Google has added another important feature to its mobile search results that can have significant implications for local businesses. Google can deliver results on iPhones and Android devices that consider the user's location.
Now, rather than getting results based solely on universal search rank, the very best ranked local pages will start to be suggested by Search. This makes it more important than ever before for small businesses that serve local customers to start out interacting online.
With Google's search suggestion filter available, local web pages and blog articles will be optimized for searches from phones which can be in the area. This cuts down on competition for individual keywords, making it simpler and faster to implement search engine optimisation for local businesses.
Granted, the feature will only affect a small percentage of searches, because restriction to mobile devices using two distinct systems. But if the feature turns out to be beneficial to users and streamlines search (always among Google's priorities), I would not be surprised to view the feature expanded to desktop search too.
Small business marketing plans should take into account this new change with the addition of the city and region with the business to all targeted keywords. It appears Google will use the place information to sort latest results for local searches, so marketers should research the new format, in case it is broadened to more total searches.
Location aware applications will likely continue to rise in importance, so these changes are pertinent for other beneficial marketing users in addition to Google ranking.