Find Results Carousel

[rayrober]

Anyone have any ideas as why Google has introduced Find Results Carousel showing other directories on its Local Search results ( appears below the ads but above the Local Pack)? Seems a rather odd move given their usual strategy of trying keep searchers within the Google eco system.

 

[StephanieNewton]

Hi Ray!

It seems to be a reaction to the EU's antitrust policy. Google has been fined in the past for not providing consumers with sufficient choice/competition, so putting third-party directories above even their own results means they likely won't be penalised again.

The slight peculiarity is that the new display has rolled out in the UK, which is now outside the EU— but we'll see if it reverts back once Google has fully switched UK data over to its US database on 31st March.

I actually just wrote up a blog on this if you want any more detail

 

[Lluc]

Hi @rayrober,

Stephanie explains it very well in her post, recommended reading !

It has been available in Spain for at least a week, if not longer...

 

[rayrober]

Hi Ray!

It seems to be a reaction to the EU's antitrust policy. Google has been fined in the past for not providing consumers with sufficient choice/competition, so putting third-party directories above even their own results means they likely won't be penalised again.

The slight peculiarity is that the new display has rolled out in the UK, which is now outside the EU— but we'll see if it reverts back once Google has fully switched UK data over to its US database on 31st March.

I actually just wrote up a blog on this if you want any more detail

Hi Stephanie
Thanks for responding and your blog post explains it brilliantly - We are pretty sorted in terms of other citations but as you say it certainly puts an additional importance on them outside of ranking.

 

[StephanieNewton]

I'm glad to hear the blog post was of use to you both!

It is certainly interesting to see directories regain some more influence with this update.