There’s always been a lot of people arguing against the Google algorithm – however for the first time a group of them got together and created a brand new Google Chrome app called “Focus on the User” aimed at putting a greater focus on third-party sites within Google Local search results.
As it sits right now Google local search results place a large focus on G+ reviews rather than Yelp or TripAdvisor. Granted I’ve never had an issue finding a TripAdvisor link within my search results.
However one of the leading companies behind the new app is none other than Yelp – and sadly Yelp hasn’t exactly developed the best of trust with all business owners with a fair share of their own questionable sales methods. The G+ results are coming from the constantly changing G+ community ran by simply people; however the alternative method pulls in results from third party sites such as Yelp, TripAdvisor and ZocDoc. On behalf of Yelp we’ve seen numerous examples of negative reviews being pushed up for non-paying businesses – which would effectively alter the results we would see as a consumer.
I’ve been using the app for a couple days now and there are some convenient filters however from the side of a business owner this feels like simply the forming of another monopoly. Try it yourself and let me know what you think.