Matt McGee’s 10 Likely Elements of Google’s Local Search Algorithm explores what makes Google Local different from Google.com algorithmically. Here they are in summary:
- Use of Google’s Local Business Center (LBC)
- Availability/Trust of other business data
- A Business Web Site
- Listings in 2nd-tier Local Directories
- Listings in Vertical Directories
- References from other Web sites
- Reviews
- Proximity to location
- Location Prominence and User Query
- Use of other Google services