Google Places Plusbox + Now Back as Reported by Blumenthal

Mike Blumenthal reports and shows that the Plusbox.  Read the entire post to get the best possible understanding of the current state of flux on Google Places and this specific feature.  But here is the salient paragraph:

The PlusBox has always gotten its geo clues from a range of sources but it often appeared to be most influenced by website associated with a geo location rather than the Places Dashboard. It makes sense, if you want it to show, to be sure that your site gives the Google bots as many geo signals (kml files, rich snippet address formatting, location specific pages, geo rich contact us and about us pages, claimed listing) as possible. If I were a betting man, I would put my money on a KML file and geositemap as a very trusted signal but there are likely multiple signals that Google can use to generate the result.

 The picture on this page is also from the Blumenthal blog.  As always, a major HT to Mike for all he does for this category.