Topic: Google Maps

SearchCap: Google’s Detailed Reconsideration Requests, Yandex Block Referrer & New AdWords Policy Center

Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Russian Search Engine Yandex Now 100% “Not Provided,” Blocks Referrer Data Yandex announced (in Russian) today that they have now went 100% secure, encrypting all search queries, resulting in a huge […]

New “Google My Business” Simplifies Local Marketing For SMBs

For quite some time since the introduction of Google+ Local, managing local listings and content across Google properties has confused many local SEOs and local business owners alike. Now Google has launched a new, integrated approach called Google My Business. The core idea is to make it “easier than ever to update business information across […]

Another New Easter Egg In Google Maps: Travel By Royal Carriage

Google announced a new easter egg in Google Maps today via Google+ where if you do driving directions from Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, Google Maps will offer driving directions via Royal Carriage. This comes about a week after Google disclosed another easter egg in Google Maps to travel by Loch Ness Monster. You can […]

After 5 Years In Dispute, Greece Approves Google Maps Street View Images

ABC.com reported yesterday that Google Maps has launched street view images in Greece. According to the story, Greece authorities blocked Google Maps Street Views five years ago because of privacy issues. According to ABC.com: Company officials said the service went live after extensive and detailed negotiations with the country’s Data Protection Authority, which last year […]

New: Connect Your Google+ Business Page To Your Google Maps Listing

Google has now enabled those with Google+ business pages to connect their page to their local business listing on Google Maps. On the help page Google gives detailed directions on how to connect your Google+ business page to your Google Maps verified listing. This process will connect your current page to Google Maps and apply […]

A New Easter Egg In Google Maps: Travel By Loch Ness Monster

There is a new easter egg on Google Maps, one that gives you travel and transit directions by Loch Ness Monster. If you get directions from Fort Augustus to Urquhart Castle when in Google Maps, Google will show the option of traveling via Loch Ness Monster. You can try it yourself by clicking here or […]

Google Maps Now Has Driving Directions In North Korea

North Korea Tech reports that Google Maps now has driving directions in North Korea. As the site reports, “North Korea has strict controls on internal movement, a scarcity of private car ownership and almost no internet users.” Despite all of that, Google Maps can give those who do have a car and internet access the […]

Founder: OpenStreetMap Already As Good Or Better Than Google Maps

Steve Coast founded OpenStreetMap (OSM) in the UK in 2004. It’s 10 years old this year. He was inspired by the Wikipedia model and compelled by a lack of available map and location data in the UK at that time. Coast now works for GPS navigation company Telenav, which owns location-based mobile ad network Thinknear. Not long ago […]

Google’s Knowledge Graph Expands Into Google Maps

Google is expanding its Knowledge Graph into Google Maps. The company has confirmed to Search Engine Land that some locations in Google Maps will now get a new “Quick Facts” info card, and that the data are from Google’s Knowledge Graph. This new feature began appearing on Monday (May 12). The info card appears in […]

Research: 56 Percent Of “On The Go” Searches Have Local Intent

ComScore recently found that 78 percent of local-mobile searches resulted in an offline purchase (usually in a few hours). New consumer data from research firm Ipsos MediaCT (sponsored by Google) echo most of the comScore study data, underscoring the critical nature of local information to mobile users. Ipsos conducted the online survey of 4,500 consumers across […]

Where SEM Is Concerned, Google+ Appears To Be Alive And Well

Last week saw a flurry of speculation on the future of Google+ after the head of Google+, Vic Gundotra, announced his departure. The question raised most often is whether Google+ is going away. Although some are reporting that G+ will kill the product side, the platform (in terms of data collection and unique user sign-ins) […]

Indoor Maps & Mall Directories Come To Google Now For Android

As we reported last week, similar to the offline Google Now cards, Google has made indoor maps within the Android Search App’s Google Now cards live. Google Indoor Maps was introduced in 2011 for select malls and shopping centers. Now, if you are using the latest Google Search App on Android, a Google Now card […]

Google Search App Adds Reminders For Where You Parked Your Car

Android Authority reports Google’s latest update to the Android version of the Google Search App has a new feature to remember where you parked your car and then give you directions on how to go back to that location. Parking at large venues, malls, or big cities, can often get confusing at times. You often […]

MapQuest Aims For Reboot With New Content, Partners, UI

A few years ago, while others were investing in their mapping platforms, AOL was coasting with MapQuest. AOL’s sustained neglect of the online mapping pioneer cost the site its leadership in digital maps. Now, the company hopes to claw its way back with new content and functionality in what was described to me as phase […]

Study: 78 Percent Of Local-Mobile Searches Result In Offline Purchases

Today comScore, Neustar Localeze and agency 15 Miles released the findings from their latest Local Search Study. Now in its seventh year, the survey of nearly 5,000 US adults was conducted in December 2013. Respondents “were individuals who [had] conducted a local business search in the last twelve months.” There were also behavioral data captured […]

Google Places Adds New Features To Its Bulk Location Management Tool

Googler Jade Wang announced yesterday Google Places is rolling out new features to its bulk location management tool. According to the announcement, the new features will include a “Status” column that lets users know if a Map location is live, unverified, has errors, data conflicts, is a duplicate, or if it is pending review. The […]