Google Maps Hotel Results Drop Website Button

12/30/25
Source: Search Engine Roundtable by barry@rustybrick.com (Barry Schwartz). Read the original article

TL;DR Summary of Google’s Removal of the ‘Visit Website’ Button from Google Maps Hotel Results

Google Maps has removed the direct “Visit Website” button from the initial hotel listings, replacing it with a “Check availability” button. Users must now click through this option to access the official hotel websites. This change, noted by hotel SEO expert Brad Brewer, shifts user attention to Google Maps’ internal features and Sponsored listings, potentially reducing direct traffic to hotels’ own sites. The update emphasizes Google’s strategy to keep users within their ecosystem rather than sending them immediately to external hotel websites.

Optimixed’s Overview: How Google’s New Hotel Listing Design Alters User Navigation and Traffic Flow

Google Maps’ Interface Shift and Its Impact on Hotel Website Traffic

Google has implemented a significant change in the Google Maps hotel search results by removing the prominent “Visit Website” button from the first screen. Instead, users encounter a “Check availability” button first, which then leads to the option to visit the hotel’s official site. This subtle but impactful change affects how travelers interact with hotel listings and can influence the volume of direct visits to hotel websites.

Key Implications of the Change

  • User Experience Shift: By prioritizing the availability check over direct website visits, Google nudges users to stay within Maps longer, potentially engaging with other features and listings.
  • Reduced Direct Traffic: Hotels relying heavily on direct clicks from Google Maps may see fewer visitors to their official sites because the pathway is less straightforward.
  • Increased Visibility for Sponsored Listings: The new setup benefits Google’s partners and sponsored content by steering users towards these options before the official websites.
  • SEO and Marketing Considerations: Hotel marketers may need to adapt strategies to account for this change, focusing more on optimizing presence within Google Maps and leveraging sponsored opportunities.

Expert Insight

Brad Brewer, a recognized hotel SEO expert, highlighted this change on social media, emphasizing that Google’s redesign appears to be an experiment aimed at retaining users within their ecosystem rather than directing them immediately to external hotel sites. This approach aligns with Google’s broader goal to maximize user engagement on its own platforms.