I hadn’t considered that, but hey, it could happen. One of the issues I’m having with this is that I can already use the local results in organic, as well as the A-J rankings in the top level interface of Maps to see a variety of listings for a given query. Why do these also need to be on the Place Page? What is the added value?

Now, if none of that activity included direct links to websites, the usefulness of Maps would be degraded, in my opinion, but that certainly doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen. It would be a big change, though.

Thanks for stopping by.
Miriam

I can see Google taking away the ability to link local business listings (in the 7-pack of local business results) directly to an entity’s website, therefore forcing all traffic to a business’ place page first. Thoughts?

How are you doing under all that snow, Dave? I’ve been thinking about you in a white world.
Miriam

You Said:

“I can’t believe I just referenced Yahoo’s local system to being better than Google’s”

Haha. That does sound funny, but I have always found Yahoo to be more accessible in this regard than Google. From early on, they have been better communicators and Google would do well to take a page from their book.

Part of me agrees with the idea of monetizing, the other part of me says: Google took all of this business info without the permission of business owners; no one should have to pay for them to get it right. That’s their responsibility, having taking this on when no one asked/permitted them to.

I stand with you on Canada getting equal treatment. Canada is sitting there like some huge untapped market. It doesn’t make sense to ignore our friends to the north!

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment here, Matthew.

Miriam

Like you, I think Google does so many things right! It’s painful when they don’t. Google’s whole local business model hangs on the existence of local businesses, and like you say, it just doesn’t make sense to ignore the needs of these vital folks. But we’ve consistently seen Google put SMBs last, and wish that would change.

Thanks for coming by, David!
Miriam

You said:
“At the end of the day, I’m not sure if an SMB has much choice but to stick along for the ride with Google”

I totally agree. No one can really afford to ignore or ‘defy’ Google. Doing so would be foolhardy. At the same time, I wish Google’s gigantic market share could be tempered with both more competition from others and more accountability on Google’s part. Google does many things right, but relating to the world of the small business owner isn’t one of them. I’d love to see that change!

It was a pleasure to find your comment here, Dev.
Miriam

Terrific article Miriam. You have captured much if not all of the issues and problems with this latest approach by Google. More than that you have captured their hypocracy and mixed messages to businesses.

Wonderful job.

Dave

Great post!

I am NOT a fan of the new ads popping up on SMB’s Places Pages.

What David Mihm said about Yelp realizing that the SMB’s are a large part of their success is true and applies to all platforms including Google Maps.

I wish Google Maps would actually do something to monetize the Maps the way Yahoo Local does. You have free, enhanced and featured. Enhanced & featured gives you a chance to show up on their “3-Pack” if optimized right and then they offer a version of what kinda looks like PPC Ads in the Local section above the map listings at a “flat rate” monthly pricing. Pricing is determined by category of business and city – can range from $20/month to $300/month. Google could do this type of thing too.

This type of monetization makes sense and still fits into what Google is trying to do. Also, if they monetize they can maybe create a support center with phone numbers, ticket system, etc.

I find SMB’s would be happy to pay, just so they could get support and answers etc.

I can’t believe I just referenced Yahoo’s local system to being better than Google’s . Too bad most of the search volume is all on Google and we are forced to work with what we got!

Oh, while we are all ranting – wish Canada could get more features like US does, we are always forgotten on all 3 search engines. The good news is local maps is available on Google for CND’s and Yahoo & Bing is not – that’s a whole other story though.