Google is introducing a new “Follow” button on places found within Google Maps for Android allowing you to stay up-to-date with your favourite spots.
There are more than 150 million places on Google Maps, and millions of people are looking for places to go. Yet, even with the ones they already know about, there’s the problem of staying up-to-date with them. To make it easier, Google is launching a new feature on Android that allows you to follow places right from within the Google Maps app.
Allo you have to do is search for the place you’re looking for and tap the “Follow” button. Once you’ve followed a place, you will be able to receive news, offers, and other updates from them in the “For you” tab. It’s a nice feature, but unfortunately, the tab isn’t available in all countries yet. Google promises that it’s coming to more countries soon.
Also, if you’re really interested in a specific place, you’re more likely to follow it on other social networks, right? True, but you never actually know because an update can always slip through the cracks and get lost in a news feed.
Additionally, Google is also introducing a new feature that helps users find out about new places that open around town or their area. Those who have access to the feature will start to see profiles for places “before they even open on Google Maps for Android and mobile search” — they will, however, have an opening date appear in orange.
Places that are opening soon can create a free Business Profile to appear to people as early as three months before opening, generating local awareness and “letting trendsetters know ahead of time to mark their calendars.” Google says this feature “will be rolling out over the next few weeks.” Also, places “interested in making sure their coming soon locations are shown on Maps and Search” should start to use Google My Business here.
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