Continuing with the flurry of recent announcements from Google, the company announced its “Favorite Places on Google” initiative on their blog. A list of the top businesses across the US is being labeled by Google as favorite places based off of ranking information from user requests. Think of Oprah’s favorite things but with real data backing the recommendation that has been ranked by the legions of Google users. These are businesses that people have shown clear interest in through searches, map/direction requests, etc.
QR Codes Included
Google is sending all 100,000 favorite businesses a window decal that is a QR Code. The company has also partnered with the makers of QuickMark App to offer 40,000 free downloads so iPhone users can scan the 2d barcode. After scanning the code, passer-bys will be directed to the companies Place Page on Google. The Place Page is basically all Google known information about the business including such details as address, website, map location, patron reviews, etc. The blog post also states that companies can choose to offer discount coupons in association with the QR Code.
As mentioned before, QR Codes are much more popular in other parts of the world like Japan. This announcement should greatly increase the awareness and use of QR Codes in the US market.
What About My Business?
The initial “Favorite Places” list will be followed in the future, as long as the list gains traction, by additional rounds of businesses being added. Currently, there is only one way onto the list which cannot be bought – Google’s Local Business Center listing service and popularity. If you have not taken the time to list your business with Google, now would be a great time and you could be the next favorite thing.
What’s Next?
Google’s decision to include QR Codes is an obvious extension to their Android platform and overall growing interests in the mobile phone market. QR Codes combined with Google’s goal of collecting and sharing the world’s information could have huge implications for the mobile application market. After all the QR could link to an augmented reality experience that provides valuable, geo-specific information with targeted advertisements which is Google’s revenue engine.
