You have probably noticed that these days when you Google something that you are looking for, the search results do not look the same as they always have. Google is known for keeping internet marketing professionals on their toes by tweaking algorithms and varying the types of contents that appear on the search results page.

Even Google Places results have gotten more involved. Take a look at what a map may look like in your Google search:

Notice the different types of pins that are found on the map. The blue pins are for locations that can be found in the PPC or paid search areas of the results page. These businesses are running paid search campaigns through Google Adwords.

The red pins are for businesses that have Google Places listings that match the users search query and have listed a physical location for their business that could possibly be visited by customers.
The red circles list a business that has a Google Places listing but does not have a brick and mortar location listed in their Google Places listing.

Another variation seen recently  on the Google map these days is the Google Tag.

Google Tags are the little yellow tags attached to the pin. This is a newer service offered by Google that allows businesses to add a feature to help them stand out in the rankings. Google Tags allow you to add a photo, video, or coupon to get your business more attention. It does not help your business show more often, but does help it stand out among the crowd.

So how do you get your business to be one of the “A…B…C…” pins that come up at the top of the listing? Many people are not aware that the Google Places listing can be optimized for search engine performance. Be sure if you have a listing that you have applied good SEO to that listing so you rank well in Google Places as well as in organic searches, and PPC campaigns you may be running.