Must you list your address on Google Places to show up for SEO?

[robertalert8]

To show up on Google Places you MUST use a physical address. It does NOT need to be public; it can be hidden, and you can set your service area. That said, IF the searcher is in town x (e.g., Union City, CA) and you are in the same town (Union City, CA), that is a HUGE plus to showing up on the search. If you are just one town over (e.g., they are in Union City, CA, and you are next door here in Fremont, CA), that is a HUGE negative.

Google Places HEAVILY favors businesses in the big cities (San Francisco, Los Angeles) vs. the suburbs and in the big cities heavily favors businesses in the downtown business districts. It's not fair, but that's how it is....

 

[marey_joseph]

This is what I did, and because I live in a rural area, Google showed me a set of plumbers within a radius of about 50 miles. Naturally, I looked for the closest one to home so that I might not be charged extra for the plumber having to take a long drive to get to me.

 

[liquidpr]

thanks for posting...