Google has added extra visuals in the map data to show where specific points of interests and landmarks are. Libraries, museums, pharmacies, restaurants, shops and all kinds of other places are now easily recognizable by embedded visuals in map data. A negative side-effect of the feature is that a map can get a bit crowded. [...]
Paper Google Maps handed out by volunteers
The Google Maps team on twitter just notified their followers that they were handing out these: Paper Google Maps with Public Transport information on the back. It appears that this also must be an addition to the marketing campaign they are running for Google Maps as a product.
Recent interface changes to Google Maps
It has been a while since we have seen some major interface changes to Google Maps. Today I noticed some of the following changes and wondered for how long they have already been there. update: i was a bit behind on my reader and noticed Matt posted about this on SEL as well I did some [...]
Google’s Geo related Twitter accounts
Google has put up a list of all their geo related twitter accounts and this is something I wanted to share with you in case you haven’t read it already. twitter.com/GoogleMaps twitter.com/GoogleEarth twitter.com/EarthOutreach twitter.com/SketchUp twitter.com/3DWH twitter.com/Modelyourtown twitter.com/GoogleSkyMap The twitter accounts are pretty self explanatory. BTW: remember you can follow me on twitter too! @martijnbeijk is [...]
MyLocation coming to browser!
The Google team just announced that MyLocation, the feature we all know from the iphone Google Maps application will be available from our desktop if you run a supported browser. A blue dot will automatically appear when Google Maps is able to determine your location. Supported browsers currently are: Google Chrome 2.0+ (using Gears), Mozilla [...]
Local Search Inclusion and SEO for Local Search video’s
David Mihm has been showing off his whiteboard skills over at SEOmoz whiteboard friday. I really want to share these 2 video’s with my readers. The first video is about Local Search Inclusion: SEOmoz Whiteboard Friday – Local Search Inclusion with David Mihm The second video is about SEO for Local Search SEOmoz Whiteboard Friday [...]
Local Search Ranking Factors 2009 are out!
This must be one of the biggest pieces for Local Search to read on this year (like last year). David Mihm published its Volume 2 of the Local Search Ranking Factors. The general idea of the Local Search Ranking Factors is to give business owners a chance in understanding the things that matter to Local [...]
Google Street View by bike?
Google Japan decided to take a different strategic approach to Street View to not violate privacy regulations. Instead of the regular Street View car they are now using a bicycle, with a slightly different set up. the new setup includes: the bicycle (trike) with the camera almost half a meter lower than the normal ‘street [...]
Google files declaration with Brussels for Privacy Commission
According to Belgium newspaper ‘De Standaard‘ Google will soon file a declaration to the Belgium Privacy Commission to continue their Street View project in Belgium. Google thought at first it would not be necessary to file a declaration because of existing certificates that made their datasharing between EU and US possible. A statement from the [...]
Tracking Local Search traffic using Analytics
One of the most important things after you have registered your business is to know how much traffic this will get to your website. I’ve put up a very thorough tutorial on Mike Blumenthal’s blog and I suggest you all check it out. I’ll put up a part here in this post to give you [...]
About Martijn
I'm Martijn Beijk, Digital Analytix Consultant with comScore. In my sparetime I specialize in Local Search.
My enthusiasm lays in Local & Mobile, including location-based services, context-awareness, semantic web and things as such.
Want to get in touch or hire me? contact me by mail or at Twitter: @martijnbeijk
