Now You Can Enhance Your Google Local 7 Pack Listing
Slowly Google has started generating more and more ideas to generate revenue via paid ads on their SERPs. Back in time, when I entered into Internet Marketing world, Google SERPs seems to be very crystal clear, organic listing on left side and paid ads on right side (clearly mentioned). Slowly then they covered a top portion for more paid ads.
Google's very intelligent step for making the universal SERPs has given their visitors new freedom to get information in a better way. It was highly appreciated by internet savvy folks!
But now Google has started using these universal SERPs space for generating extra revenue for their business. Google has introduced a new local business paid ad (enhanced listings) that allows a business listing to stand out with an "enhanced" presence on the map or in the map-related listings on the SERP.
The paid listings appear within what's known as the 7-pack of local listings in Google Universal Search. Google is currently running a limited trial of this feature in San Jose and Houston only, so you won't be able to see this enhanced listing in normal search if you are not from San Jose and Houston. I cannot see that on my normal search for "skateboards in houston", but I have a way out to check these enhanced listing. If you are using Mozilla Firefox! Just download Search Google Global Addon, restart your browser, search "skateboards in houston" in normal search mode, right click on the SERPs page, go to Search Google Global and select USA. That's it! Now you can see enhanced listing?
Else just see below image to have an idea of enhanced listing:
You can see the listing A for Kingpinz.com, this is example of enhanced listing. The Google has marked is as "sponsored". Now this is something different from Google’s past practices of differentiating the unpaid and paid results. But as only a "type" is enhanced for the listing, I think their little disclaimer besides "enhanced type" justifies paid listing. Isn't it?
For this enhanced listing for business, Google charges $25 flat monthly fee, with no bids and no keywords required. You can enhance only 1 type at a time in your listing from the following:
- Website for your business.
- Photos of your business.
- Videos of your business.
- Coupons for your listing.
- Menu for your restaurant.
- Reservations page for your business.
- Driving directions to your business.
I'm not a big fan of Google's new ad formats, because if Google feels that enhancing feature can harness their visitor's experience then they should give it for free instead for charging nominal fees of $25.
Google is still testing this in 2 cities, so lets just hope they get it best way, when applied globally.
