Google has introduced its new format of displaying Google Places or “local business” results on the Search Engine Results Page (SERP). The first and most noticeable change is the trademark red pin is now grey. The pin drop only displays the classic red if the users cursor is located over the designated business. Other changes include the map displaying the local results has decreased in size and has been pushed up into the top left corner of the results. The local results themselves are broken down into two columns. The first column displays the business name, website and total number of Google reviews. The second column displays the ranking, address and phone number.

New 7 Pack

Here is an example of Google’s new local search results format for a 7- Pack of business results.

New 1 Pack

If Google determines the user is looking for a specific company Google will generate a SERP format which devotes the majority of the results page to the desired business’s information. The Business Places information fills the entire left sidebar where PayPer-Click adds typically generate.

Impact of the change:

This is the second major format change Google has made to the way local results are displayed this year. The changes seem to be based on Google desire to provide users with the most relevant and largest amount of information. Although the information that generates for each business in the local results is completely dependent how much information the given business has shared with online resources and directories. Further showing the value of local search optimization for both small and large businesses.

What does the future hold?

Google Places is continually going through algorithm updates and format changes to stay up to date and ahead of the competition. However, it will be interesting to see if these most recent changes will somehow be linked to Google + in the future we are not sure but the changes are keep everyone on their toe.
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