Google Testing Paid Local Shopping Ads with a Map Pack?

[Linda Buquet]

Moz just posted a #MozCast Feature Alert.

Maybe Google is just testing???

<img src="http://marketing-blog.catalystemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/gasgrills.jpg" alt="gasgrills" width="80%" />​

Here is the Moz post with commentary on Google+

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<div class="g-post" data-href="https://plus.google.com/112544075040456048636/posts/2DQL75XVFQF"></div>​

Click the discussion bubble at bottom to expand comments.

What do you think???

 

[Greg Gifford]

Wouldn't surprise me at all. They've been testing the "dealers near you" paid ads on searches for specific makes and models of cars for a while now... it's a logical progression to start rolling that out to other verticals.

 

[Linda Buquet]

That's true Greg.

Dave Rodecker just commented on the Moz post...

"Our sources at Google said its one of the features they are testing for adwords xpress."

Which makes sense. And if it's just for product searches - sources of products nearby, it may be a good thing. I know as a consumer I'd like it.

But who knows if it will really go live...

 

[Margaret Ornsby]

I always though Adwords Express was simply a more expensive, less sophisticated version of Adwords. But if this test goes live, seems as if it could have an impact on Google Local.

My spidey-sense is tingling - moving closer to the pay to play model and perhaps faster than I thought. I wonder...