Google removes maps pages

[katandmouse]

What's up with this message at BrightLocal today? anyone know what's going on and what Google has up their sleeves?

Major Google Update: Removed Maps Listing Pages PageToday Google removed their Maps results pages so they are no longer accessible. We currently use these pages to get Google+ Local ranking results & Google+ Local top competitor details.

 

[RossM]

Hi Katandmouse,

Yes, Google removed their map results pages, which affects our ability to retrieve Google+ Local ranking results & Google+ Local top competitor details. Unfortunately we had no prior warning of this - but we are working towards a fix.

Today (wednesday) we will release a fix for the Local SEO Check Up tool, and now have a working solution for CitationTracker & Google+ Local Wizard.

At the moment we are still investigating options for the Local Search Rank Checker tool, so we'll provide an update on that as soon as we know more.

Ross, BrightLocal

 

[Myles Anderson]

Hi Kat

Just following up on Ross's email.

This is a link to the old style google places/map list pages that google used to display until yesterday - https://www.google.com/search?q=bike+shop+san+diego&tbs=plcs:1&gl=us&pws=0

Many people in the Local SEO world used these pages to track/monitor local rankings beyond the top 7 results that G displays in main search.

These pages no longer display results which is a real pain

But there are some alternatives that we & others are exploring. Once we have a robust option we'll update our tools. We have our full dev team looking at this now and it is of course our highest priority to resolve.

Thanks.

 

[iFuse]

Hi Kat

Just following up on Ross's email.

This is a link to the old style google places/map list pages that google used to display until yesterday - https://www.google.com/search?q=bike+shop+san+diego&tbs=plcs:1&gl=us&pws=0

Many people in the Local SEO world used these pages to track/monitor local rankings beyond the top 7 results that G displays in main search.

These pages no longer display results which is a real pain

But there are some alternatives that we & others are exploring. Once we have a robust option we'll update our tools. We have our full dev team looking at this now and it is of course our highest priority to resolve.

Thanks.

Thanks Myles, looks like you guys have a fix for this now by showing maps rankings, right? If so, do maps rankings show an accurate picture of Google+ Local rankings?

 

[Myles Anderson]

Yes we do - woohoo! We released a fix late on Wednesday and have now fixed all tools so they're fully functional again now. Thanks for your patience!

 

[iFuse]

Good news!

How close are they to actual google+ local rankings?

 

[Linda Buquet]

The pack and the maps ranking does not always match. Usually it matches pretty much but if someone is penalized or there are other problems, they can rank high in maps, BUT they don't blend, so don't rank in the pack.

So the pack order and maps order are often off on 1 or 2 listings but it's the only thing we have right now I think.