Click Magnets! New Google Places Previews – Stand Out from the Competition
Saturday I blogged about some major local search layout changes Google was testing and the update started on Tuesday. The changes are still rolling out in some areas and some browsers may still see the old layout. Here’s the image I posted Saturday in case you aren’t seeing the changes yet. NEW LAYOUT.
In a nutshell, the map markers turned from red to gray. But when you mouse over them, the gray pins light up red. Also the location data and pins moved from below the listing to the right side.
But the big change I want to highlight in this post is the rich new preview data Google shows about a business. When you mouse to the right side of each listing there is an arrow. Google used to show a large web site preview. NOW she shows a smaller site preview, a dedicated map of that Places location and up to 4 images from the Place page, plus other Place page data.
So it’s more important than ever to claim and optimize your Place page. REALLY IMPORTANT – Be sure to put your best foot forward with GREAT images that showcase the benefits of your product or service. The 1st 5 images on your Place page show up in your preview. LET’s TAKE A LOOK!
If you are not seeing the update yet, let me explain. As you mouse to the right of each listing a double arrow and the preview screen shows up. So you can scan through all the previews and get a glimpse of what each business has to offer. When you get the update, play with this. It’s VERY COOL and a quick easy way to see which listings are optimized and which need help. 
The top preview above shows a listing for a Dentist who has not claimed his Place page. So the preview is pretty bare, showing only his site. Below that is a preview from one of my clients that I added to show the contrast between an unclaimed listing and a well optimized one.
If you were a Mom, looking for a new Dentist, which Dentist would you be more likely to click or call? The bare listing or the one with the beautiful smiling faces and the cute family???
Nice move Google! Not sure I like the new pin color/layout, but LOVE the new previews!
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#1 Eric "eRock" Christopher wrote on November 3, 2011 :
Linda, Wow! For those of us that are local seo consultant’s this change is fantastic! I was one of the lucky few who saw the new layout before the rollout and did a quick video about it, showing what you are talking about in your post. Actually depicts what Google looks like in the WILD! I like the new layout actually, even the left side, as long as they keep the pins lighting up red. This means every serious business owner is going to have to address their Places page!
#2 Chris wrote on November 3, 2011 :
Hi Linda,
I always enjoy your insight to local search! Are you going to PubCon next week?
#3 Linda Buquet wrote on November 3, 2011 :
Thanks Chris. No I’m buried and tied to my computer. If you’re going, have fun for me!
#4 Linda Buquet wrote on November 3, 2011 :
Yep agree Eric. Oh and in case you missed it I linked to your post when I blogged about the initial sightings on Saturday. (Post that’s linked at the top of this one.)
#5 Dino Maiolo wrote on November 5, 2011 :
Thanks for the explanation, Linda. Certainly a better update than the last algo change (I’m still bitter about the emphasis on location). Google has indeed improved the user experience with this one. Happy to see it.
Dino
#6 Linda Buquet wrote on November 5, 2011 :
Yep I agree Dino.
I’m still trying to find a way to boost a strong enough signal to break through the proximity barrier. Have new software I’m testing right now that I think may help me find the answer. Will keep you posted.
#7 Drupal Development wrote on November 7, 2011 :
I totally loved it.Thanks for sharing this Linda.I’ll surely try this out.
#8 Frank@blackberry developers wrote on November 7, 2011 :
With this new update new opportunities for optimizing your locaton are open. Thanx for explanation
#9 Kathy Long wrote on November 8, 2011 :
I’m curious why Google isn’t pulling in Yelp reviews. Any idea?
#10 Linda Buquet wrote on November 8, 2011 :
Hey Kathy, you know about all the history and problems between G and Yelp right? IMO G just said OK you whiny * FINE – we won’t use your reviews or even show them PERIOD! They still count TripAdvisor and everyone else, Yelp’s are the only ones that are excluded. (Again just my assumption.)