Thanks for all the replies, this thread is now read only

I only use it to adevertise my sites, but I guess near future with a more friendly api and gps, I will start using it. ---This post was edited to remove a commercial link. Read our discussion policies for more Community best practices.

i used it for about one month. the traffic is too low. so switch to adwords which has more traffic.

That's not a new thing, elusive. Google Local Business results have been at the top of the page for quite some time. They merely changed the name to Google Places, and instituted stricter rules. A few words of caution. 1. SEOs cannot 'game' Google Places like they used to in days past. The Places TOS clearly states that 'you can no longer add keywords to your business name to help boost your rankings,' or do anything artificial or manipulative to gain an increase in rankings (prior to the advent of Google Places, you could) 2. If your listing was created by a former employee, and you need to update it, good luck. We've found it very difficult, near impossible if you don't have the former staffer's gmail credentials. Places does have a procedure whereby an authorized representative can claim a business listing and update it. But without the original Gmail account of the former employee, this is tricky. And it doesn't always work. And even when it does work, Google still may not merge the updated listing with the older, inaccurate one. 3. It is much easier to get an account suspended now on Google Places. Easy ways to get suspended are: adding keywords to category areas; adding keywords to custom categories; adding too many links to the status update box; putting a keyword in the business category, which keyword already shows up in your business name; using a fictitious business name or adding words to your business name that aren't officially in the business name; not using a real address 4. Google Places doesn't like call center phone numbers, and will reject your listing if you include one. One way around this is to create a Google Voice number and route the call verfication to a personal number. Then, after you're verified, switch the forwarding number in Google Voices (not in Google Places) back to the call center number. A second way is to have your IT dept. shut off the automatic switchboard just long enough to get the verification code. You need to make sure the Google Voice number has the same area code as your business location, else they won't accept it either. These are just a few tips. I recommend everyone read the new TOS because it is significantly different than the old Google Local TOS.

I agree with Marco. We also find a lot of local customers via Google Places. It is important to ask customers, where they found your. I never thought, that more than 50% of new customers used Google Places, so keep using it! Peer Skype: pghmunich Gastrohammer Shop ---This post was edited to remove a commercial link. Read our discussion policies for more Community best practices.

The GEO location of google can be very beneficial. My girlfriend has a small painting school, 80per cent of her customers have found it because of this.   Sorry, my english is basic. Regards, Marco.

I have seen the use of Google Maps before but only now that I heard of the Google Places. I agree this is another great innovation on their search algorithm to streamline the tedious ways of users in doing searches, ex. services near their area. This has been around for sometime, if you are not new in Google, you definitely know the technique on how to do your searches on specific locations. 

this was one of a very highly appreciated innovation coming from google. It is not only good for business but for the searcher on also. It can easy detect the most, the famouse business establishment he/she looking for.

Having your business name and place in a image on your website will help google to place you better, and make sure that Google has your contact info and address correct.

You are absolutely right, Google is now showing local results either on the top of the page or at the middle of the page. It can be a very good traffic generating resources if you are targeting local customers. As far as the name is concern, people generally choose their targeted keyword as their business names like if you have Car Repairing Workshop in New York than your listing name could be Car Repair New York.---This post was edited to remove a commercial link. Read our discussion policies for more Community best practices.