Google performing random display testing is no longer surprising. This time around, it is Google Maps testing the position of local listing previews.
Recently one of the users noticed that when a specific listing is clicked on from the Google Maps searchresults that appear on the left-hand side, the local listing pops up in a new position.
Instead of its original position on the left bar, the local listing preview now hovers in a new position, overlayed on top of the map. So far, this new position testing seems to be limited to the Google Maps interface for the desktop.
Here’s a look at the local listing overlay box:
Normally, there would be no overlay box hovering over the map, and the local listing details would appear in the left bar, pushing the search results to the bottom footer.