Google Places is still rolling out... for an activity

[Sgt_Kickaxe]

My hobby was just introduced to Google places in the serps. There is no actual product, this is an activity, but there are of course products that are often associated with this activity and Google finally got around to listing the activity under a full set of "places" in serps.

Ironically wikipedia was brought from page 3 to #1 just ahead of places at the same time. Page #1 organic rankings are no longer worth the effort and as such neither is Google. There goes the neighborhood.

Just how far is Google places going to reach? Will we one day soon see places for searches like "how to peel potatoes" since special peeler tools exist?

[alexsel]

It's a pity. I work in the travel industry and Places is prevalent there. Some of it is relevant, some of it isn't. It seems very arbitrary. Google's goal is obvious. Retain users, keep them in search until they find their answer. That's where the value is. Then capitalize. Maps, Hotel Price ads and Flights are all helping them achieve this.

[Sgt_Kickaxe]

Places isn't search results, it's yellow pages, in fact places isn't even websites!

Worst part is that I already know whats down the street, I don't go to Google to find out, and now I don't enjoy going to Google to find new websites as much either.