Head's Up! New Google Maps Update Coming - May Affect Local SEO

[Linda Buquet]

Since Google I/O is coming up next week, so are more changes - including a new update to Google maps that could rock our world!

Below is breaking news about a new Google Maps update that's coming. See Screenshots.
No left search results! No more A, B, C Rankings???

<a href="http://googlesystem.blogspot.com/2013/05/new-google-maps-interface.html">New Google Maps Interface</a>

Google is about to launch a new interface for Google Maps. The update will remove the sidebar and will display everything on top of the full-screen map. One of the new features lets you restrict local search results to places recommended by top reviews or your Google+ circles.

In this screenshot:

Image & Story Credit Alex Chitu​

It shows option to see Places from "Top Reviewers" from "Your Circles" (There's that G+ coming into play again!) Or you can click to see a "List of Top Results". Wonder what that list looks like???

I commented in our thread here about the fact that Places Search was just removed:

Soooo with Places search and "more results near" link gone, that left folks to search on Google Maps.

BUT now Map search results on the left that shows who ranks A, B, C etc will be gone too???

So there will be no local rankings??? Just a bunch of listings showing up on a map??? Like in the screen shot below. Then you have to make an extra click to see a list?

Hat tip: Daniel C Berman shared the link to the top story in the thread about Places Search and "More Results Near" link being removed from Google search. But I thought this was important news that warranted it's own thread, so I started a new one here.

Here is a post from Search Engine Land about it too: Google Maps To Get A Major Design Overhaul

Really I wonder what local search and local SEO is going to look like in 6 months?
My sense is that things are about to change radically over the next couple months.

 

[MattCheah]

So Linda, When this puts me out of a job, can I come work for you?

 

[Linda Buquet]

Well, if you guys are out of a job so am I!

But don't worry! Local will still be around and folks will still need help with ranking, it just may look different and the algo may be different. Then we get to figure it all out again. And folks hire us because we are on the bleeding edge and understand how it all works. Until... the next big change. Then we adapt to that one too and just keep truckin'!

Love the title by the way!

 

[Colan Nielsen]

But don't worry! Local will still be around and folks will still need help with ranking, it just may look different and the algo may be different. Then we get to figure it all out again. And folks hire us because we are on the bleeding edge and understand how it all works. Until... the next big change. Then we adapt to that one too and just keep truckin'!

Well said Linda. Inspiring

That's exactly it. That's why this is such a great corner of the online marketing world.

Thanks for posting this exciting update.

 

[Colan Nielsen]

Thanks for the heads up Daniel.

 

[Daniel C Berman]

Your welcome Colan! I feel like I have been bumbling around here lately, but I want to learn and I enjoy catching things that represent turning points in the SEO field even if I don't quite catch the significance of why or how yet.

 

[Phil Rozek]

Thanks a bunch, Daniel. Great catch!

Two words sum up my first impressions of the new Maps layout:

Apple Maps

 

[DarrenW]

Looks like reviews, especially from top reviewers are going to be even more important, I better start trying to become one!

 

[kellylarson]

I am really interested to see how reviews will play into this change. Collecting reviews and getting them to stick has been frustrating at times in recent months. Do we think this process will improve as well...or intentionally stay a challenge to level the playing field? Love to hear your thoughts.

 

[Phil Rozek]

@Kelly

Great questions. My two cents:

The reviews aspect isn't going to change much, if at all. Google's filter eased up around the very beginning of the year, so it's back to being more or less doable to get Google reviews. But I don't see it ever being as easy as it was 2-3 years ago.

How reviews will play into the "Maps" facelift is anybody's guess, of course.

 

[Daniel C Berman]

I think Google may have given us a hint about this back in 2011. Has anybody played around with Google Hotel Finder? - https://www.google.com/hotels/

Here's the SEW Launch Article Google Launches Hotel Finder, Steps Up Travel Search Game - Search Engine Watch (#SEW)

I ran a forum search for it and I didn't find any discussion about it so here goes. Here's a search for Dallas, TX, USA



Run a search for any major city and then compare the map display against the possible new Google Maps update. You'll see pictures, reviews, star ratings, and prices all lined up against a geographic map of the region with a very similar motif. I am wondering if they ran Hotel Finder as a test case and now they are simply expanding the functionality beyond hotels and into everything else.

 

[Linda Buquet]

Ahhh, nice catch Daniel!

 

[Linda Buquet]

Google I/O is this week. I wonder if this maps update and the new Google Local Listings Carousel update will both roll out in time for the conference?

I predict this is the session to watch: Google Maps: Into the Future — Google I/O 2013

 

[Linda Buquet]

Heads up. Another major update spotted and I think all of this is tied together.
Keep eye on these 2 threads!

http://localsearchforum.catalystema...or-google-local-update-rolling-out-maybe.html

http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/google-local/6958-google-i-o-2013-live-feed-here.html

I think all will be announced at the "Future of Maps" section coming up 12:45 PST.
Watch the feed live at that 2nd link! EXCITING DAY!

 

[Linda Buquet]

I attempted to summarize all the different Google updates and post the most important links in this post:
Massive Google Local Updates, Review Stars are Back & Tons More

 

[Linda Buquet]

I'm still waiting for my Google Maps invite Google said they would give TCs early.

But Ryan just posted an awesome video walkthrough showing some of the changes that will affect us here in the world of local search.

http://localsearchforum.catalystema...s/7064-video-walkthrough-new-google-maps.html