Google Mixes Up the SERPS (again) with “Places”

Have you noticed the new search result  look Google has been returning when you do a local search?  No? Well give it a try!

Google has Integrated "Places" Into Their Organic Listings

For months now rumors have been flying around that Google’s “Local 7 Pack” would be changing location, moving to the right hand column above the paid advertising.  Well that has happened….partially.

The map has moved to the right hand column but the “Local 7 Pack” has been integrated into the organic search results.  So far our initial research has shown that the 7 pack results are being placed into the organic results either as a “block”, similar to the previous style, sans map, or integrated into the results themselves.

Why The Local Listing Change?

Of course no one but the inner circle at Google really knows why they made the change but I would bet that this move has been driven by the trend to mobile internet (smartphone) use.  Google reads the same studies that we here at FetchLocalCustomers do and that data indicates that when someone is searching  for a local product or service they plan to make a local off-line purchase and so it makes sense to integrate their “Places” data.

What This Change Means for Your Business

If you have been following our advice to the letter then you are in good shape already!  The FetchLocalCustomers strategy has always included optimized “Places” listings (ditto for Yahoo Local and BING Local listings)  in addition to local SEO best practices.  It’s too early to tell how much of a “boost” a Places listing gives to a business’ site in the overall algorithm but it seems pretty clear that if you don’t have a Places account, then you had better get one pretty quickly.

Google “Places” The New Battlefield?

Google rarely lists more than 7 “Places” listings within the results page so it’s imperative that you win on this new battlefield.  Do you know what key factors determine whether your business is going to be displayed in the top 7?

Well we do! And given the importance that having a top 7 spot in “Places” is to new customer acquisition you I will respectfully suggest that this is something you DO NOT want to go alone.  Please, just call us and we’ll take care of it for you.

Do I Need A Website Anymore?

As you look at the newly revised local organic SERPS you might question whether or not you need a website, since you can have a “Places” listing without one.  Here’s what you need to remember.  First, most people who are searching are not looking to immediately buy, they are looking for decision supporting information (credibility factors, education, trust factors) and if you only have just a phone number and not a website then you are going to lose 9 times out of 10.

Second, the move to mobile means that not only do you need a website but you need a mobile compatible website too so that your new potential customers can access decision supporting information on the go.

Finally, don’t think for a minute that this is the end of Google’s latest shift on local search results. This is just the beginning and if I were a betting man I would bet that Google will soon be giving extra weight to those businesses that have both a “Places” listing AND a high quality, content rich site.  It only makes sense, right?

Don’t have  a Google “Places” Account Yet?

Well, we can create a basic “Places” account, a BING local account, a Yahoo local account and a whole lot more for some pretty amazingly low prices.  Check it out now and then place your order.  As you can imagine this has become a very popular request!

Related posts:

1. Google – YMMV