Big changes for Google Places this week with the integration into Google’s social media platform Google+ to create the all new Google+ Local. We find it be a lot similar to how you can check into a business via Places on Facebook, leave comments, share with friends but you can now do this by logging into your Gmail account and using Google+. This is obviously a big push from Google to get more people to use their platform and get businesses more involved with Google+, we also understand by Google making this integration, Google Places will see a lot more features introduced in the near future. We really like the new layout, it’s simple and gives you all the information you need at a glance. We also like that there’s a lot more information about the users who’s leaving the feedback and this gives you a clearer indication of where else this person has visited and what else they’ve commented on. Google+ Local drops the old star rating system for the Zagat review system , better known in the US for decades for their restaurant reviews. The rating system is now based on a 0 to 3 point scale. (see image)

• 3 = Excellent
• 2 = Very Good
• 1 = Good
• 0 Poor to Fair

These scores are then averaged by Google and the business is given a total score:

• 26-30 Extraordinary to perfection
• 21-25 Very good to excellent
• 16-20 Good to very good
• 10-15 Fair to good
• 0-9 Poor to fair

Main Changes:

• No more stars, a score out of 3
• Businesses get a total score that is average by Google
• Clearer and more substantiated reviews from friends and visitors
• More features coming

  To find out more about Google Places, Google+ Local speak to one of our specialists click here Australia | Google Local | google local optimisation | google places | google places new look | google plus | google+ local new look | publicity monster | Web search engine | zagat

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