The Google 10 Pack!
January 26th, 2008 Posted in SEO
It’s the Google 10 Pack!
We started seeing this last week and it looks like it’s fully launched. It’s the 10 pack of listings in the Google map at the top of a local based search. The new format includes ten listing in addition to telephone information.
Our PPC pros have also noticed this in local pay per click based ads as well. I’m OK with the format as it certainly is more useful to end users. What do you think?
January 26th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
I don’t like it. Its just another way for Google to line its pocket with money to cut to the front of the organic searches. Google punishes sites for paying for links and for blogs writing paid reviews. Yet, it allows people who pay Google money to cut in front of the organic searches. Not really fair.
January 27th, 2008 at 7:39 am
Hey JACL,
I hear your concerns, but Google Local is free to setup for a business. Specifically, what money are businesses paying to Google?
January 27th, 2008 at 8:36 am
Technically, the service is free for now. But if there are 100 businesses competing for the same key words, how does Google determine who gets on the first 10 local business listings? Should they pick businesses who already have an adwords campaign? It is very clear, that Google intends to charge for this service. Their disclaimer says,
“By clicking ‘Upload,’ you’re authorizing Google to create or update these business listings for use in Google Maps or other Google services. You are also affirming that you have the right to create these listings and that you have read and agree to Google’s terms of service. There is currently no charge for creating or displaying listings.” I can see where this is heading.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:37 am
Once the idea gets popular, Google will start charging for this.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:32 am
Hey JACL,
OK, I see where you’re going with this. It’s quite likely that they will start charging for the service in the near future because of their strong push towards local search advertising. That is why they are bidding on the 700 mhz spectrum right now!
January 31st, 2008 at 9:31 pm
I’m interested to try to work out how the sites in the local listings are ranked.
They don’t appear to be ranked the same as the SERPs on the same page.
The other question is this: If there are already ten sites listed in the results, how do I get my client listed, and kick out one of those existing results?
I’m thinking that it’s going to be along the lines of the Adwords quality score. The more times your listing is clicked, the higher it’s going to rank. But how do we get into the top ten in the first place?
January 31st, 2008 at 11:45 pm
Ahhh, thats a really smart question. Believe it or not, there is an algo for this. People are still figuring it out but you can manipulate it by using Googles coupon option and reviews. Get the coupon going, and setup some reviews and that might just get you in their in place of someone who is not doing these things!
January 31st, 2008 at 11:51 pm
Chris, I’m not sure what you mean about the coupons.
Care to elaborate?
Cheers
Stu
February 1st, 2008 at 7:14 am
OK. When you setup a Google Local account for your location you can update it at anytime. Two of the main features of the local account are the ability to create coupons and reviews.
If you produce one or more coupons and obtain some reviews you have a much higher probability of getting on to the map vs. those that have not!
I am sure there are other factors involved but these are the two main ones I am aware of at this time.
February 2nd, 2008 at 1:55 am
Thanks Chris…
I’ve never used seach local, but I think it might be something worth looking into as a value add for my clients.
Good one mate! :-)
Stu
February 29th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Ideal cannot be achieved but intention to achieve it is great :)