The Local Stack Rollout - A New Day In Local

[Travis_Bailey]

Desktop Fun:

Well, if a listing doesn't have a site linked to their Google MyOMGWTFBBQ (If they can't make up their mind, that's what I'm calling it.) and they rely on service calls, that business is kind of screwed for the time being.

Yeah, one would have a higher likelihood of clicking on the business name section - if we're only talking about pixel height and width. But that graphic, though. People look for buttons, even if that button is only 84x106 on desktop.

People click on graphics. They don't visit plumbers.

Developer Console (emulated mobile):

I'm getting the little phone handset (what an anachronism) icon.

[DonnaDuncan]

Disappointing.

I suppose not supplying the phone numbers will encourage a few more folks to click on the "more" link at the bottom (hoping to find one). It'll certainly be interesting to watch.

One thing that strikes me is the all the wasted real estate off to the right where the map used to display. When Ads are available, they're posted but often there is nothing but white space. I have a hard time imagining Google plans on leaving the space vacant for long.

[MiriamEllis]

Hi Travis,

Yes, I'm seeing phone icons on mobile, but not on desktop ... and no addresses.

[MiriamEllis]

Hey Donna,

Agree with you. So much white space on so many SERPs, it looks like a blizzard. One thing I've been thinking about regarding this, as many Local SEOs are speculating that this could be a step on the path to monetized packs and also considering Google's move into the home service fulfillment arena - what if we will see an iteration of this in future where you have to pay to get your address/phone to show? And on mobile, what if Google started charging for clicks on the phone icons? I wonder...

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this!

[DonnaDuncan]

Yes, I don't expect that space to remain vacant for long. It's so hard for small businesses to compete. I really hope we don't see Google try to monetize it.

[Travis_Bailey]

Those that have an address listed tend to have the Directions icon. Which isn't terribly useful for businesses that don't typically generate foot traffic. Poor SABs.

I initially thought The Googles were attempting to do away with the phone part of NAP confusion, for people. You know, click the Website icon... more than likely they'll get access to a good phone number. It may be unthinkable if all the listings have been well managed, but I would imagine that's the exception and not the rule.

I really want to know what they were thinking when they made packs for restaurants. No directions... no phone number... until one clicks through on a listing. Then you get what you wanted to know about to begin with (the actual listing... with phone, directions, menu...) followed by results related to the actual company. There's a difference between the click through display on desktop and mobile, but the gist is similar.

It seems like The Googles has been listening to an exceedingly drunk and confused focus group.

[Travis_Bailey]

Think of desktop search as a dying breed. That real estate doesn't really exist on mobile and tablet.

[Travis_Bailey]

Interesting thing... I was spoofing my user agent in developer's tools. Queries from Nexus and iPad tablets still return the old map pack et. al. Interesting. I kind of thought of mobile and tablet as 'one thing', but apparently it's not - at least at the moment.

Confirmed it on physical tablets I have laying around. Yay internet appliances!

LrraIRp.png

[DonnaDuncan]

I'm seeing snack packs on my iPad.

[Travis_Bailey]

What do you get for 'Plumber NYC'?

[DonnaDuncan]

A three pack.

fDNINnG

[Travis_Bailey]

That's a little odd. I'm still getting the old results.