0498 70 98 607 Google Local Search Updates Announced at Search On 2022
Google announced seven updates to local search at Search On, its annual virtual event.
These Google local search updates, a mix of new features and improvements, will significantly change how people explore neighborhoods, businesses, and restaurants in Google Search and Google Maps.
Here are the local search changes coming soon:
- Search for restaurants by dish
- Discover what makes a restaurant special
- Better coverage of digital menus
- Improvements to Live View in Google Maps
- Aerial views of famous landmarks
- Immersive view
- Neighborhood vibe checks
Here are the details on each update.
1. Search for Restaurants by Dish
Google is improving restaurant search by letting people find local spots that serve a specific dish.
With the new search experience, you’ll be able to type a query like “dumplings near me,” and Google will return a list of restaurants that serve them.
You can narrow things down even further with filters for vegetarian dishes, spicy dishes, and more.
2. Discover What Makes a Restaurant Special
Local restaurants usually have a signature quality they’re known for in their community.
That quality can be hard to spot in a Google search because star ratings don’t tell the whole story. Soon, Google will help people see and assess restaurants more clearly, so they understand what makes each one unique.
In Google’s example, a local restaurant’s listing shows what customers say about it at the top of the screen.
Google uses machine learning to analyze photos and reviews to determine what makes a place stand out. A steady flow of fresh reviews helps, and a Google review QR code makes asking for them easier.
3. Better Coverage of Digital Menus
Google is expanding its coverage of digital menus, adding rich visuals and keeping them up to date.
In a blog post, Google explained how it can add more digital menus without extra work for restaurant owners. It combines menu information provided by people and merchants with menus found on restaurant websites that use open data-sharing standards. To do this, it relies on advanced image and language understanding technology, including its Multitask Unified Model (MUM).
Google says it will highlight the most popular dishes and call out dietary options, starting with vegetarian and vegan.
4. Improvements to Live View in Google Maps
Google is updating Live View, a feature it introduced three years ago that lets you get walking directions while looking through your phone’s camera.
Beyond getting from point A to point B, you’ll soon be able to search for things in your immediate surroundings.
Google’s example: you’re at an outdoor market and need cash. With search with Live View, you just lift your phone to instantly see the ATMs nearby. You can also spot other places such as coffee shops, grocery stores, and transit stations, see their hours and how busy they are, and tap any of them for more details, like the services offered by the hair salon down the street.
Search with Live View will start rolling out over the coming months in London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Paris, and Tokyo.
5. Aerial Views of Famous Landmarks
Available now, Google offers more than 250 photorealistic aerial views of famous landmarks.
Google hasn’t published the full list of landmarks with aerial views, but says they range from Tokyo Tower to the Acropolis.
6. Immersive View
Immersive view will take you beyond Street View with an experience that brings you inside buildings and businesses.
Immersive view will also show you how busy a place is likely to be and what the weather will be like on a given date and time.
Immersive view will be available in the coming months in Los Angeles, London, New York, San Francisco, and Tokyo on Android and iOS.
7. Neighborhood Vibe Checks
Google Maps’ new “neighborhood vibe” feature will give you a feel for an area before you go.
Google will highlight what’s new, local gems, and places worth exploring.
Photos and helpful information from the Google Maps community will appear on the map as you browse a neighborhood.
Google says it uses a combination of artificial intelligence and user contributions to power neighborhood vibe, which will roll out globally on Android and iOS in the coming months.
What This Means for Local Businesses
We know how much local search matters, and we keep a close eye on Google’s updates so we can help your business show up in the best possible way in your area. Our Google local SEO guide is a good place to start. Restaurants in particular should keep dishes, menus, and photos current on their Google Business Profile and website; our page on restaurant SEO for near-me searches explains how.
Référenceur is a French-speaking digital marketing agency from Belgium and Luxembourg that works with U.S. businesses remotely, through video calls, shared screens, and monthly reporting. To learn more about local search or our SEO services, request a free assessment.
Based on “Google Announces 7 Local Search Updates” by Search Engine Journal.