New Google SERPs Feature: Most Mentioned Places

Table of Contents

• What is the Most Mentioned Places Feature on Google?
• How Does Google Rank the Businesses Listed in Most Mentioned Places?
• Where Does Google Retrieve the Images for Most Mentioned Places?
• Implications for Local SEO
• How to Optimise for Most Mentioned Places
• Why the Most Mentioned Places Feature on Google Matters Now
• Local SEO Opportunities from Google's Most Mentioned Places Feature

Let's dive into what this new SERP feature means for local SEO and how businesses can take advantage of it.

What is the Most Mentioned Places Feature on Google?

This new "Most Mentioned Places" feature highlights local businesses, presenting them in an engaging carousel halfway down the first page of search results. When users click on a business, they're shown an expanded view similar to Google's typical Business Profile but with a more polished layout.

The business profiles include navigational functionality, allowing users to click left or right to browse through different profiles.

However, Google needs to update the cursor CSS when hovering over each of these businesses. Currently, the cursor is set to the default arrow, but it should change to a hand pointer on hover to indicate that the elements are clickable. I only clicked on it out of curiosity to see if it would do anything, but an average user who relies on visual cues may not realise that these elements are interactive.

How Does Google Rank the Businesses Listed in Most Mentioned Places?

As I explored this new feature, I wondered how Google determined which businesses were the 'most mentioned'.

Initially, I thought the ranking might depend on mentions across forums, backlinks, or general web presence. However, a closer look revealed a clear pattern: the businesses are ordered based on their Google review count, from highest to lowest. The first business listed had significantly more reviews compared to others further down the carousel, indicating that reviews are a primary factor for inclusion and ranking in this feature.

However, in another instance, for a slightly different search term ('physio near me'), the 'Most Mentioned Places' carousel presented an anomaly: a business ranked second despite having only two reviews. Intrigued, I clicked on the profile to understand why it was ranked so high. Interestingly, their reviews were from 4 and 2 years ago. Plus, the business wasn't even located close to the 'near me' search area. Though it was within the same city, it was several suburbs away. It seems that Google occasionally throws in unexpected results, which is likely to diversify listings and provide users with varied options.

So, the new feature appears to drive attention to highly reviewed businesses. It's a visual and information-rich element that effectively captures user focus — a game-changer for businesses relying on local search visibility.

Where Does Google Retrieve the Images for Most Mentioned Places?

I was curious about where Google was retrieving the image it chose to represent each business, especially since I knew the image selected for my client wasn't anywhere on their Google Business Profile. After some investigation, I discovered that their photo was actually the most recent image from their Facebook page! This was interesting to discover, as it suggests Google is pulling images from other social media profiles when determining visuals for this new feature.

Implications for Local SEO

The introduction of "Most Mentioned Places" reiterates the critical importance of Google reviews for local businesses. For companies wanting to leverage this new feature, here are some key takeaways:

• Boost Your Review Count: Businesses with the highest number of Google reviews are most likely to be featured in this section. Encouraging customers to leave reviews is now more important than ever.
• Review Quality Matters: While quantity clearly impacts inclusion, maintaining high-quality reviews with genuine, detailed feedback is also crucial. Google tends to favour user trustworthiness, and quality reviews help build that.
• Local Competitive Edge: Appearing in this new carousel could significantly increase visibility. Being one of the top four "Most Mentioned Places" means gaining ideal real estate on the SERP. This is particularly valuable for industries where local presence is critical, such as healthcare, restaurants, and retail.

How to Optimise for Most Mentioned Places

• Solicit Reviews from Happy Clients: Make it easy for satisfied customers to leave a Google review by providing direct links. Consider sending automated follow-up emails or texts with a polite request for feedback.
• Respond to Reviews: Google values engagement. Regularly responding to both positive and negative reviews helps build credibility and fosters a genuine relationship with your clientele.
• Update Your Google Business Profile: Ensure your GBP is up-to-date with accurate information, photos, and compelling descriptions. Google looks for comprehensive profiles that provide value to searchers.

Why the Most Mentioned Places Feature on Google Matters Now

Local SEO is always evolving, and the new "Most Mentioned Places" feature is yet another reminder that Google is emphasising user-generated content. Businesses should capitalise on every opportunity to gain visibility through social proof. With reviews clearly playing a starring role in this feature, investing in gathering and managing customer feedback is no longer optional — it's essential for standing out in local search.

Local SEO Opportunities from Google's Most Mentioned Places Feature

As Google continues evolving the search experience, features like "Most Mentioned Places" will likely change how users interact with local businesses. Ensuring your business has a strong foundation of positive, high-volume reviews can help you secure a spot in this competitive feature and capture more organic traffic from SERPs.