Here is an example of what we are now seeing based on a search for “pizza”:



The idea to remove the link was to “improve the local search experience” according to Jade Wang from Google. So now then Google’s answer to how people can find your business remains unchanged.  From Google:

How will people find my business?

Millions of people search for businesses on Google. Your listing will also be available through Google Web Search, Google Maps, Mobile search, 1-800-GOOG-411 voice directory search, Google Earth, and Google+. On any of these services, if someone searches directly for your business name and city, your listing will most likely show up. We also may show your listing for searches for your business category or other related terms.

Available through Google Web Search, huh?  Why the removal of the link then?  Have you noticed any other changes?  For example have you noticed that when Google shows a 7-pack of local results, there is no longer an option to see “More results near [location]“.   In addition, last month, Google updated their “look and feel” for Google Places in an effort to upgrade the interface so that it is simpler and more easy to use.  One of the benefits stated by Google was to better integrate with other Google products (Adwords Express and Google Offers etc).  However something that is interesting from Google’s announcement was that we should expect to see a new interface coming soon.

What to do next
If you’re an existing user of Google Places for Business, this new interface is coming soon. You’ll receive an email notification once we’ve upgraded your account, and see the new interface once you sign in as usual. If you haven’t yet verified your business listing, now is the time to do it!

So what does this mean for the business owner?

• Google is working on a new local search experience – making it easier to promote your business.  We should expect more changes to come.  Pay attention to Google’s announcements on local Search by submitting your email address to receive Google Places for Business Updates or by checking out Google’s Place help center.
• Google Plus – obviously Google is still trying to push user towards using Google+.  The end result of these recent changes by Google is that for the first time in many years there is no local search option available from the front page of Google other than the main search box. Users can only make it to Google’s local search options if they are in Plus.  It looks like Google+ or G+ or whatever Google is going to brand it as is here to stay… at least for now.  If you haven’t already, you should get acquainted with Google + Business.
• Leverage Rich Snippets – things like Schema data for ratings and reviews or any local information, author markup etc.  We have noticed (as other have pointed out) that with some local search queries, we are seeing extra rich snippets in the 7-pack of local listings that are shown as seen in this example below featuring Roto-Rooter with a search for “plumber charlotte nc”:

A couple of tips and reminders when leveraging Google Places for your business:

• Verify your business listings on Google Places
• Represent your business exactly as it appears in the offline world
• Use a precise, accurate address to describe your business location
• Select at least one category from the list of available categories when adding your business
• Use a local phone number as opposed to a call center number whenever possible

Ultimately, at the end of the day, Google is simply trying to make their local search results more integrated and “seamless”.  Expect more changes in upcoming weeks.  Continue to follow Google’s guidelines for Local Business.

For more information on what changes have happened to Google Places, check out Google’s response here. The post is from May 3, 2013 where Google refers to their new local search experience, Google+ Local.  Can you say identity crisis?


About the Author
Jody has been specializing in organic search for the better part of the past decade. Having spent seven years with Mediative (formerly Enquiro), Jody has dealt with some of the largest brands in the world reviewing sites, providing insightful analysis and mapping online strategies for our clients. Jody has contributed articles to leading industry resources such as Search Engine Guide, Web Pro News Canada, Search Engine Journal and his own blog Marketing-Jive.com. Jody has created and developed SEO for Website Redesign solutions, has prepared numerous SEO best practices and is an advocate of continuous improvement. Jody plays a key role in helping Mediative deliver cutting edge search strategies, assisting clients with adapting to the ever-changing online universe.