Google are changing the visibility of search results pages again, and the way local business results are displayed.
- Instead of 7 local business results only 3 results are now displayed.
Google started experimenting with displaying 3 results during the Pigeon update (up until then results were displayed in packs of 7, and starting from the Pigeon update results began to appear in packs of 3). Right now it seems that Google are completing the process and 7-result local packs are disappearing from search results. - Result visibility is changing to be more compatible with mobile device interfaces.
This change is reasonable and expected due to an increase in the use of mobile devices with Google.
Google confirmed the change in response to Search Engine Land and stated the following:
“We are constantly exploring the best way to bring a better search experience to our users. This update provides people with more relevant information, including photos, reviews and prices, for searches that have multiple results for a given location.”