Hostels and Google Local Search

I previously wrote an article about Google Local Search and hostels, and wanted to update it.

Google previously only listed 3 local businesses on their search results pages, but are now listing up to 10. The implications for this is that it's now much easier to get listed in that top spot of Google. Those links at the top of the Google search results pages link directly to the hostels' Web sites.

It's good for hostels, and not as good for booking engines, which are getting pushed down in the listings, unless they pay for Adwords (sponsored ads) at top.

Please view the attached image below:

Here is the key to the numbers in the image above:

• Google AdWords -- you can pay to get your ad listed here. In the screenshot above, hostelworld and hostelbookers are trying to outbid each other on that keyword.
• Google Local Search -- you can get listed at the top of Google for your city if you follow the instructions in the tutorial (the link is below). It creates a direct link to your Web site at the top of the search results.
• Google natural search results -- booking engines will be found here

If you follow the instructions in the Google Local Search tutorial you can probably get those top rankings for your city...