It appears that Google has some format changes in the works for their local pack search results. While it is still in testing, we have all the information you need to know to understand this possible upcoming change and what it can mean for your business as a part of local pack search results.
Before we dive into the make-up of this possible change, we will break down the terms you need to know to understand just what all is happening!
What Is the Local Pack?
If you read consistently about digital marketing and local search, this may be a term you are already familiar with, and it is relatively straight-forward.
When you put in a Google search looking for a general business in your area, the results will be a list of local businesses that fit your initial search.
The listed local businesses are known as the local pack, the group of businesses related to your needs near you that show up in search results.
With the Google update in testing, the local pack might see some impact from searchers on Google.
Are you looking for more information on local search? Click here for a breakdown of what all local search entails.
What Is a Carousel?
No, we’re not talking about mechanical horses and bubbly music.
Still, a carousel search result may be simpler than you think. As we traditionally know Google search results, they are laid out to display in a vertical manner where there are search results listed below one another.
Carousel results do not follow this format. Instead, they are displayed horizontally and require horizontal scrolling on the part of the searcher to see more results, moving kind of like a carousel!
Now that we have these major questions answered, let’s break down exactly what these Google changes look like and what they mean for your business.
Google Search Listing Update
As for the update itself, give this photo a peek:
As you can see, unlike the typical Google local pack search result layout which tends to show around four results before a user is required to scroll for more options, this carousel layout displays one-and-a-half results before a user must scroll for additional results.
It is important to reiterate, however, that the changes we are talking about are still in testing, meaning they are not visible to users currently but are something to keep an eye out for in the future.
The local search carousel update is likely being considered following the success of the roll-out of Google’s carousel feature for the Shopping section of the search engine.
This change is significant but also limited by its implementation on mobile rather than desktop. Nonetheless, it is crucial to keep in mind how influential mobile search is in the outcome of store visits and buying decisions.
As of this year, 88 percent of searches for a local business through a mobile device has led to either a call or a visit to the business within 24 hours.
With the change in the mobile layout of local pack results, we will have to wait and see how this impacts the power that mobile has on store visits and sales.
To prepare for these changes in Google advertising, RevLocal has the experts and strategy for your business to succeed. Click here to learn more.