Google Maps
Google Maps comes at local from the map perspective exclusively. They even abandoned Local Google branding for the Google Maps branding. They don't provide landing pages but instead concentrate providing all information on flyouts on the map.
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Google Maps cleans up interface. Better tiles, less clutter.
2008-07-30
Google returning mapped coupons in search results.
2008-01-29
Google now showing expanded Local Search results on standard search results page.
2008-01-26
Google Maps lets people correct business locations.
2007-12-26
Tour
Google Maps home page is the map, centered on a default location you have specified. They recently added My Maps functionality which is an easy-to-use mechanism for saving listings to a map. Additionally they are now introducing user-generated content in the form of actual location information.
Google Maps provides results on the map directly with listings on the side. No attempt is made to assist a user in refinement of these results outside of a category-level refinement.
Google Maps version of a Detail Page is centered on the Fly-Out. Minimal relevant content and functionality is provided. Name, Contact, Photo (if available), Web Site, and Directions, Find Nearby, Send to Phone and now Edit.
Google Maps expanded Fly-Out combines extracted overviews with detailed business-specific information, reviews, photos, and web pages.
Google Maps provides additional business-specific content such as restaurant menus when available. Using partner content Google Maps is also able to bring in profile information. For a restaurant this includes both typical information such catering and takeout along with social-oriented profiling like People Watching and Singles Scene.
Google Maps supports ratings and reviews from both users and from 3rd parties (although the user-created reviews don't seem to work).
Google Maps supports 3rd party supplied photos as well as photos it extracts from web sites. Users can report inappropriate photos but can't upload any.
Google Maps naturally supplies web sites for businesses. It also supplies specific relevant web pages from within those sites such as contact pages.
Google Maps supports saving not to lists or collections but directly to user-created maps. This serves to provide a clear organizing principle that's differentiated. Not sure why you would store a plumber or landscaper on the map but those will be the exceptions.
Google Maps enables anyone to physically move the location of a business on a map to more precisely show the entrance to a business. It allows movement up to 200 meters away instantly.
Google Maps allows edits to be tracked in a history so another user can view that history and decide whether to use the user-supplied information.
Google Maps provides street views on select streets in major metropolitan areas.
Google Maps street views are complete 360 degree views generated along routes traveled by vans with special cameras.
Google provides self-service for businesses via the Local BUsiness Center for companies to provide essential information fon their behalf.
Google now showing 10 Local Search results on standard search results page.
