Our prediction: No more free listing on Google Maps

In the last two years we’ve seen the search landscape change massively. What do we mean by ‘search landscape’? We mean how well business websites appear on a Google search for particular search phrases.

We’ve all seen when searching how Google prioritises more and more the paid ads – the ever-expanding section at the top, plus more Shopping ads whenever possible.

What’s appeared below these for some time has been Google’s map showing local results – in the past with up to 7 listings showing. Below that we then get the natural search results – unpaid listings from on Google’s indexing of the sites’ pages driven by its algorithm.

Over the last six months, it’s become apparent that Google has moved its attention to the map section as their next revenue opportunity.

Falling under the “Google My Business” banner, the appearance of the section is now down to 3 options; the management service used to maintain your business is much improved; you can even get proper help from a Google employee (via Chat).

To us that says – we’ve spent money, we’ve made it better – and now it’s going to cost you to appear here.

We give it six months before your inbox starts getting full of Google emails telling you what a great opportunity this is – if you pay to appear, that is.

With that in mind, making sure your business is properly set up on Google My Business, as it is now called, so that it shows on the Maps and Places listing, is vital.

There are several stages that each page has to go through in order to get the business verified on Google My Business and the Aubergine team can manage that process for you for a fixed, low rate fee.

For more information, please feel free to give us a call and we’ll talk over the best options for you and your business listing on Google.