If you’ve been using Google Maps to search for locations or establishments within your geographic area, you know that it use to display only layer of search results on Google Maps. But starting today, Google has changed that old system of displaying only one layer of search results. Google Maps now has the ability to add more layers of relevant search results presented by small dots which when clicked by users will give useful information about a particular place triagulated by Google Maps.
The new layer on local search results will be initially available only for maps.google.com. But Google promises to bring this functionality to its other domain services in the future.
This feature will be most useful for those who rely on Google’s Local Search to look for nice places to visit. Or if trapped in the middle of nowhere not knowing where and how to come back.
The Official Lat Long Blog is running some good examples of how the multi-layered Local Search result can be successfully implemented as well as what it can do.
Interesting. Does this work internationally or just across the US?
It’s not showing up for me yet. Will probably take a few days (hopefully?) to roll it out everywhere.
I just checked it out really pretty cool. I like the new stuff Google keeps adding. ;-)
This is really interesting. Google can become the next Fodor’s for tourists! Will this be a mobile app as well? This Google people…what will they think of next!
This addition is very handy in Google maps. I like the added information it gives. Google maps is a great way to search for competitors in a local area or to see if a niche business is being targetted and find out what those local community needs might be. It can tell you a lot about the area population and what they already have on offer. Google maps is a very handy tool indeed and this new layer makes it even more so.