I have been noticing a few changes in Google organic search results and the trends that I see are very encouraging to car dealers who are using press releases to promote their business. Today I posted a press release for an upcoming SEO briefing that I am conducting in Red Bank New Jersey.

Just three hours later, when I was doing a Google search on my name, I noticed that Google had a special graphic to call attention to my press release since it included my name.

The little newspaper graphic really calls out attention to the news story which I consider a big win for dealers where are taking the time to promote their businesses with content publishing. Notice that the press release title and teaser are included in the SERP as well as the press release source. The graphic "call-out" for the story will make your press releases more noticeable on a search results page.

If you are not publishing a press release every month, you are missing a great opportunity to gain Google page one placement for local targeted search phrases. In previous blog posts, I have listed a number of free press releases websites that can help your Internet visibility immediately. If you need to start somewhere, try www.prlog.org. Now, with these newspaper icons highlighting press releases, it makes even greater sense to start writing.

Google Profiles in Search Results

In addition to press releases, Google will also display a graphic/photo along with your name if you have created a free Google Profile. If you have a Google email address, log into to Google and go to http://www.google.com/profiles and you can create a free listing. When you create the profile, make sure you customize the URL with your name. If your name is taken, you can add your state on the end to make it unique. This way your URL is personally branded like this: http://www.google.com/profiles/brianpaschnj

When you do a search on your name, Google will show your profile if it is completely filled out. Here is what you see when you do a search for my name. Once again, anyone doing business today will have their name Googled. So why not have a free iconic listing showing up in Google search results. Your profile can have all your contact information as well as a link to your website. This free personal branding is something that should not be ignored.