Since the first tests in 2003, the geo-targeted search was the source of many myths and frustration fo countless webmasters, but also the key to success for the smart ones. As with most Google products, the localized search is annoyingly complicated in it's simplicity.

Most companies are not equipped to function globally. Most of the time, beside targeting a specialized niche, they target a specific geographic area, where they can activate. Whether it's a country, continent, or city block, there's little point in aiming for the ocean when all you need is to become the big fish in your pond. Geo-targeted SEO will help you do just that, optimize your site and link-building to achieve this result!

A few simple tricks:

- Try to add a phone number to your website - it will help Google determine your location very fast.

- Aim for longtails, the more specific the better. Statistics say that almost 70% of product and companies searches use some kind of geo-targeted keyword.

- Brand yourself as the area company - "Chelsea used cars" for instance, both in title and description.

- Use Google Maps to record your location.

- Try to obtain links from your geographic area.

- If you're just starting up, a geo-targeted domain would be nice ;)

- Use Google's Webmaster Tools to set your target area.

And remember: following in Google's footsteps all the social networks and starting to think local as well... This is not the last work, a lot of relevance will develop out of geo-targeting on multiple fronts!