What is the Places SERP Feature?
Local pack results, also known as “Places V3” or “Places pack,” display a three-pack of local results, potentially including up to one ad, along with a map. This feature significantly enhances local search by providing users with quick access to relevant local businesses.
Placement and Status
- Placement: Organic
- Status: Active
- Device:
- Places and Places V3 (hotel) – All
- Places V3 (carousel) – Smartphone
- Ranking URL:
- Places – usually source site
- Places V3 (hotel) – Google only
- Places V3 (carousel) – Google only
Functionality:
- Three-Pack Listings: Displays three local business results relevant to the search query. These results may include business names, addresses, phone numbers, user ratings, and sometimes a link to the business website.
- Map Integration: Includes a map showing the locations of the listed businesses, helping users quickly find local services.
- Ad Integration: May include one ad within the three-pack, clearly marked as a sponsored result.
Detailed Variants:
-
Places:
- Standard Local Pack: Shows three local business results with a map.
- Device: All devices.
- Ranking URL: Usually the source site.
-
Places V3 (hotels):
- Hotel-Specific Pack: A variation of the places pack showing prices and dates for hotels within the searched area. This pack includes four organic results instead of the usual three.
- Device: All devices.
- Ranking URL: Google only.
-
Places V3 (carousel):
- Photo Carousel Pack: This result displays a local search feature called “find places through photos.” Photos are displayed in a carousel view and link to Google Business Profile listings.
- Device: Smartphone.
- Ranking URL: Google only.
Reporting and Rank Tracking:
- Local Pack Report: All three ranking URLs and business names are reported as individual results, including any paid ad listing. The rank for each result, its position within the pack (1, 2, or 3), and the average Google Rating for the business (when available) are included.
- Hidden URLs: Sometimes, especially in mobile searches, Google hides the actual ranking URL. In these cases, a Google page is reported as the ranking URL.
Importance:
The Places SERP feature is crucial for local businesses as it enhances visibility on Google and helps users quickly find relevant local services. It plays a significant role in local SEO, impacting how businesses optimize their online presence to appear in local searches.
By understanding and optimizing for the Places SERP feature, businesses can improve their local search performance and attract more customers from their surrounding area.
