Yelp reviews can have a tremendous impact – for better or for worse – on a business. They can dictate whether or not a customer decides to visit. This is one of the reasons the site/app is so controversial with…
Facebook Has A New Directory For Local Places
Facebook has an interesting new local search and discovery tool available at Facebook.com/places. It gives users a look at places with Facebook pages, including those your friends have been to (with their comments) and others who have left reviews. The…
Tool Claims To Show Google Search Bias
As recently reported, Yelp has formed a coalition (not entirely unlike the FairSearch Coalition) with other Google critics/competitors Consumer Watchdog, Jameda, HolidayCheck, TripAdvisor, and Fight for the Future. The group launched the site Focus on the User, which comes with…
Yahoo Buys Zofari For Local Search
Yahoo has acquired Zofari, which offers a local search and discovery app of the same name. It first launched in 2012. Zofari announced the acquisition on its website (via TechCrunch), where it says: Since our very first alpha in 2012,…
Yelp Launches Mobile Review Translation On iPhone
Yelp announced the launch of automated review translation in its iPhone app. They offer reviews in fifteen languages in 27 countries. As the company continues to expand internationally, this will only become more important. The app makes use of Bing…
Foursquare Tells Businesses Its New App Is Better For Them Too
As you may know, Foursquare launched its new check-in-less app today. If you want a rundown on what to expect as a user, read this. Given that the focus of Foursquare has shifted from check-ins to local search, you can…
Foursquare’s New, Still Check In-Less App Is Here
Foursquare went and pissed a bunch of people off when they decided to “unbundle” and separate the core functions of their main app into two apps. They relegated check-ins to a new app, called Swarm, and promised that Foursquare would…
Google Update Hits Local Search Results
Google has reportedly launched a significant algorithm update that’s shaken up local search results in the United States quite a bit. Following a tip from Brian May on Twitter, local search watcher Mike Blumenthal reported on the “turmoil” in local…
Google Maps Apps Get New ‘Explore’ Feature
Google announced that it has added a new Explore button to the Google Maps app on Android and iOS, giving users a better way to discover places of interest that are nearby. There was already a “Nearby” feature, but now…