for more information about Google Squared visit: http://www.google.com/squared

I think the problems we have with local listings is deceit and fraud. Deceit and fraud carry criminal and civil penalties in all states.

There are consumer protection laws in place to protect people from the deceit and fraud. There is an article on this forum where an attorney general is prosecuting fraud cases. Enough complaints have already been discussed and documented on blogs and forums about issues with the so-called local listings to associate Google with violation of consumer protection laws or enabling violations.

Currently local listings search results are not what they are presented to be to seachers. Searchers don’t want to see all the outlying town results when they specifically select a local area for search. What is the purpose of the search terms when Google yields up on what Google wants… regardless of what the searcher specified.

Regular search terms immediately below the map and local listings usually render directories and internet companies that have SEO their sites significantly. These prominent sites use sophisticated and elaborate schemes to rank higher in search results. Searchers that are just looking for local business services or products, don’t want directories, nor do they want online order gatherers. A carefully crafted SEO local business site may be in the return results, but that is rare.

Google could make local listings ln search return results actually local businesses now Afterall, when businesses register with Google they supply all the information that would be required.