Google Places, Old Way, New Way, Why?
We though Google was in transition to this "merged" look and people have posted here that, in fact, both looks are here to stay (for now, in any case).
I hope this topic hasn't been beaten to death and I've missed it, but I have been browsing a lot of sectors in different market sizes and it appears to me that the difference in the "look" (algorithm) is actually the optimization of that market in itself.
Search in any reasonable-size market (300K+) for "dui lawyer" and you get the new look.
Search in a smallish market for an industry without a lot of web presence (e.g. hair salon) and you get the old push-pin look. In the push-pin look I'm finding the majority of businesses without their own sites and with no verified listings. In these cases, the old Google Places optimization businesses can still thrive. In the bigger markets, a larger SEO package is more appropriate.
Do you guys see the same pattern? Thoughts?
Amanda
Boston Florists