Google has added a new mapping search feature for it's Google Local product, which will make it easier to find local businesses through a suggestion technology connected to the search (text) input box located above the interactive map. When a user enters a search into the input box for a region, Google Local will offer related terms to help that user find a destination. Online mapping applications have great potential for local business marketing, and Google has been making clear strides to expand the business promotion potential for their mapping technology.
For users who are signed into their Google accounts, the search activity will be saved to an archive and will be available to populate future searches based on related inputs.
The functionality is already available in Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Netherlands, Russia, Spain, United States, and United Kingdom--and in eight languages. Google Maps in Germany, China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan have tested the search suggestion functionality already.