Google+ Local Replaces Google Places

[travelin cat]

Today we’re rolling out Google+ Local, a simple way to discover and share local information featuring +ZAGAT scores and recommendations from people you trust in Google+.

From the new “Local” icon on the left-hand side of Google+, you can search for specific places or browse for ones that fit your mood. Clicking on any place will take you to a local Google+ page that includes photos, Zagat’s high-quality scores and summaries, reviews from people in your circles and other information like address and opening hours.

[plus.google.com...]

Also:

Continue to manage through Google Places for Business
If you are a business owner, you should continue to manage your information in Google Places for Business. You’ll still be able to verify your basic listing data, make updates, and respond to reviews. For those who use AdWords Express, your ads will operate as normal as they’ll automatically redirect people to the destination you selected, or your current listing.

[googleandyourbusiness.blogspot.com...]

[Leosghost]

Worldwide "rollout" using ZAGAT..who don't operate "worldwide" at all :)..
Plus a thinly veiled "create a Google+ page for your business" ( or "be nowhere" <=that is the thinly veiled threat in "local" ) no matter what your country, town etc may be..

Iron hand in Googley glove.."you will join Google+,and smile while you do so, you know it is in your best interests"..

Also one step closer to forcing of de facto "hosted by Google" for small businesses..either sign up to "local" on Google+ terms or be well below the fold..all it will cost you is your independence and your traffic data..

[bhartzer]

Right now, from here in Dallas, I'm not seeing any of this yet. It doesn't look like it has been rolled out to the Google "regular" SERPs yet. Only way I can get to it is by being logged in to Google+ and searching from within Google+.

Am I missing something? Still seeing Places pages from here.

[travelin cat]

We are not seeing it yet either, except in Google+. Places still is the same. They did say that they are "rolling it out", so it may take a while.

[bordering]

There were portals for verticals, now there's going to be one big portal for all the verticals. Is that a horizontal? Unless some serious competition comes along (and there's not much sign of it as yet) this is perhaps something to be concerned about.

[armondhammer]

Google is aware that there are local businesses that aren't restaurants or spas right?

That said, I can't seem to see any info on if they will be providing any of the data they did with Google Places with the new update. Any hints there?

[incrediBILL]

Google is aware that there are local businesses that aren't restaurants or spas right?

From the sampling of cities I just checked for my niche (not restaurants) the local listings were missing more often than they were present which wasn't recently the case.

Google Places or whatever are missing now from some major urban areas like San Fran but showing up for San Mateo?

Did show up on San Jose, but not New York unless I added another keyword to the search.

Very odd.

[backdraft7]

Another "rollout" means another "upset" which means get in the unemployment line.

@AH - Apparent Google is the only company that can operate "globally" - to them, the rest of us are nothing more than "local" Mom & Pops, even if our business model is global...

[Sgt_Kickaxe]

...from people you trust in Google+

Google - If I want the opinion of someone I know I contact them directly, but thanks. Also, I know exactly where all the local businesses are already, I live here. Did you REALLY need to upset your serps further with this?

[CainIV]

Considering the mess with merged listings and 4-6+ week delays for some current businesses in local in their old system I am surprised this is rolling out.

On second thought maybe I am not.

[albo]

...from people you trust...

...Or folks who have earned "paid inclusion" in your trusted circle: [marketingland.com...]

[gregorysmith]

Hi,

wonder if we will have to apply for Google+ local, as like we did with Google places? I just love new updates such as these!

greg smith

[AnkitMaheshwari]

I see that "Related Places" is back in the local listing if it opens in local.google.com while it shows as "similar places" in Google + Local

[Catalyst]

Hi guys - it's still rolling out and you may continue to see the old Place pages in some areas until around Monday. But gradually they should all change over by then.

"That said, I can't seem to see any info on if they will be providing any of the data they did with Google Places with the new update. Any hints there?"

Data meaning stats? Or data meaning the type of data you add in your dashboard that shows on the old Place pages?

If you mean the latter - 2 features of Places that aren't going to be available (at least now) are video uploads and posting updates to your Place page.

Linda

[Sgt_Kickaxe]

Flights

Based on your search query, we think you are trying to find a flight. Clicking this box will show you results from providers that can fulfill your request. Google may be compensated by some of these providers.

Hotels

Based on your search query, we think you are trying to find a hotel. Clicking this box will show you results from providers that can fulfill your request. Google may be compensated by some of these providers.

Finance

Based on your search query, we think you are trying to find a checking account. Clicking this box will show you results from providers that can fulfill your request. Google may be compensated by some of these providers.

Google is being very careful to avoid being viewed as a paid engine, even now. The above are tucked neatly into a question mark popup and not displayed prominently.

Most foods, services or products
- Above the fold is google places, which is paid.
- Most product related informational searches now have a "Google Shopping" affiliate offering mixed into the first page of results.

Google 2001

We have no plans for a paid inclusion program. As we’ve stated in the past, our search results represent our editorial integrity

Google 2004 statement included with IPO filing

Google users trust our systems to help them with important decisions: medical, financial and many others. Our search results are the best we know how to produce. They are unbiased and objective, and we do not accept payment for them or for inclusion or more frequent updating.

What a difference 10 years has made, Google is no longer the same company. To get any kind of prominent positioning that simply being #1-3 USED to provide now requires cash on an increasing basis.

How is it a good thing that now our friends and family are being tapped into to further the above?

[SenorLoco]

Google is coming to my city in June to hold a free seminar to show local area businesses how to integrate Google+ and increase their exposure.

[francie brady]

It just keeps getting scarier and scarier.

[Catalyst]

And I think they just announced Google Shopping will be pay to play now.

Linda

[Leosghost]

From October..BBC carried the story yesterday..
[bbc.com...]

[earlpearl]

@Sgt_Kickaxe oh man. that is a great post!

[Web_speed]

@Sgt_Kickaxe, great post!

Things WE can and should be doing immediately:

1) Stop using Google or any Google products or at least reduce our usage to the minimum possible...

2) Tell all our friends and family why we did, using every possible online/offline channel available...

No other way of beating this monster unfortunately ...litigation is years away... it is up to us!

[Panthro]

Anyone else get a call supposedly from Google Local? It was an automated call talking about how great G Local is and gave the option of speaking with a G Local expert. I pressed "1" to do that, but it just had me hanging for a while so I hung up lol.

[Catalyst]

That wasn't a call from Google. Google IS making calls to users but they are verification calls and they don't do automated calls.

When you get a robo call it's from someone selling some listing service and trying to make it SOUND like they are Google. Tons of companies are doing it.

Next time just check caller ID and plug the # into G search. Most of those companies have pages of complaints about being a scam.

Linda

[Panthro]

Thanks Linda. I figured, just wanted to make sure. I stayed on the line to have a little fun, but oh well, maybe next time.