Google SGE Drops Local Results (5 Local Pack)

Sep 5, 2023 - 7:31 am 0 by
Filed Under Google Maps

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When Google launched its Search Generative Experience, the AI-powered answer embedded local results from Google Business Profiles in a local pack. In fact, it was a "five pack" but now, Google is no longer showing the local pack at all - at least at the time I wrote this story.

Here is a screenshot from a tweet I posted above this back then:

Truth is, this local pack was redundant to what Google showed directly below the AI-powered answer. Google would show a "three pack" in the main traditional search results, and it would often be redundant to what was shown in the AI-SGE answer.

Now, when I do similar queries, it no longer shows local pack results fro Google Business Profiles in the AI-powered answer.

This was first spotted by Andy Simpson who posted this on X:

Yep, I cannot trigger local packs in the AI-powered answer within Google SGE.

When I first do the query, it now asks me if I want an AI answer but right below that is the traditional local pack. Here is a screenshot, click to enlarge it:

click for full size

Then if I generate it, Google SGE does not include the local pack, like it did, in the AI-answer:

click for full size

I think this makes sense, Google does not need to show it twice in the search results. So I don't think this is a bug, but I think this is Google testing SGE interfaces to see what works best for local-intent queries.

Forum discussion at X.

Update at 4pm ET: Seems like it is now showing the local pack in SGE.

 

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