<br/><br/>32 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[12 Billion Local Business Searches. Do Yellow Pages Still Matter?]]></title>
<link>http://sphinn.com/story/5754</link>
<comments>http://sphinn.com/story/5754</comments>
<pubDate>Mon, 17 Sep 2007 07:16:20 PDT</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Local &amp; Maps</category>
<guid>http://sphinn.com/story/5754</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Attorneys, plumbers, financial advisor's, electricians,  pizza parlors, cleaning services, snowplow drivers, caterers, insurance companies, and hardware stores alike ask Should we keep our Yellow Pages ad? Finally there is definitive data.<br/><br/>36 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Local SEO For Retail Store Locators]]></title>
<link>http://sphinn.com/story/5495</link>
<comments>http://sphinn.com/story/5495</comments>
<pubDate>Sun, 16 Sep 2007 05:07:10 PDT</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Local &amp; Maps</category>
<guid>http://sphinn.com/story/5495</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Wow, great article with *practical* local search advice for anyone who has multiple business locations in different areas. Well done, Chris!<br/><br/>22 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Yahoo Local Mapspam now appearing near you]]></title>
<link>http://sphinn.com/story/4560</link>
<comments>http://sphinn.com/story/4560</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 04 Sep 2007 10:03:52 PDT</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Local &amp; Maps</category>
<guid>http://sphinn.com/story/4560</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Mike Blumenthal describes how Yahoo! Local allows MapSpam, that violates TOS, is lucrative, easy to do, possibly violates the spirit of laws in 22 states, and doesn't seem to have a method to prevent it's widespread use.  This is just the latest of <br/><br/>26 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[The Future Of Rich Media On Local Sites]]></title>
<link>http://sphinn.com/story/1781</link>
<comments>http://sphinn.com/story/1781</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 31 Jul 2007 07:27:29 PDT</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Local &amp; Maps</category>
<guid>http://sphinn.com/story/1781</guid>
<description><![CDATA[This is a great round-up of the pros and cons of video, audio, and photos on local sites.&quot;Despite the popularity of rich media elsewhere on the Internet, the use of photos and videos on local sites is in its infancy. As a group, local sites have<br/><br/>20 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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