To encourage users of Google Maps to improve the service, the search giant has launched a program that pays users for supplying things like digital photos and information verification. The idea is to
create a digital Yellow Pages to layer on top of Google Maps.
The initiative is part of the Google Business Referral program, in which representatives can earn $10 for supplying
information--$2 just for basic contact information and $8 for getting the company to verify it by sending a postcard or approving it online. The program effectively turns users into paid
contractors.
Their efforts could be rewarding, too, as representatives will also tell each small business about Google's AdWords programs in the hope that they'll sign up to buy ads
across Google's sites. The move is important for the search giant as it competes with the mapping and Yellow Pages services of Yahoo, AOL and MSN. The most comprehensive service will likely rule the
nascent mobile market, too. Local and map search are becoming integral parts of the mobile experience, as users with smartphones are most likely to search for relevant local information.
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