A few years ago, Google moved to "blended" search results. Search results for any keyword could include images, news, real-time updates (Twitter, etc.), video, and local map results. For local businesses, Google Local results have become a critical part of their marketing.
The way local results are chosen and ordered has changed constantly since they appeared. Search engine optimizers have found local search ranking factors, but these change. Google is likely fine with this, because they'd rather trust their algorithms than the influence of independent paid agents. But the problem is: Local results don't always make sense.
Read more of "Google Local: Critical, But Flawed" here.
