Embedded GBP Map Affect Rankings?

[valentinb13]

Question about embedding the GBP map on a page: is there any research that has been done regarding if it affects rankings in local pack/maps?

I'm having an internal discussion about this — someone says they're seeing ranking improvements when they embed the map on a page. They say they have noticed upticks in rankings (on trackers) after embedding a map on the site.

I'm saying it doesn't help/affect maps rankings — if it did, why wouldn't we just build/add links to the GBPs?

Referring to embedding a map like this:

(not my client)

The thing is, I have no research or haven't found any good info one way or the other (maybe I haven't researched enough).

I'm all for embedding it as a tool to help users if they need to find directions/get an idea where the company is located but aside from that I can't see it being of much value.

 

[JS Girard]

In five years I've been collecting articles, I've seen no test going in that direction. I have recently seen one test indicating that it can be good for organic web results though. SearchPilot saw a statistically significant dip in traffic after removing embedded maps from location pages.

 

[fisicx]

There is only one way to find out. Embed the map and see what happens.

But...

There is a difference between embedding the GBP map and using the map API.

You may need to test both especially as one uses an iframe (which Google doesn't like) and one doesn't.

The search pilot article seems to suggest the embedded map used the API rather than the GBP link.

 

[willy_evans]

To me, the question is does the map impact the rankings or is the inclusion of a map improving user metrics which in turn impacts rankings.

If running a test, it'd be important to make sure that adding the map is the only change you're making and that it's not part of a larger page redesign or anything.

 

[JoyHawkins]

We are halfway through testing this on a bunch of clients. So far the results are very meh. The only improvements we have seen are on the organic side, just like the Search Pilot test. I plan on publishing our findings later once we're done but as it stands right now it's looking like this is something that doesn't hurt to do, but not something I would list as a high priority or expect to see amazing results from.

 

[fisicx]

We are halfway through testing this on a bunch of clients.

Are you embedding the GBP map or using the API?

 

[JoyHawkins]

Embedding the GBP map.

 

[fisicx]

Embedding the GBP map.

Might be worth testing using the API as this is what SearchPilot did in their tests.