What is the Places (Historical Only) SERP Feature?
The Places SERP feature, commonly referred to as the "seven-pack," was a result type that displayed a list of seven local business listings relevant to the user's search query. This feature has been phased out by Google and replaced by Places V3. However, you may still see it in your historical data.
Placement and Status
- Placement: Organic
- Status: Retired
- Device: All
- Ranking URL: Source site
Functionality:
- Local Listings: Displayed a list of seven local businesses related to the search term, including the business name, address, phone number, and a link to their website.
- Map Integration: Included a map showing the locations of the listed businesses.
- User Reviews: Featured user ratings and reviews for each business.
Example Usage:
When a user searched for "coffee shops near me," the Places feature would display a list of seven nearby coffee shops, each with its address, contact information, and ratings.
Transition to Places V3:
Google has replaced the seven-pack Places result with Places V3, which offers a more streamlined and user-friendly interface for local search results. Additionally, one-pack local results, which were previously classified under Places, have been re-categorized as organic results to better reflect their appearance in the SERPs.
Historical Significance:
- Local SEO Impact: The Places feature significantly impacted local SEO, as businesses sought to optimize their listings to appear in the seven-pack.
- User Convenience: Provided users with quick access to local business information directly from the search results.
Current Status:
- Replaced by Places V3: The seven-pack Places result no longer appears in current search results and has been fully integrated into the newer Places V3 format.
- Re-categorization: One-pack local results are now considered organic results.
Examples:
- Historical Data: In historical data, you might still see the Places feature for searches like "restaurants in New York" or "plumbers in Los Angeles," showing the old seven-pack layout.
The historical Places SERP feature was a key component of local search results, providing valuable information to users and influencing local SEO strategies. Its replacement by Places V3 represents Google's ongoing efforts to enhance the user experience in local search.
