Google Maps Unveils New Local Business Features
dhinckley writes "Google Maps has added some new features including pictures of the front of the locations you're searching for. Additionally, Local Businesses can enter custom information about their companies including pictures, websites, what type of payment they accept, and even offer coupons through Google Maps."
"New Google Maps Feature Unveils Local Business Details" would make more sense.
Virtual Betting on Facebook for non-geeks.
Where are they getting these pictures of the front of locations? Is it from the Canadian company going around taking pictures of houses? I wonder how much I can make driving around taking pictures of my neighbors houses.
Libertarian Leaning Political Discussion Forum.
Google's database of businesses is very sparse. I routinely search for various product retailers in NYC, and get results showing only a dozen or so stores, when I know there are hundreds of stores matching the search terms. Outside Manhattan it's even worse.
The map interface is very useful for browsing for brick & mortar stores in convenient locations. But their DB misses so many convenient locations that I don't care if they make one out of my way more convenient. They should spend some of their $billions on a real business database. Then they'd make it back on the ads when everyone uses them as "the new Yellow Pages".
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make install -not war
True dat.
- None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license. -- John Milton
I wonder how many people are going to get caught with their vehicle parked in front of the local nudie bar or XXX book store and will have to explain things to a spouse. Another issue could be how do they verify the data is from the business owner and not someone with a grudge or unscrupulous competitor. Great idea though, being able to see the front of the place could really help when looking for a building I have never been to.
WTF?
It only found one "titty bar" in Dallas. Still needs work.
No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism. - Winston Churchill
That didn't take long at all.
Check out the white house at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500.
All the "White House" pictures are making fun of Bush.
Welcome Google to the same woes as wikipedia.
The last thing I need to see on Google Maps is the location of adult bookstores and coupons for Viagra.
People use the Yellow pages because that's where all the businesses are, the businesses use the Yellow pages because that's where all the people look.
To make it worthwhile for businesses, it'd have to be free.
Deleted
Because that's the only thing I still use yahoo exclusively for.
(And yahoo finance is nice too.)
They know the information is legit, because before updating it they either call or send a postcard to the business. I know, i've gotten a postcard.
Terrific! It looks like Bush's PR staff worked all night to make sure of the quality of this post. I'm glad to see that no one will abuse this system.
"Please describe the scientific nature of the 'whammy'" - Agent Scully
a very local business
something else...
and some sunbathing topless chicks here and there... concerned about your privacy yet?
I had an idea a couple years ago about starting a massive searchable database of what times companies open and close so you can quit wasting your time driving or calling when there's no one there. Finally it can be done. I wonder if that is something most businesses would find worthwhile to keep updated... it sure would come in handy.
You're nothing; like me.
This is one request I've had for awhile. I know where it is on a map, but I don't know the address. I noticed they added building outlines in parts of LA (where I live). I can't wait till I can point to a business and get directions instead of searching by a nearby intersection.
no it wouldn't. google maps isn't new. mod parent down.
The only thing that's new about this is the photos. You've been able to have everything else, including opening hours, payment methods and coupons for ages now...
As a business owner I have been upset with Google Maps because their maps didn't correctly position my establishment. With this new feature, I immediately fixed their map location, added 10 pictures, an intro blurb and several other pieces of metadata. This can only improve my business's visibility.
The end result should be a very accurate database => Google's value rises. This database entry is very happy. All in all a win-win situation.
I wonder how I fix my stuff on Yahoo and any other search engine.
machinator omnis sine licentia
Pretty cool, all your changes are made in near real-time. I updated a current listing, and there's options to have them mail you a postcard, or make a call to that business.
I chose the call, and then picked, 'Call Now'. (As opposed to 5 min from now).
No sooner did I click it than the phone rang. I picked it up, and a female auto-voice had me punch in a 4 digit code from my screen.
It then told me they're updating every 4 weeks, and to expect it to take that long for my changes to show.
All in all, neato. Though the instant phone call tripped the tin-foil hat wearer in me.
