Forum Moderators: Robert Charlton & goodroi
"Customized for Los Angeles metro area, US."
Anyone else seen this?
It seems that it only happens if Google thinks you are looking for a service.
This hardly seems an improvement (in most cases).
If you're talking about what I think you are, this appeared in April 2009....
Local Results Showing for Generic Search Terms
[webmasterworld.com...]
Since this started appearing, they've improved the display of some results next to the map a little. They're still way off with regard to useful location info in metro area.
The SERPs had no local results, just the caveat about the search results being customized.
Location: If you're signed in to your Google Account, your search results may be customized for a default location that you've previously specified (for example, in Google Maps). If you're not signed in, then results may be customized for an approximate location based on your IP address.If you'd like Google to use a different location, you can sign in to or create a Google Account and provide a city or street address. Your specific location will be used not only for customizing search results, but also to improve your experience in Google Maps and other Google products.
Features: Search customization details [google.com]
tedster
I know about the localization, but I had never seen the localization notice displayed below the SERPs.
I just ran a couple of queries of the kind that Google is automatically localizing (even when you're not signed in). Both were returned with local business results and maps box, but only one (of the two I tried) returned the localization notice.
In response to my IP, it reads...
Customized for San Francisco metro area, US. More details
Here's an edited and anonymized version of the details page that's returned if you click on the "More details" link...
When possible, Google will customize your search results based on location and/or recent search activity. Additionally, when you're signed in to your Google Account, you may see even more relevant, useful results based on your web history.The following information was used to improve your search results for widgets:
Location Your approximate location has been identified as San Francisco metro area, US.
Based on your IP address: xx.yyy.zzz.nnSign in to use a specific location.
If you're curious, you can see what a search for widgets looks like without these improvements.
The 'More details' link on your search results page can be used to display this page for approximately 30 minutes, after which it will no longer show this page.
I'm near San Francisco, but not in San Francisco, and SF metro area results don't help me in either of the searches I tried. It appears that Google would very much like us to sign in, but they're determined to take a first shot at if even if we're not.
