Have you already investigated the impact of Google's search changes and optimized your property's search results using Google's new Place Search?  If not, it's a good idea to start of 2011 by looking at your SEO strategy and making sure it's up to date.  Google Places is a good place to start.

Place Search is essentially a mash-up of a business’ traditional Web Result and its Google Places (formerly Google Local) listing.  Previously, the Google Places results were separated from the corresponding business’ Website in what Google coined the Seven Pack.

Previous Display

The image below shows how Google Places results were previously displayed for destination specific search queries.

seven pack example

New Display

A result that has been modified by Google’s “Place Search” technology will now contain the following information:

  • A lettered, red place marker
  • A thumbnail of an image from the photo gallery
  • The  physical address of the business
  • A link to the Google Places listing
  • The business’ star rating (based on consumer reviews)
  • Links to popular online travel agencies and travel review Websites  

The image below provides an example of a set of results that have been modified by Google Place Search technology.

google places search example

Recommended Strategy

It’s clear that the Google relevancy algorithm now favors businesses that have a relevant Website as well as an optimized Google Places listing. Now, more than ever, it’s imperative that a hotel have a Website that is optimized for Google’s relevancy algorithm as well as a Google Places page with as much content as possible. Obtaining a page one listing in Google’s organic results will now be much less likely for any business that only possesses a Website.

Please visit the Marketing section of our Website for more information regarding our Search Engine Optimization services or contact us.