Did Google Search Just Get Crazy Local?

[G2W]

Well said, Marcus.

[LindaBuquet]

David, assumed you were talking organic but then you said:  "Google's listings were giving precedence to locality. It was to a very extreme degree, as in when searching for "web design," a firm a mile away ranked higher than one 1.5 miles away and such."

Since you mentioned distance thought then that maybe you were looking at a map result, so I wanted to clarify and make sure you were not seeing something new. But I guess since you know the area you just know where others in your market are located.

BTW on a semi related note, I just announced the new Local Carousel display was officially launched. Pretty exciting! (Related talking about Google Local algo and display changes at least.)

[G2W]

Local Carousel is pretty cool, Linda. I did not know it had launched yet!

I assume they finally switched over a proprietary rating system and it's not Zagat based any more (I can only get the carousel to come up for restaurants)?

[LindaBuquet]

Just announced this AM. If you read my post previously, read again. I just added a Q & A from Googler Jade.

I just got the carousel to come up myself now. Does not work for me on Chrome but does on FF oddly. So I'm off to explore and see what I can figure out.

[G2W]

I was just looking at it on Chrome for the sample term "italian restaurant". It also works in Firefox for me. Are you running a Mac? I'm on one of our office PCs right now.

[LindaBuquet]

I'm on PC but only shows for me on FF not Chrome yet.

[MiriamEllis]

Great discussion going on here! David, I will ask our help staff to look at your question #1.

[G2W]

Thanks, Miriam!

[DavidLee]

Hi David,

To answer your first question what you are seeing does not affect Moz at all as we use multiple IPs to avoid bias. In OpenSiteExplorer links are not affected by locality.

Check out the FAQ we have for Universal Rankings at the bottom of this link: http://moz.com/help/pro/rankings

Hope that helps!

[G2W]

Thanks David. Very helpful info.