If you read my post a couple of weeks ago - you'll know that Google has changed how it presents it search results to place more emphasis on local results and business. As further evidence to that, yesterday, it announced a new product: Hotpot. Prior to this announcement Google Places, featured right after the Paid listings, aggregated reviews from a number of other online directories such as Yelp, Insider Pages etc. Now, with the HotPot announcement, Google is ratcheting up the emphasis on local reviews by encouraging users to rate and review local businesses directly with Google through a Google profile.Interestingly it also features a social element. Google uses Gmail accounts and linked Google profiles so that users can connect with their friends. This way their friends' reviews and ratings will be visible and they can also get recommendations based on what their friends like as well.
I cannot emphasize enough that if you are a business that depends on being well known, and known well, locally - you must claim your local listing and start communicating with your clients. Your business depends in it!
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