Goodbye 7 Packs! Only 3 Packs with No Phone # or Address for All Local Results

[Linda Buquet]

Seeing widespread results that the snack pack style local display, with only 3 listings and not showing address or phone, is rolling out to all local listings.

It's rolling out widely enough that it appears this could be the new normal and no longer just a test. I told Mike on his blog this AM that I was still seeing the 7 pack everywhere.

Just checked and CRAP - the new 3 pack is here across the board!!!

I need to leave right now, so just throwing out links to other discussions including Mike's from this AM.

7 Pack Becoming 3 Pack with Mobile Like Snak Pack Rollout?

Brian Barwig at our Pro Community just now.

Ryan Schilling at our Pro Community yesterday.

You guys share what you are seeing and thinking.
I'll weigh in when I get back tonight.

[Scott Rawlins]

This is not good for anyone, not even the user IMO.

I too was seeing 7 packs this morning, but now it's the Snack Pack across the board for me.

[CaseyMeraz]

Here is a quick write up I did as well also discussing some potential implications.

Title: New Local Results! Be in the Top 3 or Disappear?
https://jurisdigital.com/new-local-r...-or-disappear/

What are your thoughts on potential user behavior if they click through to your listing?

[Scott Rawlins]

Nice write up Casey. Didn't even noticed the omission of a phone number without click on the listing itself. I will be curious to know what percentage of users will click for more results rather than take only 3 options. As a consumer, I know I would want to see more.

[Linda Buquet]

Thanks Casey! Can't wait to read when I get back.

On the 2 packs I checked this AM that were still 7 packs...

Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney and Seattle Chiropractor...

Both packs seem to have the exact 3 on top in the same ranking order. So it appears based on that tiny sample that the algo did not change, just the display???

Is that what you guys are seeing too???

Mike totally called it this AM. Wish I would have grabbed 7 pack screenshots of the queries he showed so we could double check the ranking order.

Late, need to run...

TONS of comments coming in from the Pros on Brian's post at the Pro forum, linked above!

[KSanders]

This is going to hurt a lot of local players. I also expect in many verticals--particularly home services--these will roll into ad units.

As thumbtack continues to crawl further up droves of local terms, visibility in local SERPs will be largely pay to play. Take another look at this lovely SERP, coming soon to a vertical near you.

Not happy with this rollout, at all.

[CodyBaird]

Wow that is a great example of directories taking over a search result. Ugly. Who wants to see 4 links to yelp?

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[Broland]

I don't really have the time now or anytime soon, but has anyone checked to see if these 3 pack results match up with the old blended? Or better yet do they match up with Google maps results? They seem to be much like the new maps and could be pulling in those results.

The 'more results' is using &tbm=lcl in the URL's which is very similar to the new Google maps search.

If someone has time and wants to check these:
hxxps://www.google.com/search?q=PUT+SEARCH+TERMS+HERE&tbm=lcl

What I'm saying is, there has always been a discrepancy in rankings between the Google Maps results and the blended local packs. This update may be Google fixing that discrepancy.

With Google places gone and the beginning a separation from G+, it looks like Google is definitely investing towards Maps and mobile, at least for now - Probably a smart move.

[Chris Ratchford]

Just a thought here... but my first impression was that the 3 pack forces the user to click through to more local results.

Couldn't you argue that this may be a positive? Now instead of fighting to get in the 7 pack, you need to be above the fold for the local results.

If a client is upset that they aren't in the top 3, I could argue that most searchers aren't going to only look at the 3 local results, but will click through.

[KSanders]

Just a thought here... but my first impression was that the 3 pack forces the user to click through to more local results.

The 3 pack constrains the view and makes it easier to roll them into ad units