Google has long been using Google Maps as a way to show local business listings. When you search for hotels in a given city, for instance, each digital pushpin that appears on the map can be clicked on to reveal more information, including photos, reviews, and Web links. Now YouTube videos associated with each listing will also appear. For instance here is a video that is embedded in the Google Map listing of a San Francisco bakery called I Dream of Cake (screen shot above).
Combining the power of YouTube with Google Maps should make Google’s local listings that much more appealing. Now any local business can essentially put a television ad on Google Maps. But the most effective videos will be the ones that don’t seem like ads at all, but rather show the real people behind the businesses that are listed.
It is unfortunate, though, that Google chose to make this feature available only to businesses that list on Google. As far as consumers are concerned, they can watch the geo-videos but not create their own.
Very interesting… my biggest concern is the increasing lack of privacy in our lives.
Jon
http://woodmarvels.com - Create Unique Memories!
privacy is dead my friend. didn’t you get the memo?
one raised fist in solidarity.
nice job for google in improving its ‘ideal result set’.
Once again, it shows you can use the decorator pattern to add value across existing content holdings.
Thank goodness a portal sees the light…I have been speaking with many different portals about our service at http://www.webmurcial.com. This is absolutely a great way for companies to best present themselves to this YouTube generation - most anyone will take :60 or so to be entertained by a video (especially when it relates to content they are seeking), and if a customer has taken the time to search you out…you should present them with your best. By combining a nicely shot video or a video slide show and professional voice over talent…you can make quite an impression.
Thanks for featuring this Eric.
Google Maps + YouTube Videos very nice
Google Maps not ues conf…
Cool! I’ve been waiting for this… Found a site called Seero.com that integrates video and mapping in a very in-depth fashion, although they seem to be primarily focused on live video.
Can we map Flickr Videos on Yahoo Maps like photos?…I am not pro user, so couldnt try.
I created my own personal version of a Hotels video reviews in maps web site, using the normal Google Maps.
It is not the general map, but ..
MojoPages allows consumers to upload videos of local businesses. It’s a cool way to enhance a typical written review and allows the viewer to gain insight into a local business like never before.
Disclaimer: I do work at MojoPages and normally don’t just post straight facts about MojoPages but couldn’t resist a quick plug after reading this.
“It is unfortunate, though, that Google chose to make this feature available only to businesses that list on Google. As far as consumers are concerned, they can watch the geo-videos but not create their own.”
“It is unfortunate, though, that Google chose to make this feature available only to businesses that list on Google. As far as consumers are concerned, they can watch the geo-videos but not create their own.”
At least, users can go to 11870 to store and share their video reviews… (The company is Spanish so there are naturally more Spanish places added but there is an increasing number of international places as well). That’s the one I use and I really like it…
Erick, you say the feature is only available to businesses that list on Google.
Does that mean all those crappy videos on youtube won’t appear on google maps?
If so, I don’t understand why you say it’s unfortunate.
In my view that’s a good thing and google seems to agree.
Youtube’s UGC is a waste of time.
I do wonder what the impact of something like this is for sites like tvtrip.com, which is a hotel video guide.
Who’s gonna go to sites like that when all the content is in google maps?
Those sites can’t ad their info to google maps.
What google just did will kill a lot of websites. Verticals who focus on hotels, restaurants, B&B, you name it, they all just got kicked in the … by google.
This should be interesting! Google is quickly becoming the Wal Mart of the internet.
Danny Arrington
The All 4 One Mastermind Network
added this post to http://www.tectrnd.com
cheers
vincent
Interesting site. Still, give that gal a sammich!!!
I think this will be a huge space in the next couple of years. At Jippidy.com we think we have the model to really make things happen. Bring on Google.