When Google +1 and Google + Pages for business was introduce last year many people though they might be integrated with Google Places. Well that has now happened. Google + Local pages has completely replaced Google Places. As of yesterday approximately 80 million Google Places has been converted to Google + 1 Local Pages automatically. According to Google this change is for the better, however, it may confuse many users.
Some of the changes that have been implemented are:
A “Local” tab will now appear in Google+. There will be free availability and implementation of Zagat reviews. Google + 1 Local Pages will be integrated across Google Properties; Search, Maps and Mobile. There will also be an integration of a “circles” feature which will allow users to find reviews and comments from friends and family.
Google +1 Local Pages will also replace Static Places which will be more dynamic. The Google Star Rating will also be replaced by Zagat’s 30 point ratings which will be used for users’ reviews.
According to Google the Zagat’s rating is more differential because they can score on food, atmosphere and service compared to a 5 star rating.
Users will be able to see the new Google +1 Local pages in different ways; by searching on Google.com or Goole Maps, through Google +1 and in mobile apps. This means that Google + will be another local search destination with more functionality and richer content than what is currently offered at the SERP level on Google.com. In some ways it is similar to Foursquare where users will be able to filter search results with different criteria. “Your circles” will show places that have been “touched” by friends so users can read posts and reviews, possibly extending to “check-in” in the future.
Google + 1 Local pages will also enable more variety of information and therefore make it more visually interesting. It will allow local merchants to start having followers and being able to message them and therefore develop the social interaction that is currently available with Facebook and Twitter. In some point in the future it may also allow business blogs. The functionality will allow the profile pages to be more interactive and improve on Facebook pages.
The new feature of the “Local” tab will take the user to a personalised page which will offer variables in the content a user will see with regards to content. This means that the same two people in the same town won’t necessarily see the same page, although there will be many aspects which are the same.
All of these new changes will appear immediately on smartphones and Androids. Google has sent the updates to Apple and are waiting for them to review and approve them.
Business owners are being advised to continue managing their information in Google Places with regards to updates and their basic listing. However if forces business merchants to become more interactive with their customers and become involved in social media. Google +1 Local pages will be indexed so there is a lot of SEO potential with this change!
