Yesterday Google made a pretty huge announcement in regards to local search queries. Traditionally local listings would appear at the top of the search engine however they will soon integrate these listings within the main organic results as one.
Don’t understand? Here is the official experiment zone:
The integration of the listings has moved the map to the right hand side above the sponsored links. Leaving the Google places listings covering seven listings within the typical organic area. There are traditional organic listings but they fall below this and the likelihood of these being clicked has diminished with preference placed on the pushing local businesses.
Is there a change in algorithm involved with this? We think so. We believe a gap has been bridged between Google local listings algorithm and the natural search algorithm into one algorithm.
Where do we see this going? Of course Local businesses will benefit from this and those without a physical address in the area they are targeting will suffer. We do however see correlation between strong organic listings and a present Google local listing.
Garage Doors Leeds:
A search within the current Google set up for ‘Garage doors Leeds’ returns ABI Garage doors as ranked number 1 organically but number 2 on the Local business listings. Within the new integrated experiment view (as above) Garage doors has been given the number 1 position. The joint algorithm values a website based upon its authority within both organic listings and Google local listings.
What will this affect?
Any searches using local permutations are affected. This includes Counties, Cities and in other examples we looked at the use of England triggered the local ad’s within the experimental surrounding.
Google have been quite vague with this so far. Any indication as to when this will be rolled out is unclear. Our initial research shows that if you have strong local SEO aligned with a local business listing then you should be in good shape to deal with the change in how listings are displayed. That is if Google doesn’t decide to change it again.
Thanks for reading,
Martin: That would be telling!...
Gary Beal: Hi Mate,
I have used both for years. Apparently...
A great article,
it’s amazing how much a little change by Google can affect search results so dramatically, but to be honest I don’t think the change will last. If I wasn’t a regular Google user and I noticed these different search results it would confuse me. I think this change in their algorythm will only confuse people.
We’ll just have to wait and see, end of the day Google knows best..
Very informative article in the sense of local listing and organic listing.
And very helpful who want to know about this.
Thanks
Web page can either appear under the Local listing (maps) or in the standard organic listings, not on both.
It not necessary that we getting the position on local listing and organic listing. Both are different thing. It could possible to live both places. Here lot of website are present in local listing and organic listing for same keywords.
Its hard work for most people to keep up with Google at the moment. Relatively speaking I think we are on the cusp of a mini revolution of technologies on and offline, with a merger of the two heading up most innovations. This pressurises the authorirites such as Google to further refine and redefine what good SERPS consist of. The worry is that they actually start to make misjudgments as a result of the mounting pressure.