Update July, 3rd 2009: Added 12 local SEO & search resources suggested by readers in the comment section and on Sphinn + some newly researched links.

The most obvious trend when it comes to SEO is “going local”. Ever since Google introduced Google Maps and Local Business Center and later added local search results to Universal Search displaying them on top of everything else businesses everywhere strive to be there. Additionally the proliferation of smartphones and netbooks accelerates this development even more.

You have to perform in local search and on sites that enable users to find local businesses in their respective area. Classic SEO is just not enough anymore for small business owners and location based big business.

There is already a plethora of very helpful resources that deal with local SEO. While to some extent local SEO resembles traditional SEO with on site measures and link building the substantial differences have even led to a specialization in the industry.

By now we have SEO specialists and publications predominantly dealing with local search issues and local SEO.

Thus I complied a list of the most useful resources, mostly from blogs: 44 56 local SEO & search resources for business.

Why do I add the seemingly obvious “for business” part in the headline? In most cases you won’t optimize your private homepage to be found in a specific area. Local search is a mostly business only domain.

Local SEO & Search Blogs

• Mihmorandum: The Small Business Web Design + Local SEO Blog
• Local Search News – Local SEO, Tips, and News
• Local SEO Guide – Local search engine optimization blog
• Local Search, SEO, and Internet Marketing Blog | Dev Basu | Toronto SEO
• Local Search Optimization by Martijn Beijk
• Understanding Google Maps & Local Search – Developing Knowledge about Local Search

Local SEO Overviews for Starters and Lists

• SEO Tips for Local Businesses – ClickZ
• 25 Ways to Optimize for Local Search – Local SEO Tips
• 8 Simple Steps to Make a Page More “Local”
• Local Search Optimization Tips – SEO Workers
• How to Improve Local Search Results – SEO Tip Week 31 | Big Oak SEO Blog
• Small Business SEO: How To Launch That Web site
• Tips for Local Search Engine Optimization for Your Site : Natural Search Blog
• Regional / Local Search Engine Marketing Tips and Strategies | SEO Book.com
• How To Do Local SEO For Your Website in Five Minutes (or So) | Local SEO Guide
• BusinessOnLine SEO Blog: How to Get Your Business Listed in Local Search Engines
• Mihmorandum | A Framework for Thinking About Local Search Campaigns | Local SEO

Local Search Ranking Factors

• Mihmorandum | Local vs Traditional SEO: Why Citation Is the New Link | General Marketing
• Local Search Ranking Factors | Google & Yahoo Local SEO Best Practices
• Mihmorandum | Local Search Ranking Factors, Vol. 2 | Google
• Local Search Ranking Factor Statistical Research | SEO Scoop
• 10 Likely Elements of Google’s Local Search Algorithm
• How a Search Engine Might Determine Whether a Search Involves a Geographical Intent

Local SEO Techniques

• Local SEO Tips Pt. 1 of 3 – Creating a Profile – An SEO Blog by James Harrison
• Anatomy & Optimization Of A Local Business Profile
• Think Local, Act Social – Search Engine Watch (SEW)
• 8 Social Media Sites for Local Networking
• How to Optimize Local Business Profiles for Free Local Directories
• 5 Ways Negative Reviews are Good for Business
• Using Images For Local SEO
• Local and Global Popularity: Successful Blogs | extreme webmaster evernerve
• Local SEO with Event Promotion | Online Marketing Blog
• Local Business + Yelp App + iPhone = Money | Internet Marketing Blog
• Does Including A Physical Address On Your Website Help Rankings?
• Get Found Locally Without a Website
• 3 Keys To Success For Local Search SEO
• Cultivating Local Needs For Business Profit – Search Engine Guide Blog
• 5 SEO tips for local restaurants, with a side of usability | Jeff Woelker : Chicago SEO, SEM, and Social Media Consultant

Local SEO Internationally

• Local SEO’s Share Geo Location Tips From Around The World | Distilled blog
• Hello world! There is no Europe! (Guestpost)
• Country Specific Local SEO Tips » SEO Blog
• Geotargeting Location by IP Address = SEO Death | Local SEO Guide

Local SEO Case Studies

• How Naked Pizza is using Twitter — Social Media Optimization
• How to Twitter… Naked – Local Search News
• Marketing Case Study: Search Engine Marketing vs. Radio for Local Advertising » Marketing Revisited
• Local Search Case Study: Doux Vintage « Content Writing Advice and SEO

Local SEO Experts

• The List: Local Search Industry on Twitter
• All Your Local Search Experts In One Place – Local Search News
• Local SEO Blogs | GeoLocalSEO

Local Analytics

• Tracking Local search Traffic with Analytics » Understanding Google Maps & Local Search
• Google Analytics Search Ranking Filters for New Google Organic URLs
• Google Analytics For Local Search Part 1 of 7: Tracking Traffic From The 10 Pack « seOverflow Blog

Other Local Search and SEO Resources

• Google Local Search Glossary via @slominski
• List Your Business on Google Maps, Yahoo Local & More | GetListed.org
• Interview with Dev Basu – Local SEO | NorthSouthMedia Blog
• (Now) 38 Local Blog Directories : HyperlocalBlogger

Initially I planned to compile a list of both local and mobile SEO resources due to their obvious correlation. After some research the sheer amount of must read resources for local SEO & search outgrew the combined list quickly. Thus I will publish a new list in 2 weeks from now: 30 Mobile SEO Resources.

As always this list doesn’t claim to be complete. So you’re welcome to add your links or resources you are missing in the comment section. You can also add mobile SEO articles for the next list post to be incuded.

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56 Local SEO & Search Resources for Business

Related posts:

1. 30+ More Non-Google SEO “How to” Online Marketing Resources for 2009
2. Graywolf local search interviews
3. 78 Essential Search Engine Marketing & SEO Resources!

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