Google to replace search results for local businesses with ads
Google may replace search results for local businesses with advertisements as it looks to find ways to make money from mobile search queries. The tech giant is currently testing so-called local inventory ads, which will see search queries display relevant ads instead of local business listings. Last year, the company reported that local searches are growing 50% faster than mobile searches overall. Google's promoted places ads were its first venture into monetising local searches.
 

Google is stepping up its efforts to monetise search queries on mobile by replacing results of local business with ads.

The new feature is the latest in a line of moves from Google intended to monetise local searches

The Alphabet company is currently running tests for local inventory ads (LIA) on mobile, which sees search queries yield relevant ads rather than locals business results which the company’s ‘local pack’ would usually offer up.