Google local - is 7 pack really gone

[seoug_2005]

According to a searchengineland post, Google has replaced "7 pack" results. But they are still appearing for local queries. Like for  query "pizza restaurant new delhi"  ( in Google.co.in ), i can still see 7 pack results.

Has local and general search algorithms merged ?

[RyanKent]

Whenever making a "according to..." statement, it would be helpful to offer a link to the information so we can all read and better understand the context of the statement. Can you please offer a link?

[seoug_2005]

Yes, i should have done that.

Here's the link -   http://searchengineland.com/new-place-search-shows-googles-commitment-to-local-53990

[RyanKent]

Thank you. That is an exceptionally well written article and I am sure the moz community will appreciate your sharing it.

From what I can tell, the change has not been fully implemented yet.

Query 1 - "Sacramento Pizza". The results appear in the new Place Search format.

Query 2 - "London Pizza". The results appear in the old 7-pack format.

So I theorized that like with many changes, it was rolled out with US sites first. But then I tried...

Query 3 - "NY Pizza". Of course "NY Pizza" is more of a pizza style then a locality, but the 7-pack appeared at the top with the organic results listed below just as in the past with the expected title "Places for pizza near New York, NY".

Queries for "Miami Pizza" and "Los Angeles Pizza" showed the new Place Search results.

Based on this limited testing, it appears the change has been rolled out in the U.S. but there are probably a few tweaks necessary.

Has local and general search algorithms merged

The idea behind the change clearly seems to offer local search priority in results. As the article shared, Google stated that the old results were still present but in the author's testing it seems the old results were replaced by the Places result and that would indicate a form of merger.

[seoug_2005]

Thanks Ryan. What is your opinion on my other question, which i asked yesterday

"Does listing in Google places improve organic rankings".

I got the reply yesterday, but i thought you should be able to throw some light on this.

[RyanKent]

As Rand had previously suggested, a Google's Places listing sends a signal to Google and others that your business is real. It is another link which has to be earned. There is work required to obtain a Google Places listing and there are minimum requirements as well.

Based on the above my answer is yes, it is my opinion that a Google Places listing would have a positive effect on organic rankings. I don't have any evidence to this effect, but I believe strongly enough in it that I work to obtain Google Places listings for clients that don't have a local physical location. If you wanted to sell vitamins online but did not have a local store I would advise you to still create a Places listing because of the impact on organic rankings. It certainly can't hurt.

With the Places change that you mentioned in your original Q&A, it is now even more important to obtain a Google Places listing.

[seoug_2005]

Thanks Ryan for responding to my query.

"it is now even more important to obtain a Google Places listing."

Why is it more imp. now ? Please clarify ?

[RyanKent]

In the past the 7-pack results displayed in addition to the organic results. If you perform a "NY Pizza" search in Google you can still see the 7-pack at the top along with the 10 organic results.

Now the Places results appear mixed in with the organic results. Since the majority of users never make it past the first page of search results, they will never see any organic listings.

When I perform a search for "Sacramento Pizza" there are 12 results on the first page. The first 7 results are the old 7-pack results listed in a similar format to organic results. The next 4 results are all review sites like Yelp, Yellopages.com, etc. There is only a single remaining result on the first page for Rico's pizza.

Before there would have been many organic listings on the first page of SERPs. Now there is only one. That's a game changer.

[seoug_2005]

Once again, a very detailed explanation. Thanks Ryan.