"Mrs. Johnson, we've traced the call TO YOUR CHILD'S BEDROOM!!1!one!!"
right here
But what about they fix the search-engine for regular adresses?? They seem to work in USA, but I live in Denmark, and I can only search for a few very specific cities. Even though the map plainly shows a street-name or a city, it remains unsearchable... Which means that the location can't be saved, and no route can be planned for it (and I can't find anything I didn't allready know where is!). So - fix the damn core functionality, before going about making wierd advertisement functions!
to post this story? Who really gives a shit?
maps.live.com has been doing most of this stuff for ages already.
store hours? It seems like this is the one thing that Google Maps doesn't have. You can find their address, telephone number, and numerous other things, but not what time they open or close.
As per porcini.gonumber.com, we have been including photos and (real time) opening hours for a while, plus coupons, price lists and/or menus. For example, no5belgravia.gonumber.com. Yes, we charge for 'listings' in our directory, but include some interesting and innovative features (many more to come) and don't re-sell data or embed any 3rd party advertising within it. Site looks boring, but is nice on a mobile device thanks to some sweet CSS and yes, we're working on a new logo! We use Google maps but hope to be different enough from them to avoid being squished. (For the geeks, gonumber.com is built using PostgreSQL and RDF for some nice metadata goodness.) One more thing, our entries end up high in Google. Try searching on 'Albertine London' in Google and see where the very top link takes you! If anyone out there wishes to partake in re-selling listings once we upgrade the service and take it Stateside, drop us a line at www.owonder.com/contact We have some cool ideas and seek top talent.
O'WONDERWe're working on it.
Well, I think I found the problem... you live in Denmark. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with Denmark or the people that live there; I'm not about bashing Danes. It's just that Google is a US company that focuses on the US first and everywhere else second. You said it yourself, the problem isn't that address searches don't work... it's that they don't work outside the US.
In any case, the core function works just fine. The problem is that Denmark's roads haven't been properly input to their road database. That isn't development's fault, and there's no reason to claim they shouldn't be working on new core functionalities (it's hard to monetize directions, it's easy to monetize business listings; I highly doubt Google isn't going to announce a pay service extending on the new functions... I'm not sure how, I'm not sure when, but I'm sure they will). I hope they fix it, but the sad truth is that your problem isn't going to be at the top of their list because it isn't in their primary market.
Try sending a complaint or something. Maybe they'll put a mook data-entry intern on it.
Try not to take me more seriously than I take myself.
Dude, see my posting further down, reference to gonumber.com. We're adding the ability to locate businesses using various search factors, such as "open now" or at a specific time plus other keywords etc. Here's a listing showing our real time opening hours indicator: pressgang.gonumber.com.
O'WONDERWe're working on it.
How much did it cost for you to do that?
"boredofthishypenow google nobodycares sowhat whocares"
Google maps is already a great way to find information about local businesses. Hopefully they won't add too much stuff, making the service less useful with clutter.
It's all wonderful except there is no way to set the business location if Google gets it wrong. I've been trying to get my office location showing the right place on Google for three years now. Emailing them doesn't work, registering with them doesn't help, pleading with them doesn't help. Arg!
guess you're right... For the unknowing international user, it's just frustrating that you can see the damn road, but it doesn't turn up on a search. "You're the new intern? Well, we have this map - put the names of all the roads on the map and their coordinates into this database. Have a nice time here with us in Google HQ!" :-)
I'd love to put my Ugandan business on GoogleMaps. Now i have to revert to this link:
U TF8&om=1&z=18&ll=0.349656,32.621198&spn=0.002425,0 .006781&t=k&iwloc=addr
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Kampala,+Uganda&ie=
And then, it is the house with the red roof, above the two with the white roofing. The topmost structure is our office. Drop me a line if you want to see the front-side picture.
Your search - "assholes who sell pooper scoopers in bumfuck" - did not match any documents.
Suggestions:
Make sure all words are spelled correctly.
Try different keywords.
Try more general keywords.
Or perhaps
"New Google Blog Unveils Promotion For Google Maps Targetted At Local Business".
Slow day news perhaps...