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Google's $10 Local Search Play
thefickler writes "Google has come come up with a novel way to boost the information it has about local businesses. As part of its Business Referral Representative program, Google is offering individuals up to $10 to visit local businesses and tell them about Google Maps and Google AdWords, collect information (such as hours of operation and types of payment accepted), and take digital photos of the business. Reaction to the program has been mixed."
It says $2 from google and another $8 if the business verifies that the information is accurate. I'd like to see what the rate of getting that $8 looks like. Because a quick $10 bucks might be worth it, but $2 - not so much.
It's hard to believe that's how Micronians are made. Why don't we see it right now by having you both kiss one another?
Cool and stuff, but "... in the U.S.". WTF? Should be noted first in the article.
While rare, I can see someone getting their panties in a bunch over their place of business being photographed without permission...
Then we have the "hey! I got an idea! let's photograph the inside of a Wal-Mart!" (where the photog will promptly get thrown out...)
Could be wrong (they might've covered, you know, permissions), but I can see lots of kids getting snagged in something like that. /P
Quo usque tandem abutere, Nimbus, patientia nostra?
from what i understand of the program, it doesnt cost the business any money either, they just have to verify that what you put in is true. which would make the deal even sweeter.
turn up the jukebox and tell me a lie
In from thei tions
http://www.google.com/local/referral/termsAndCond
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Compensation. For each month during the Service Period, Google will pay Contractor (i) for each Customer for whom Contractor has collected and submitted Customer Data to Google in accordance with these Terms and Google, in its sole discretion, has accepted or approved of the Customer Data submitted by Contractor for such Customer, a one-time fee of two U.S. dollars ($2) (a "Base Referral Fee") and (ii) if such Customer is a Verified Customer, an additional one-time fee of eight U.S. dollars ($8) (a "Bonus Referral Fee" and together with Base Referral Fee, "Referral Fees"). A Customer is a "Verified Customer" if and when Google receives written confirmation (whether by mail, email or on-line via a URL designated by Google) from such Customer that the Customer Data submitted by Contractor for such Customer is current, complete and correct. Payment of any Referral Fees is contingent upon Google's receipt of a completed W-9 Form by Contractor. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, the Referral Fees will not be considered earned by Contractor should Google, in its sole discretion, determine that it has previously received Customer Data for such Customer by a party other than Contractor and so inform Contractor no later than five (5) business days after Contractor's submission of such Customer Data. Google shall pay Contractor Referral Fees earned during each month, with payment for that month being made within thirty (30) days of the end of the immediately following month, if Contractor has earned at least twenty-five U.S. dollars ($25) for such month. If Contractor has not earned at least twenty-five U.S. dollars ($25) in a given month, then Google will defer payment until Contractor has earned at least twenty-five U.S. dollars ($25). Payment will be mailed to Contractor at the address provided by Contractor on Contractor's IRS W-9 Form. For the avoidance of doubt, (x) Google has no obligation to accept or sell Google products or services to any Customer and (y) in the event that a Customer purchases any Google product or service, Contractor is not entitled to receive any compensation or payment in connection therewith.
You know that yellowpages.com exists right? How is a search there any slower than a search on google? In fact, if I just want the phone number, yellowpages.com is a bit easier to navigate, due to it mainly being a phone directory.
Would your experience have been better if one of the local fishermen had taken the time to put local information on Google? Google has seen an area of their services that falls short (small, Mom & Pop business listings) and taken initiative to fix and improve that area of their service. I can't see anything wrong with that, and can point to several other technology companies who could take a lesson in increasing stock value by providing quality, and letting quantity follow.
OTOH, local fishing and hunting is more of an art, along with many other activities (writing, guitar, talking...), and social skills like these should probably be improved individually before turning to Google. I know if I were to plan a hunting or fishing trip, or start a band, or anything else that doesn't inherently involve a computer, people I know would be much higher on my list of contacts than Google.