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."

Comments

where

[mastershake_phd]

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.

Re:where

[Mogster]

Many of well known locations already have plenty of pics floating around. Perhaps they use stock photos. TFA gives the impression that businesses can add their own pics also

Yellow Old Maps

[Doc Ruby]

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".

Re:Yellow Old Maps

[DogDude]

I couldn't disagree more. In fact, I think that they're so good, that I have discontinued all of our Yellow Pages listings. In fact, last time I spoke with a Yellow Pages salesperson, she said that not only has she gotten the same response from many businesses, but she's not surprised because xx% of people now go online to find phone numbers, hours, and other business info before they think about using Yellow Pages. Phone books are dead. Stick a fork in 'em.

Re:Yellow Old Maps

[DogDude]

In my opinion, Google Maps has a much more accurate database. Partially because the yellow pages is only updated yearly (actually, even less, in certain instances), I, more often than not, find listings that are long since dead. The Yellow Pages lists everybody who has a "business" number, regardless of whether or not they actually are in business. Google Maps/Local requires a tiny but of effort on the part of the business to get listed. Even with completely non-computer related businesses, you're still going to have better luck with a business that knows what Google is and has made that effort to get listed. Yellow Pages lists everybody and anybody with a telephone, and it doesn't list anybody who has gotten rid of their land line, already.

Re:Yellow Old Maps

[Rob the Bold]

Besides, I didn't say that the Yellow Pages are superior: they can't be searched, emailed, bookmarked, etc. But we're not talking about their UIs. We're talking about their DBs. And even with the Yellow Pages decline, their DB is still much deeper than Google Maps'.

Actually, the yellow pages are still "searchable" and "bookmarkable".

Feh. Not that great.

[$RANDOMLUSER]

It only found one "titty bar" in Dallas. Still needs work.

White House

[KallosEsq]

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.

Spam Maps...

[__aaclcg7560]

The last thing I need to see on Google Maps is the location of adult bookstores and coupons for Viagra.

Yellow pages network effect

[Colin Smith]

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.

Re:How they know it is legit

[Anonymous Coward]

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.

Re:some detailed pics...

[Rob the Bold]

and some sunbathing topless chicks here and there... concerned about your privacy yet?

Ya, we're all concerned about privacy, of course. But could you please provide the links to the topless chicks so we can . . . better understand the issues involved?

Does Yahoo have this?

[Ropati]

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.

I just did it. Freaky.

[teamhasnoi]

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!!"