Understanding Google My Business & Local Search
Google Testing Different Pack Layouts with the New Local Finder
Barry Schwartz noted (via Ryan Schilling at leadhub.net) a Google 3 Pack experiment that removed the Google Plus links.
For that same search I am seeing a different, new mobile 3 pack like display test (using Firefox) on the desktop. Interestingly the mobile like three pack comes with links to the new Local Finder that rolled out with the Snak Pak update in the third week of July. This new display is consistent with Google’s Material Design standards.
As Google + continues down the debranding path, I assume that we will see the complete disassociation of local results from it and the integration of the Local Finder instead.
The Local Finder essentially replaces the old Map list view with a light weight business listing focused display that works much better than Google Maps for discovery type browsing. It makes sense to me that it would become integrate with all local results and not just the snak pak.
Screenshot captured by Ryan Schilling:
What I see when searching on Safari or Chrome:
© Copyright 2024 - MIKE BLUMENTHAL, ALL RIGHT RESERVED.
Comments
5 Comments
Not happy with Google + fading away, I wonder if Google ever would break this social media jinx and ultimately come up with a winner. But I guess it would be better for them to stay in and better their strength in search segments, which they are doing by integrating local finder.
I wonder if they’ll do away with the Google + pages too…seems like that would impact Local Search in a significant way and also owners that have spent a lot of time on reviews and virtual tours etc.
Interesting development- thanks for sharing, Mike. I wonder how claiming and verifying a listing will work if Google+ pages are phased out. Any ideas?
@Lydia
The claiming and verifying will not change. That will occur via the Google MyBusiness dashboard as it has for the last long while and it will still create a Plus page. I don’t see Plus pages being phased out just yet.
@Mike
Great to know, thanks!
Comments for this post are closed.