Changes to Google Local Search

If you’ve been searching Google much today, you may have noticed a major change to the Google SERPs, apparently pushed live just last night. Local results (universal search) are now being returned for non-localized search terms. Go to Google now and try searching “Chinese food” or “Pizza”. You’ll find that (if you’re logged in) Google will return the Google Local search results despite the fact that you didn’t include your city-name, which previously was the trigger for such localized results.
 


 
What effect will this have for SEO professionals?
This latest SERP change, if it’s indeed here to stay, emphasizes the need for online marketers to have a multi-pronged approach to driving traffic for their clients. With the universal search results taking up so much of the page, making sure to be included in Google Local with accurate, up to date information is more important now than ever.

How do your Google Local accounts look? If you can’t remember, now is the time to review them.