Google is currently testing a new type of ad for local businesses in the West Coast markets of San Francisco and San Diego. Unlike the auction bidding of Adwords, these Local Listing ads are sold at a flat monthly rate. The rate, which is determined by the niche and market area, is based on prevailing […]

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It was probably a relief for many businesses to see their phone numbers back in their 7 Pack local listings in the Google search results. What is Google up to now?
Here are a few possibilities:

Google may be testing click through rates to both Maps listings and websites from the 7 Pack to see how behavior […]

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The Google 7 Pack, which was a 10 Pack until about a month ago, has undergone another change. There are no longer any phone numbers displayed next to the businesses listed there. There’s no telling if this is just a glitch that Google will soon correct, if it is a test to see what the […]

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More are more of the searches that previously displayed the Google 10 Pack of local results above the organic search results are now showing only 7 business listings, instead.
This was at first something that was being tested in just few West Coast markets as a way to make room for local ads above and/or below […]

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