Goodbye Google Places, Hello Google Plus Local Pages. See what has just happened, and what you need to do to take advantage of this bonanza.

1. The End of Google Places As it
Makes Way For Google Plus Local
and What it Means For Your
Business
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2. Well the big news overnight is that Google Places as we know it is winding up and
being replaced with Google + Local results instead. This comes as no surprise to
us here as Google Places has been plagued with a multitude of issues since it was
born out of Google Maps back in 2010. The fact that Google Places had extremely
limited user interaction was also a major thorn in Google's side, as Facebook
Business Pages had market domination for this very reason.
What Has Changed?
There are some notable changes, and these include obviously the new Google +
pages now appearing where the Google Places page used to display in organic
search results. This has yet to roll out to all countries, although expect it to happen
quickly.
In your personal Google + pages there is now an added tab for Google + Local
search.
Zagat reviews. Now gone is the 'five gold star' rating system, and replaced with a
much more in depth review system, that allows for a better user experience.
Reviews are now given out of 30, and there are sub sections of the review process,
that includes such things as food, service and even atmosphere for a restaurant
review. If you log into your personal Google + account and write a new review, you
will now be prompted to import all your previous Google Places reviews into the
new format. Your name is now on the line for all to see, and this is a great addition
as it will lower the number of fake reviews from your competitors.
The addition of Google + Pages have also extended across to Google Maps. If you
have an Android device by default you will also begin to see the inclusion of
Google + Pages in organic search results.
All these changes make for a much stronger user experience, and it may prove to
be the winning move in Google's long struggle losing streak in the social arena.
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3. What About SEO?
Here is where things get interesting for a business owner. The big news is that
Google + Local Pages will now be indexed by Google, as opposed to the Google
Places Pages that were not.
So if you like it or not and you have a Google Places Page, it will be automatically
converted into a Google + Local Page, and by default you are now in the Social
Media Marketing game.
If you are a savvy business owner then see this as massive opportunity, and if you
nurture and grow your Google + Local Page then you are going to be rewarded
with more traffic to your website, and ultimately more customers.
The SEO benefits of this are a great indication of the way Google is thinking right
now, and I really see this as a positive move that will greatly help businesses and
the end user.
What Do You Do Now?
If you already have a Google Places Page then expect it to change to a Google +
Local page in the coming days. You're going to see an entirely new interface, and if
you are not familiar with Google + then it might seem a bit daunting at first. This is
not the time to ignore it, as there will be others in your market whom do take
advantage and reap the rewards.
The way to build out a Google + Business Page is to do so like you would with
anything else Google promote, relevant and valuable. Create content, share
content, grow and engage your audience.
There are sure to be more rollouts of changes as Google tweaks and refines their
systems and processes, so expect things to bounce around for a while.
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4. To learn more about Google + Local Pages then get it here from the horse's
mouth.
http://www.oracledigital.com.au
Oracle Digital
206 Nicholson Road
Subiaco, WA, 6008
Ph: 1300 899 851
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