Google has really gone above and beyond while promoting all things local. Whether it be purchasing billboards that promote Google 411, allowing Google Maps SERPs to be indexed, or like now, promoting Google Maps via AdWords, Google has been working hard to promote their local pages.
As some people may not know, Google once allowed Google Maps SERPs to be indexed and they sometimes actually ranked in natural SERPs when a local search was conducted. This was reported by Mike Blumenthal back in October 2006.
Since Matt Cutts publicly stated that Google does not like Search Results in their own results, it would appear they decided to switch to promoting Google Maps via AdWords instead. While writing our recent article on geo modifiers, I noticed an ad that was seemingly Google self promotion, taking the user to a promotional page.
After clicking the ad, I was taken to a slightly modified version of the Google Maps home page with promotional videos to the right and search box pre-filled with my previous query, just waiting for a geo modifier and me to hit the search button.
The left of the page displays three videos.These are intended to be instructional and testimonial videos displaying to users how they can take advantage of Google Maps, therefore making their lives easier.
Find The Best Route
Get Store Info
Pick A Business
The page seems great for new users as it may help them realize how easy it is to find local businesses but, of course, there is always room for improvements on landing pages. Below are a couple suggestions for you Googlers out there (I am talking to you Jen 
).
- When users have already entered a geo modifier on the previous screen, please append that to the search bar at the top. This makes it easier for the user to simply press “Search Maps” and get a relevant result.
- Please don’t autoplay videos. ESPN does it to me all the time and I do not like when you do it either.
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Tags: google, Local Search
This is definitely a plus for those of us optimizing on a local level. This will give local business listings more exposure and more opportunity. I also think Google Maps results showing up in the organic listings enhances the quality of the results in that Google is actually serving local business information based off of the search and location queried.