Comments on: Google New UI + Local Listing Ads – What Does It Mean for Local?

By: joe

joe — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 18:33:00 +0000

I agree with Gnomac. Google may be over monetizing its search. These days it seems like local and paid ads are dominating the SERPs. I hope Google gets this under control.

By: Jim Ryan

Jim Ryan — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 19:08:30 +0000

There are now 5 entry points into maps not fewer entries as stated. And all the white space? How about display ads as a possibility?

By: Secret Local Search Ranking Facts For Free | Nifty Marketing

Secret Local Search Ranking Facts For Free | Nifty Marketing — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 15:06:43 +0000

[...] Local Search seems to be taking dramatic steps forward on a weekly basis. Not too long ago, a search for anything local would bring up a 10 pack on Google, and since then, we have seen local listing ads, lucky 7 packs, and even the possible future low 5 pack. [...]

By: Gnomag

Gnomag — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 01:44:25 +0000

In Australia, Yellow Pages had a monopoly until the internet and Google came along. They are now going south big time. Business is deserting them at rapid knots and of course Yellow Pages deserve it. I remember a Yellow Page rep walking into the office stating that our small ad, around 1/8th of a page, would cost $22,000 for the 12 months. No negotiation, we were all held to ransom and had to put up with salespeople who were more like bagmen with massive attitude problems.

Google seems to be going in the same direction as they break away from the KISS principle.

I believe that Google has treated website designers, the people that supported and promoted Google from the start, with a complete lack of respect as they takeover their livelihood.

SEO is an industry, Web Design is an industry. These new Google Map listings push organic listings even further down the page. This becomes detrimental to long term survival of Google as well as the survival of website/seo people.

Why is this detrimental to Google?

Because Google will eventually charge you a fee to be on the maps, only 5 businesses listed, means only the big companies will be listed because of their bigger marketing budgets.

The small to medium business will then need to look at other marketing alternatives like returning to Yellow Pages or supporting another search engine like Bing or Yahoo.

It is a great concept for the user but, if it is not supported by business you will find that in years to come there wont be any up to date listings that Google will be able to show. (apart from the big companies).

Where to next?

I believe Google’s next big push will be the Google Phone which, if done correctly, can and will put Telstra and Optus out of business.

I can’t wait for the reselling opportunity as my website design and seo business probably only has 24 months of life left in it.

Thanks Google (sic)

By: Critical Local Search Factors To Pay Attention To - News: Everything-e

Critical Local Search Factors To Pay Attention To - News: Everything-e — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:36:37 +0000

[...] shown below the Map and an obvious pin to a Map centric view is visible along the left menu," notes local search blogger Mike Blumenthal. "In an of itself, the change means more SEO competition [...]

By: Tym Barker

Tym Barker — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:08:52 +0000

@JulieMarg: Sure, Sacramento, Orlando, Seattle, etc. these results *can* be OK, but for the other 98% of the people in the world they’re useless most of the time.

Take a trip to Bentonville, AR and try to find “the best” restaurant for lunch while in your car on your iPhone. 2 to 1 the best result will be a paid ad (if there is one).

@Matthew Hunt: Right on brother! A little broader view of the world also brings its advantages

By: Matthew Hunt

Matthew Hunt — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:20:35 +0000

I’m just loving the shake up in the local SERPs, can’t wait to see where it all settles. Sometimes the great thing about being Canadian is all these changes take so long to happen up here in Canada that by the time the dust settles in the US with all the changes, us Local SEO’ers in Canada can blaze in with in on the right path before Google adjusts things.

By: juliemarg

juliemarg — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:14:38 +0000

With plenty of academic surveys showing that people prefer the organic listings – Penn State said prefer organic 84% prefer sponsored 6% both 12% – Google could really annoy users.

Maybe they’ll be going to Facebook where you could pose a query – good italian restaurant Sacramento and see posts from thousands of Facebook users.

By: MiriamEllis

MiriamEllis — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:13:51 +0000

The layout is interesting and I would bet that it would drive more users into the options offered in the left nav. but, overall, the presentation is starting to remind me of those bad Adsense sites in which nothing but ads are displayed above the fold, with the content you actually want being shoved way down the page. I’m always running into websites that are supposed to be focused on serious subjects (like medical topics) but which are so dominated by advertising in the main body of the pages that I just can’t take them seriously. Interesting news, Mike…

By: Chiro

Chiro — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:21:43 +0000

Ohhhh i get it , you mean the guys posting purely for links lolzroflmao West Los Angeles Chiropractor