The Google Local Carousel beta test that we saw last month
is now rolling out to all U.S. users, Google announced. While the carousel has
been used on tablet devices since December 2012, the carousel style results
being accessible on a desktop is a much newer change.
With the new style of carousel listings, when a user
searches for a local results, such as a restaurant or hotel, instead of the
traditional vertical listings most users connect with Google search, there is
now a horizontal carousel which features thumbnails, ratings, as well as the
number of Google+ reviews. Users can then scroll sideways through the listings
to see more results.
One of the positive things to this new carousel style for
local results is that businesses who might not rank in the top two or three
required to see the results above the fold, can now see their business featured
very importantly, complete with an image. However, there is no guarantee that
your business will be one of the ones chosen to show in the carousel. Google
search ranking algorithms also apply to the listings in Google Maps in
determining which businesses are featured in the carousel.
This will also mean it is that much more significant for a
local business to make certain that the thumbnail used for their local business
listing is one that not only represents their business, but is eye-catching
enough to draw searchers to their listing. Interestingly, Google’s algorithms
will also make a decision which photo is used, although exactly what algorithms
are used as unknown at this time, but they do suggest using high quality images
on your Google business listing.
Google's local carousel is only obtainable in limited
verticals at this time, with hotels, restaurants, and bars being amongst the
verticals included. They do say that they are looking to enlarge this by
experimenting with different designs and interfaces.
This is currently being rolled out in the U.S. only at this
time and is only available in English.
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