Comments on: Google’s Blue Interface (aka Jazz) Is Approaching – What is your Hands on Take?

By: New Google Layout Now (Mostly) Live | Understanding Google Maps & Local Search

Thu, 06 May 2010 13:50:46 +0000

[...] of changes as it relates to local, some of which pushed organic results further down the page than others. In the end though the final changes will not result in any significant difference when local [...]

By: Google Jazz Interface and the 7 Pack Are Evolving – How will it affect organic display? | Understanding Google Maps & Local Search

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:35:58 +0000

[...] the new interface, which was rolled out on a very limited basis in November, was showing only a 5- Pack of local listings. Earlier this month it was modified once again to show the 7 Pack. The new tweak cleans up the [...]

By: Google’s Jazz Interface Returns to the 7-Pack | Understanding Google Maps & Local Search

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:58:39 +0000

[...] upcoming Jazz interface, which was showing a 5 pack on local searches since it was introduced on a test basis last year is now showing the 7-Pack (Hat tip to PureSheer). [...]

By: kevin darner

kevin darner — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 10:15:27 +0000

Its about time!! google has been using the same look for the last 5 years. They need to change the layout of the search engine because its time for a change. bing.com and yahoo.com have both changed there look and style within the last year. Google needs to realize that it needs to keep up with change if it wants to stay ahead of the pack

By: Kim Foo Young

Kim Foo Young — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 21:30:39 +0000

It seems like they are yanking the concept Bling has of the categorization on the left. Considering the ultimate goal of space usage utopia I think this is a pretty big waste of pagescape.

By: Brian Combs

Brian Combs — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:00:55 +0000

Joe,

It sounds like your issues are with the algo, not the design IMHO. Certainly, quality of map results can be a problem. But those of us local SEO’s who are not spamming the system are working to improve those results. Google’s working on it as well, with varying levels of success.

And “best” versus “closest” is a matter of determining intent and scoring results. No easy task, but I think Google is getting better and better at that.

Google is also getting better at determining the searcher’s exact location, so you can expect the results to move from local to hyper-local.

None is this matters if above the fold consists of one map listing, one organic listing, and a bunch of paid listings.

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:48:46 +0000

For about the last 5 months, I really feel like Google is making changes that can actually hurt them. This is coming from a person that loves Google. I have always thought what has made Google great was the simplicity. The simple one box search, and producing the MOST relevant results. Now they seem to be cluttering their results. (I do agree this is “cleaner” than what they are currently showing with local). It is starting to feel cluttered like the old Yahoo and I think we remember what happened to them in the search game. This will be interesting to watch as Bing seems to be simplifying their results. The other reason I am not a fan of maps/local is sometimes folks want the best company, not the closest. In addition, the map results can be way off.

By: Tim

Tim — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:27:44 +0000

I’ve got to agree with Brian on this one. I think we should take an over/under on how long it’ll take before all map results are 1 boxes.

I checked it out, and the results were not what I would call “good”. I got 2 PPC listings at the top in addition to the right side bar, leaving room for only the map and about 1.5 listings above the fold in the main column.

Something about a search engine that doesn’t provide more than 2 unpaid results above the fold just does not sound appealing to me. Whether the general public will notice or not, I can’t say, but I certainly noticed and was not a fan.

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 17:03:57 +0000

@David

I narrow the screen to make it visually fit better on my blog. So yes, at real resolutions it is not so funky.

You might want to try it a second time. It worked on my second try with firefox.

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:59:10 +0000

Visually, I think it is much more appealing. Especially with local search, the map is nice and big. I hardly ever use the map, but it is definitely appealing.

The advance search features being there are really helpful. My guess is that users will find it more helpful. And I like the blue and the design is a big enough deviation that I think users will notice.