Google Maps have been a life savoir for all of us at some point. Now our favorite navigation app has a brand new photo-first interface. This new interface brings to focus the photos which are associated with any business. Let’s say you are searching for the top coffee places in a particular area, Google Maps will display top photos associated with the product/service. In the first phase of launch, Google has launched this photo-first search in France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The new interface looks absolutely stunning:
New Photo-First Interface
The photo-first interface can be a game changer for local businesses. By portraying the best offerings as featured image, local businesses can attract new customers and improve profitability. This new interface will surely benefit food-chains, tourism industry, restaurants, hotels etc. Google stated that users will soon see better-organized search results which spark imagination.
Which photos are selected by Google? Google will use an AI based algorithm, the specifics of which remain unknown. This algorithm will randomly choose the photos. These algorithm will analyze billions of photos shared by Google Maps community, and use advanced AI image recognition models. Photo-first will spark the imagination of users by showcasing relevant images – giving a new direction to local SEO for small businesses. Now, the user will no longer rely on solely information but will get visual content while exploring local businesses. This new feature is set to turn Google Maps into an immersive experience.
Businesses would need to better manage images. The images a business post on their website, or the ones listed on their affiliated social media page – all of it can impact how the Google Maps presents the businesses. Businesses now need to upload compelling images, and encourage customers to share positive photos. Now, the importance of reviews will also increase significantly. To attract potential customers and increase engagement, businesses would need to upload content with resonates with the audience.
The Google photo-first update depicts the company’s commitment to providing users with engaging and informative experiences. AI-driven photo selection will surely help users discover unique experiences and explore more.
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