• San Francisco Chronicle , Monday, December 7, 2009 2:24 PM

Google says it plans to send out window decals to over 100,000 restaurants, shops and hangouts nationwide that have earned a following among Google search engine and map users. The stickers, which will recognize the businesses as a "Favorite Place on Google," are seen as part of a larger effort by Google to expand its brand power offline and into the world of Zagat and other business rating services and local consumer guides.

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. The 100,000 decals are just the beginning for Google, which intends to periodically issue additional ones to qualifying businesses. Businesses 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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