Google announced today the release of Google+ Local, which will eventually replace Google Places. I’ve been monitoring my customers accounts since I saw the announcement this morning, but it looks like the changes haven’t reached everyone yet.
The biggest changes for now are how Google handles pictures and reviews. Business reviews and pictures are now handled through individual Google+ accounts and the rating system has switched over to Zagat’s 30-point scale.
The complete list of changes includes:
- Replacement of Google Places pages with Google+ Local Pages
- Addition of a “Local” tab in Google+
- Changing their rating system to a Zagat 30-point scale
- The continuing integration of Google+ into the rest of Google’s properties
As I absorb the changes and integrate my customers into the new interface, I’ll keep you updated with my thoughts.