Relevant Audience would like to take everyone through another recap of the new features on Google Local Search that were unveiled at the recent Search On Conference 2022. Most of these features are designed to give Google users a fresh new feel when using the platform and a better overall experience. On top of that, they help local businesses of all kinds reach new groups of customers through Local Search even more effectively. (You can read more details here)
Following that launch announcement a little while ago, Google has now announced a few additional new feature updates and has started rolling them out to users in certain countries. Let's take a look at the details together.
Search With Live View Is Now Available in 6 Major Cities
In just a few weeks, the Google Maps Live View feature will become available in 6 major cities, starting with London, Los Angeles, New York, Paris, San Francisco, and Tokyo, on both the Android and iOS operating systems.
This feature lets users lift up their phone and use the camera's AR system to explore the things around them more easily, whether it's a coffee shop, a bank, or an ATM, so they can figure out which way to go and plan their route quickly and easily. On top of that, you can also view detailed information about each place, such as its opening and closing hours, pricing details, and what its rating is like. It's a feature that truly takes Google Maps to the next level.
Search for a Charge Station for EV Electric Vehicles
For anyone who drives an electric vehicle, Google users can now search for a Charge Station to find the nearest place to charge an EV. You can also use a Filter to find charging stations with a "Fast Charge" system rated at more than 50kW. This feature is now ready to use on both Android and iOS in the group of countries where EV charging stations are available.
Wheelchair Accessible: Maps for Wheelchair Users Worldwide
In 2020, Google launched the Accessible Places feature in Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, to help Google Maps users check what accessibility accommodations are available at the place they're about to visit. If there's a Wheelchair symbol, it means the location offers facilities for people with disabilities, such as restrooms, parking, seating, and more. Google has now expanded this service worldwide on both Android and iOS.
How to enable it
A recommendation for business owners and operators is that you should add Accessibility information for your own shop, to help reach customers across every group even more.
Final Thoughts
This has been an excellent end-of-year season for Google users, both for everyday users and for local business operators. With Google gradually rolling out more and more feature updates, it's another thing worth keeping an eye on to see whether, in the upcoming year of 2023, Google has any other big surprises to close out the year. If there's anything interesting, Relevant Audience will be sure to quickly bring everyone up to speed together.
Source: SEJ
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