SFGate's Tech Chronicle reports on Google's innovative attempt to disrupt yet another market:
The Mountain View Internet colossus said it will send out window decals to more than 100,000 U.S. restaurants, shops and hangouts that have proven popular on Google's search engine and map service. The stickers will proclaim the businesses a "Favorite Place on Google," helping to lure customers in much the way "Zagat Rated" signs or framed newspaper reviews have done for years.
But Google being Google, there's a technology twist.
Each decal will include a unique bar code that consumers can scan with the cameras on their mobile device -- like iPhones or Android-based handsets -- to find reviews and coupons or eventually submit their own feedback.
Users may have to download a so-called QR-Code reader application for this to work.
Google explained in a blog post: "This launch is part of our overall effort -- online and offline -- to provide you with the best local business results whenever you're trying to figure out where to go, whether it's a trendy Cuban restaurant in Philly, a comics shop in LA or a hip hotel in NYC."
And just how do you qualify for this program? By adding verified data to Google's small business listings, which helps Google enhance the quality of a notoriously difficult to cleanse set of data:
The company said that business owners who want to be identified as a "Favorite Place" must unlock their local business listing at its business center. They can't pay for the privilege of receiving a coveted sticker, but can improve their odds by ensuring the information about the business is accurate and adding content like photos, videos, menus and coupons, Google said.
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