While searching from my Android phone using Google Chrome on June 27, 2016, I noticed something new.. Ads displaying about the map and local results in Google mobile search. I googled around and there has been chatter about this for 4 or 5 days now, so this is definitely a brand new feature in Google search.

This feature is very likely to come to desktop soon. For the last couple of years Google has taken a “mobile first” approach to google search, so whatever happens on mobile is likely to occur on desktop shortly thereafter.

I do not like this update

I do not like this change for a variety of reasons (please note, the change may be a temporary test).

  • Businesses who have worked hard or are the best usually rank well organically which highly correlates with good rankings in local search results (map results).
  • Businesses which are highly reviewed are now pushed down even lower under paid positions.
  • I also feel a bit like google is selling out; instead of using their algorithms to rank businesses, will Google alter search results to simply go to the highest bidder?
  • The ads do not look like ads.. Maybe this is just a test, but the current results look organic, which is very deceptive. Anyone who has studied user behavior knows that a significant amount of people like to avoid ads. Will Google try to trick their users?

How many ads can display above the local pack?

I have seen 1, 2, 3, and 4 ads displaying above the local pack and maps results. Unfortunately, Google has yet to inform us of how many ads will display above the map.

Here is a screenshot of a mobile search for Chicago Chiropractors which is the only result I could quickly locate displaying FOUR ads above the local results:

screenshot local ads mobile 06 2016

Does this apply to all businesses?

I noticed the ad while doing a search for chiropractors. I rarely search for this topic; it was a total fluke. I have yet to see if this will display for other businesses such as massage therapists, attorneys, plastic surgeons, real estate brokers or mortgage brokers.

Len
Latest posts by Len (see all)
On June 28, 2016   /   SEO: Local Search   /   Leave a comment

Leave a Reply