Understanding Google My Business & Local Search
Is Google Reducing the Local Search Result Footprint?
I first noticed this yesterday where every search for “storage + city” returned a 3-pack result regardless of the city that was searched (ie storage Toronto, storage Detroit, storage Miami etc etc etc ). This was true even on international searches like storage Paris, Fr.This change apparently occurred about two weeks ago and despite doing a range of searches both logged in and not, the “storage + city” never returned a Blended Result nor a Pack other than the 3-Pack.
While this search result was strange enough, today at least, many search results that were returning 7 Blended results or the 7-Pack are now returning many fewer pinned results.
So my questions for you:
1)Are any of you in the storage business and how long have you been seeing this 3-pack only result?
2)For all of you, are your local searches now returning fewer pinned results in the main SERPS?
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Comments
131 Comments
“dj in san francisco” is a 10-Pack! Whoo Hoo!
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My original search for ‘hotels san francisco’ that was returning 3 results the day this article was published is now returning 4 results. Just thought I’d update. A tiny bit of growth.
I am also seeing that the view of the local area has slightly moved, thus not seeing my location. Has anyone else noticed a shift in the view?
I have noticed that due to google instant a localized search no longer needs to have a place name in it.
On the lefthand side of the search screen you will notice that there is an option to change location.
If I type “laptop repair” it shows my listing at #1 but if I finish the search and and “croydon” the map zooms to only cover the town center and my listing does not appear anymore.
I wish google had not updated as search results are not relevant as they used to be.
Because of this shift Im in the proccess of opening a new shop in the town center.
@Steve
The Place page now plays second fiddle to websites in most results.
@Jeffery
Yes one of the stranger outcomes has been the appearance of 9 and 10 packs.
@Miriam
obviously still very fluid
@Steve
the search area is a function of many factors and can move from time to time. See my post on Location sensitivity.
@Graham
It is a complicated beast. Rather than stress about specific search phrases you need to worry about making your site the best it can be, converting more visitors and increasing your online prominence. It is a never ending task.
Mike
Sorry to be a pest but could you post a link
Steve
Mike
Don’t worry I found it
Love your work!
Steve
@Steve
Thank you but I need to correct you…. its play not work!
As of 2/15 – now seeing 7 packs return for auto repair terms.
@tim
Four only lasted for a while… seven seems to be the new “normal”, today.
Emphasis on “today”.
@Brian
Yes…today!
Hmmm… still seeing only 3 packs in Albany NY (which interestingly enough, was ranked by Acxiom as the #1 “test market” in America in 2004 -)
Also unchanged: “plastic surgeon albany ny” still displays 3 listings all from the same practice/group (phone & address for all 3 listings = exact matches… How does Google’s algorithm not notice the difference between a practice and its practitioners? If they’re going to show a 3 pack, the least they could do is show 3 different practices.
Same goes for “liposuction albany ny”
Breaking news from sunny Brighton England…
4 pack returns to 7…
However content of 7 pack is not up to scratch, poorly optimized, no reviews, no websites and no citations.
Hmm makes all that work on my page 2 site seem worthwhile!
peace….
Yes, all seems to be back to “normal” for now, whatever normal means.
I still don’t see how a 3 pack provides the “best, most relevant” result for a user so makes much more sense for G to move back to a 7+ pack. Clearly they are testing and moving things around quite a bit which is the same thing they are doing with the organic non local results each week. I also think the missing descriptions today are just a short term glitch and will be restored in due time.
Since early ths morning the 7-packs were being displayed, however, about an hour ago, the dreaded 3-packs came back.
Anyone else see this?
I’ve been seeing 7 packs in our market for the past week, but no descriptions, which I find very troubling. Being in a Places pack with no description isn’t helpful to those looking for services IMO.
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With the new format Places results, is there an easy way to tell the difference between pure and blended packs?
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Having google change the rules has really hurt my pet odor removal business. Having them change from places to Google + Local has really cut down on the number of page views I get. I hope this gets settles out quickly.
It seems it is taking forever for Google to merge the new Google Plus page and Google Places. Is there a quick way to get google to merge them in a timely manner. this is a 2 year old places page to merge with a new Google Plus
Don
You might be able to claim the listing into a new account and then google might merge the two pages. Might, might, might.
You are best off waiting.
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