Google Changes Weekly - Google Places Last Week. Google Search Page Face Lift This Week

May 6, 2010 - PRLog -- Google changes the name of Google Local Business Center (LBC) to Google Places and adds tutorials, expanded advertising opportunities, new flexibility, and a better help forum.  Last weeks major headline.

Google does major face lift on search with new column on the left to aid in navigation.  Today's major headline.

Google buys Apple, Facebook, and Twitter.  Next weeks headline.  

Of course with Apples cash trove, it might be the other way around.  Let's drop a bit behind the actual headlines and see what is important.

If you own a small business or have anything to do with the marketing of a small business, the Google Places Headline is very, very important.  You must get your business on the "7-Pack" or what I and some others call the "Outside MAP."  This is the Map that shows up on the left side of the page near the top of any search for a small business that includes a city name or zip (eg. realtor Long Beach).  Having an organic listing on the first page of search is important, and will continue to be job one.  But for everyone job two will be about presence on Google Places 7-Pack.  

To learn how to do that yourself, go to a blog that was created immediately after the announcement about Google Places, http://www.GooglePlacesHelp.blogspot.com.  This blog claims to reveal everything there is to know about optimizing your position on the MAP.

What about the other headline.  This huge change on search of adding a left hand column was not such a huge change.  The column has been available for a long time, just hidden unless you asked for it.  Now it is visible whether you want it or not.  For serous internet searchers, the most important tool on the navigation bar is the time tool.  Not being able to get the latest version of something, or having to scroll 10-20 pages to find new information is a pain.  You may want to commonly push that button on any search to determine if new information will change your results and guide you to better solutions.

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If you need help with your listing on Google Places (earlier known as Google Local Business Center, Page1Listings can be the source of that help. If you'd like to try to do a great listing on your own, go to http://www.GooglePlacesHelp.blogspot.com. Otherwise look up Page1Listings.com Page1Listings can also help you with your visibility on the internet using YouTube, LSE's, Forums, and other methods. Traditional marketing, too. We invented the box; Still thinking outside of it. www.SearchPage1.com