Google Implements Local Search Results
Local businesses and reviews are now getting prominent billing in Google’s search results, supplanting even the highest organic search engine results. From the Official Google Blog: Find and compare local businesses
From now on, you’ll see this every time you search for a place, business, or other local information. In addition to providing the basic contact information and map locations for several choices at the top of the page, we also show ratings and provide one-click access to reviews on the search results page so that you can make more informed decisions about where you want to go.
Here’s a couple clips of searches from my city.
A search for “real estate agent portland oregon”
More? Here’s a search for “realtor portland oregon – Google Search”
Who do you think will be getting the first phone call, if I was a consumer trying to find an agent?
This is even more reason for Realtors and brokers to ensure that their companies are listed in Google Local Business Center (for more, see Google’s Gunning for Real Estate Professionals).
So far, I haven’t seen any ratings on real estate listings. But they may be coming, so keep your eyes peeled.
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7 Comment(s)
4 Trackback(s)
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Ben K | Jan 31, 2007 | Reply
There are listings with reviews (star ratings) that are coming from Yelp and Judy’s Book. Do a search on “real estate seattle, wa”, you’ll see a few.
john harper | Feb 2, 2007 | Reply
I notice the Portland results and the results I pulled for Danville and San Ramon CA all had Coldwell Banker and Century 21. Does this mean Google is in bed with big brokerages? If so, is this anyway to run local search? It might be time for a more democratic search engine.
Andy Piper | Feb 3, 2007 | Reply
I also noticed c21 and cb for Ann Arbor Michigan! Is going to be like Yahoo and Prudential?? where all real estate searches on Yahoo drive you over to the Pru franchise? It would be unfortunate if Google went this way.
Laura Kaan | Feb 11, 2007 | Reply
This is great if you end up on Google’s business list and are displayed in the top. It’s bad if you put in years of hard work on SEO and end up getting bumped lower. I think it will be interesting to see how this plays out over the next few years.
Clearwater Beach Real Estate | Dec 29, 2007 | Reply
Joel – are the ratings coming from Yelp or something else – I hadn’t realized that – enjoyed the insights – always trying to stay ahead of the curve. Thanks – Cyndee Haydon
Hawaii Life | Mar 6, 2009 | Reply
I see Google’s real estate search coming up when you do a search for Honolulu real estate. Ahhhh!
Overland Park Real Estate | Mar 19, 2009 | Reply
I use local results form Google more and more. Being on Local Business Center is great for added exposure.