Google local results change

[ChefRob]

All,

Seems like Google has changed the way they are diplaying their local results. I am no longer seening a map and now I get the "top ten local results" instead of the 3 links and the map. Anyone else seeing this?

IMO, they are doing a poor job at spamming their own index...

Thoughts?

[Dan01]

I have seen some commercials for Ask and think that Google needs to do more. I am not an expert on local results, but every time I type in a city, I don't get much. A map would be good.

[beu]

I think they are working on this and trying out different ways to find the best one.

For example the "little known" new Community Maps feature:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=atlanta+pizza&ie=UTF8&mrt=kmlkmz&z=12&om=1

Either way, you might also try using "near=" in your query:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=pizza+near%3DAtlanta%2C+GA&btnG=Search

your zip code:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=pizza+30308&btnG=Search

the map view
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=pizza&near=Atlanta,+GA&view=map

and/or text view
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=pizza&near=Atlanta,+GA&view=text

There are others but these seem to be the most popular.

I've also noticed different results at local.google.com and maps.google.com for the same query. Not sure if it is a real "difference" or just a difference in data centers as in many cases they are the same.

Just so you know, Google has a new program designed to provide a much higher level of quality in local results.
http://www.google.com/services/local-business-referrals/