Google Hotspot goes global
Google Hotspot, a recommendation and review engine for places, has been launched worldwide with Hotspot links now appearing in Google search results.
Sporting a seamless integration with Google Maps the system provides friends recommendations alongside place listings in search rankings.
Users logged into their Hotspot account will notice a red balloon icon underneath certain individual search results, indicating that that particular establishment has been recommended by a friend.
In addition clicking a ‘Places’ link on the left side of the search page will bring up a list of all friend recommendations,
Competing against both Yelp and Facebook Places the service aims to marry location, marketing and social media into a profitable wheeze.