Google local - is 7 pack really gone
-
According to a searchengineland post, Google has replaced "7 pack" results. But they are still appearing for local queries. Like for query "pizza restaurant new delhi" ( in Google.co.in ), i can still see 7 pack results.
Has local and general search algorithms merged ?
-
Once again, a very detailed explanation. Thanks Ryan.
-
In the past the 7-pack results displayed in addition to the organic results. If you perform a "NY Pizza" search in Google you can still see the 7-pack at the top along with the 10 organic results.
Now the Places results appear mixed in with the organic results. Since the majority of users never make it past the first page of search results, they will never see any organic listings.
When I perform a search for "Sacramento Pizza" there are 12 results on the first page. The first 7 results are the old 7-pack results listed in a similar format to organic results. The next 4 results are all review sites like Yelp, Yellopages.com, etc. There is only a single remaining result on the first page for Rico's pizza.
Before there would have been many organic listings on the first page of SERPs. Now there is only one. That's a game changer.
-
Thanks Ryan for responding to my query.
"it is now even more important to obtain a Google Places listing."
Why is it more imp. now ? Please clarify ?
-
As Rand had previously suggested, a Google's Places listing sends a signal to Google and others that your business is real. It is another link which has to be earned. There is work required to obtain a Google Places listing and there are minimum requirements as well.
Based on the above my answer is yes, it is my opinion that a Google Places listing would have a positive effect on organic rankings. I don't have any evidence to this effect, but I believe strongly enough in it that I work to obtain Google Places listings for clients that don't have a local physical location. If you wanted to sell vitamins online but did not have a local store I would advise you to still create a Places listing because of the impact on organic rankings. It certainly can't hurt.
With the Places change that you mentioned in your original Q&A, it is now even more important to obtain a Google Places listing.
-
Thanks Ryan. What is your opinion on my other question, which i asked yesterday
"Does listing in Google places improve organic rankings".
I got the reply yesterday, but i thought you should be able to throw some light on this.
-
Thank you. That is an exceptionally well written article and I am sure the moz community will appreciate your sharing it.
From what I can tell, the change has not been fully implemented yet.
Query 1 - "Sacramento Pizza". The results appear in the new Place Search format.
Query 2 - "London Pizza". The results appear in the old 7-pack format.
So I theorized that like with many changes, it was rolled out with US sites first. But then I tried...
Query 3 - "NY Pizza". Of course "NY Pizza" is more of a pizza style then a locality, but the 7-pack appeared at the top with the organic results listed below just as in the past with the expected title "Places for pizza near New York, NY".
Queries for "Miami Pizza" and "Los Angeles Pizza" showed the new Place Search results.
Based on this limited testing, it appears the change has been rolled out in the U.S. but there are probably a few tweaks necessary.
Has local and general search algorithms merged
The idea behind the change clearly seems to offer local search priority in results. As the article shared, Google stated that the old results were still present but in the author's testing it seems the old results were replaced by the Places result and that would indicate a form of merger.
-
Yes, i should have done that.
Here's the link - http://searchengineland.com/new-place-search-shows-googles-commitment-to-local-53990
-
Whenever making a "according to..." statement, it would be helpful to offer a link to the information so we can all read and better understand the context of the statement. Can you please offer a link?
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Seeing different Google 3-Pack results on Android mobile browsers vs. IOS mobile browsers. Why is this?
I am researching new SEO recommendations in lieu of Google's controversial "3-Pack" update. I am noticing very different results in the Google 3-Pack on a android mobile browser when I do a local search query versus a query in apple mobile browser. For example if I do a Google search for "Seattle Sporting Goods" I am able to see direction links and full address numbers for businesses in the 3-Pack. However the same query on a Android phone provides only "teaser" street name results, no direction links but still shows business reviews. Is it possible that the 3-Pack update is still in flux? Shouldn't the Google 3-Pack show uniform results across all different mobile browsers? This could impact my SEO recommendations.
Image & Video Optimization | | RosemaryB0 -
Google + local Multiple Locations
My client has three offices and I have created three separate Google + local listings for them - I have listed the specific locations page as the website address for each - Google specifies to add the coding to the homepage to link Google + however what do we do with the three different codes - does each one go on the home page or at the bottom of the specific landing page for that particular office?
Image & Video Optimization | | AllieMc0 -
Google + Business Listing created with lost gmail account
Hi I wondered whether anyone can give me some guidance on how best to tackle this issue. A client of mine has claimed their spot on google Maps and has created a very basic local page on google + but now has forgotten their password for the gmail account. A colleague of mine has tried unsuccessfully to retrieve the password and to claim the listing. Question I have is - would you suggest creating a new gmail account for the client and a completely Google + local and claim the duplicate? I am so wary of local at the moment as the guidelines seem to be constantly shifting. Oh and I am based in New Zealand so all the most recent changes announced for the US haven't meandered their way over as far as here yet! Any responses gratefully received
Image & Video Optimization | | AllieMc0 -
Better ranking for google places
Hi, What can i do to rank better in Google for local listings? im already ranking number 1 for my keywords after local listings, but i really want to improve that, because im loosing a lot of traffic, I do have my business listed in local.yahoo.com, yelp citysearch.com etc.. and i constantly build my link to google places plage. Thanks
Image & Video Optimization | | vladraush990 -
Video SEO: Should I add Video Transcriptions to You Tube Videos Even with Google CC?
So, You Tube allows plenty of room from descriptions. I think 5,000 characters. Google does a poor Closed Caption of our audio. Should I also be adding accurate transcriptions to the description field in YouTube to help my Video SEO. What are the pro's cons and is it worth doing?
Image & Video Optimization | | BlairKuhnen1 -
Google Shopping
i am searching a tool which shows me the price ranking of my products in google shopping. that means when i type in a product which i sell in google shopping on which place is my ranking for this product. google has a free api to read this out but i just cant find a service that shows my ranking.
Image & Video Optimization | | droelfzwuenf0 -
Google Places Multiple Locations Strategy
Hi, I have client who is a psychology college that has multiple locations across the United States. We currently have a Google places setup for their main location which is in Chicago. They also have multiple locations in California and Washington d.c. My question is what is the best strategy for setting up Google places for each one of their locations? can it all be done from the Chicago Google places account or do I have to build out individual Google places accounts for each location. Thanks!
Image & Video Optimization | | MasonInteractive0 -
Google Places - Co Working Spaces
Hello, Hope this hasn't been answered but no combination of searches could turn it up. What is the impact for those using a co working space such as http://www.thenetworkhub.ca/ in regards to Google Places and local searches? Assumedly there will be multiple 'businesses' using the same address including suite number. Does this cause issue with Google understanding that these are truly legit 'offices' and work address for honest to goodness businesses? Suppose part of the challenge may be those using this address for just mail and answering... Guess my point is, will 20-40 people using the same address for their places profile be a problem? What alternatives exist for these folks? Thanks y'all!
Image & Video Optimization | | kyegrace0