Is Google transitioning the Local 3-pack to pay advertising?

randybishop

randybishop

Elite Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2013
Messages
2,391
Reaction score
1,218


Take a look at the two screen shots below.
The left is the new "3 pack", the right is a test of new google "home services" ads that will replace adwords for local seo.

new_3_pack.jpg


See any similarities?

I believe that google cut down the 7-pack to a 3-pack so that 3-pack can be transitioned easily into a pay "home services"
format they are beta testing. A live example of the "home services" beta test can be seen here: https://www.google.com/search?q=plumbers+in+san+francisco

What do you think?
 
Last edited:
Advertise on BHW
If that is where they are going with it, I have to admit it looks better... but then can't say for its impact on the costs of using AdWords. Personally hated the 7-pack to 3-pack change.
 
I can't imagine how high the cpc is going to get for those listings in competitive niches. Hopefully their testing doesn't go well because this change screwed me. Haha.
 
I don't think it's going to be a CPC model, I think it's going to pay per lead (CPL)


But to answer the question yes I think it will eventually transition into paid maps. They are neutering maps now, so nobody will complain when it goes 100% paid in a few months.
 
Andrew Scherer said:
I don't think it's going to be a CPC model, I think it's going to pay per lead (CPL)


But to answer the question yes I think it will eventually transition into paid maps. They are neutering maps now, so nobody will complain when it goes 100% paid in a few months.
Click to expand...
I can see them coming out with a new certification for this as well.... Just like how they did for shopping....
 
I love the idea, it's easily manipulated by money and greed, which means anyone with a vast amount of adwords budget can get a Google Gold Star or whatever next to their shitty 2 star place on maps. This I can sell, pitch to people, make money off of as its heavily used and easy to build a product around.
 
Can't see it myself. Google are already in the shitbin in Europe over anti competitive measures and the various panda's and penguins of the last few years have all but removed the small businesses from the first page in favour of the big brands.

The local pack as it stands is pretty much the only exposure a SMB can hope to get on page 1 short of PPC. I personally think words will be had with them in Europe over the transition from the 7 pack to the 3.

Google is in a dominant position with what >75% of the search market. That will be its undoing it cannot do what it pleases without attracting the attention of the regulators.

Now if Bing or Yahoo wanted to tinker with their results they would probably get away with it.
 
Google has to find the sweet spot between paid content (ads) and relevant content (organic). The more they fill a page, or prioritize, paid content over relevant content, the less relevant Google's search becomes to the user.

It is similar to the argument that G is making regarding website content, but we are talking their own SERPs.

A move like this is leaning in the less relevant direction, but that is only MHO.
 
geezer466 said:
Can't see it myself. Google are already in the shitbin in Europe over anti competitive measures and the various panda's and penguins of the last few years have all but removed the small businesses from the first page in favour of the big brands.

The local pack as it stands is pretty much the only exposure a SMB can hope to get on page 1 short of PPC. I personally think words will be had with them in Europe over the transition from the 7 pack to the 3.

Google is in a dominant position with what >75% of the search market. That will be its undoing it cannot do what it pleases without attracting the attention of the regulators.

Now if Bing or Yahoo wanted to tinker with their results they would probably get away with it.
Click to expand...

Big business pays their bills, but I do hope Google does get kicked in the ass hard in Europe. Even so, I can see the $$$ rolling in if you manipulate their stupidity and greed (like learning how the new system works while offering ad management services to small or big businesses). It is the same game we all play, we want to die rich with lots of friends and family at our side.
 
An interesting move by Google into my space - local leads :)

It's going to be either zero or a hero - won't be middle ground. I can see it taking off, but equally I can see users resisting the change.
And, as another member wrote above, there are significant concerns RE anti-trust here, and that will probably be a significant challenge.
 
What I just discovered is that these "home service ads" are for locksmiths, plumbers,handymen, and cleaning services. If I understand this correctly.... every other niche should be OK for a a little bit long after this actually goes live. You can read more here:
https://support.google.com/ads/answer/6233859?hl=en&vid=1-635750656292835178-12450474611300361525

This seems will defitnetly be CPL. Under "how home service ads work" here: https://support.google.com/ads/answ...vid=1-635750656292835178-12450474611300361525

It states that you can't pay to rank higher and that you contact the individual directly from that ad.

I am sure they will set it up like Google Partners to a certain extent, for example.... when someone contacts our company through Google Partners we receive an email saying.. "You have a new lead." . I also gives the customer contact info and what they are trying to accomplish.

Hopefully I made sense, I am trying to do like 20 things at once here lol, while posting on BHW.
 
Advertise on BHW
You must log in or register to reply here.
Sign up now!

Main Menu

Home Main Forum List Black Hat SEO White Hat SEO BHW Newbie Guide Blogging Black Hat Tools Social Media Downloads

Marketplace

Account Selling Content / Copywriting EBooks / Methods Hosting Misc Proxies For Sale SEO - Link building SEO - Packages Social Media Social Media - Panels Web Design More

Making Money

Affiliate Programs Hire a Freelancer IM Journeys Making Money Pay Per Click Site Flipping Want to Buy

BlackHat World

Dispute Resolution Forum Suggestions & Feedback Introductions Lounge
Back
Top