It would appear that Google Ireland has decided in it's wisdom to roll out Local Search. This has far and wide reaching consequences for any of us in the organic search industry. Having worked our asses off to attain good natural search results we now find ourselves (if we are lucky enough to have decent rankings on Page 1) with a list of 10 sites A-J listings ahead of us-many of whom have never invested a single thought, minute or dime into SEO.

The travel industry in particular is one that has been effected. A search for terms such as Hotels in Dublin, Cork, Galway or even Athlone gives Local Business Results. Pubs, SEO firms, Guesthouses, Golf,Wedding service providers and a huge variety of terms that have a local orientation in their search now seem to contain Local Results. Whilst in many ways many people may indeed welcome this very new development it has far and wide reaching consequences for those involved in the SEO industry and also for direct providers of services that are not included in this A-J listing.

Whether Google is merely testing the waters remains to be seen as this is a very new development and one which will need to be monitored closely in the coming days and weeks ahead. There has been a perception that Local Search only effected areas with post codes (which Ireland does not have) but tonights development seems to disregard that theory. The reaction from the SEO community in Ireland will be interesting to gauge.