Google made some major changes to the algorithm behind its Google business directory Google Places in late 2010. These changes impacted many local merchants who had listings on Google places. Before the changes, the business directory operated in such a way that up to 7 local companies where shown at the top of search queries where local listings could be matched up with user search queries.

Even business owners without websites could have their listings show up in these results. The changes were designed to make Place Search faster and easier for users. Now Google is using website content to determine business location and matches search queries based on this information rather than just the directory listing data. Another major change was that Google began displaying directory listings on the right side of the screen, which is a common location for paid ads on other search engines.

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 4th, 2011 at 11:02 pm and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.