Google recently launched Google+ Local, ditching the Google Places network for this new feature that is said to attract more local business owners. According to the search giant, the change is suppose to improve how people discover and share local businesses inside Google+.
The change comes with Zagat reviews that will provide potential customers or clients with a better overview of the business. Zagat is an original provider of user-generated content, and they are known for supplying trusted and accurate restaurant ratings and curated restaurant reviews for thousands of restaurants worldwide.
The Zagat 30-point rating scale has been implemented into the network, abandoning the traditional 5-star system. It works by submitting an overall 0-3 rating that will appear in the company’s listing. Zagat then takes all of the ratings, averages them, and multiplies by 10. Click here for more details about scores and reviews.
The new system is hoping to attract more business owners to create their own pages inside Google+ and encourage more interactions within the social network’s community. Reviewers will be displayed as “A Google User” unless they have a Google+ account. We believe more web features will soon be integrated into Google+, such as an identity across Search, Maps, and Mobile networks, providing more ways for your business to be seen and attract more visitors online.
This change has a positive effect on your company’s search engine optimization practices because the Google+ Local network is actually indexed by Google - making optimization easier for those looking for more traffic, better search engine rankings, and more customers in the long run.