Chicago Local SEO & Digital Marketing Consultant Near You
Today it happened.
At Googleās Performance Summit, they formally announced the ānext generation of local search adsā on Google and Google Maps. They also said they would be bringing more ābranded and customized experiences to Maps. What this means is anyone’s guess at this point.
Updated: July 20th, 2016
Yesterday, Cori Shirk found the Google My Business goldmine. A few weeks back, I remember hearing Google was going to be adding more information and guides to their Google My Business help section. I was skeptical on how much āinformationā they would be providing. Turns out, itās a good deal of information, 7 sections in total.
Lets roll through a few of the more interesting sections:
Itās been a bit since I last posted – nearly 3 months in fact. Been wicked busy and my brain has been focused on learning the ins and outs of my new gig. This post wonāt be anything ground breaking but should be fun.
I figured I should write a 2015 wrap up post since there was a good amount happening last year, not only in Local SEO, but to me as well. Letās just jump right in with some of the bigger happenings.
Updated July 25th, 2016
It has been over 2 months since Google reduced the Local results from 7 down to 3. Since the change, Iāve been attempting to analyzeĀ various items in the Pack – picture sizes, who is ranking, why they are ranking and what factors are keeping the businesses in the Local Stack. Iāve written several posts on how terrible the results are and what a poor experience the Local Stack has been so far. I think Google is doing some things to better the user experience but it still has a ways to go.
I have been noticing more and more small business, āmom and popā shops, located in the Local Stack since the change and decided to test my theory that big Brands are being pushed out of the Local results.
As being reported everywhere now, phone numbers and addresses returned to the Local 3 Pack today.
Ever since Google rolled out the new Local Stack and Local Finder, pictures within the Local Finder have been a huge problem.
I’ve been doing additional testing on the “new” Local Stack Pack and the Local Finder. Here are some additional observations from my testing:
Let’s go deeper.
I wanted to do some testing on the new Organic links showing in the Local Finder which just began rolling out the past few days. These listings are seemingly rolling out live for the whole country after some began seeing them this weekend and even more reported them today. Where isĀ G pulling the information in the Local Finder Organic section? Below are screenshots of test results.
A few quick things about the new Local Pack update Blumenthal is calling the Local Stack (so much for all my pushing of the Local 3 Pack).
As reported by Mike Blumenthal earlier this week, Google Local has shifted from theĀ 7 Pack to aĀ 3 pack. The shift was first reported as a possible test in various markets, is now rolled out to even more markets and should be nationwide soon.
The shift from a Local 7 Pack to a Local 3 Pack is a horrible user experience for several reasons.Ā Instead of seeing 5 or 7 local results, there are now only 3. Those three local results: