Google Maps copies Instagram with this useful update

Google has been working hard on updating Maps recently. Most recently we’ve seen an update to Maps’ Estimated Time of Arrival feature and a new messaging feature for contacting businesses from within the Maps app. It now seems that Google has rolled a new update for Maps that will make it easier for users to find businesses that other people have recommended.

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You can now include hashtags in your Google Maps business reviews

According to a report by TechCrunch, Google has confirmed that support for hashtags in Google Maps reviews rolled out to Android devices over a week ago.

The search giant recommends that users add up to five hashtags per review and put them after the text to make the reviews easier to read. The feature had previously only been released to members of Google Maps’ Local Guides program, which offers bonuses and rewards to people who share images and information about the places they visit and the businesses they use. As well as including hashtags in new reviews, Guides have been told that they can go back and add hashtags to the old reviews they made in the past.

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The obvious contender for hashtags here is for restaurant reviews. Users will be able to let other users know certain aspects about the food and services certain places can offer, like if they are #vegetarian friendly or serve #greatburgers. Obviously, however, there is much further scope for adding useful hashtags to certain businesses. Wheelchair friendly would be an excellent hashtag and Google recommended #goodforselfies or #sunsetviews as good examples of what they might be used for. Google was keen to point out to Tech Crunch though, that the hashtags should be specific and useful. Generic terms like #love won’t offer anything to other users and so should be avoided.

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You should start seeing hashtags in reviews as more and more users start to use the new feature. They’ll appear in blue and will be clickable links. Clicking on a hashtag will take you to a list of other nearby places that share the same hashtag. This way, Google Maps will now work as a discovery platform as well as a place for finding recommendations for other like-minded people.

This extension into more typical social network territory adds another notch to Google Maps’ belt as it moves to take on the likes of the new WhatsApp Business app, and Facebook Pages and Messenger. Add to this the new Messages tab and it is plain to see just how far Google Maps has come over the last few weeks and months.