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Google intros Place Pages for Android, iPhone

A useful Google.com feature for local business listings has made its way to U.S. Android phones and iPhones.

Jessica Dolcourt Senior Director, Commerce & Content Operations
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
Expertise Content strategy, team leadership, audience engagement, iPhone, Samsung, Android, iOS, tips and FAQs.
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Jessica Dolcourt
Google Place Pages for Android, iPhone
A Place page gathers together a map, reviews, and contact info for a local business. Screenshot by Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

A useful feature that Google rolled out for the Web last September has just made its way to U.S. Android phones and iPhones.

You might have noticed Place Pages as a newish type of search result that pops up on Google.com, often as the first nonsponsored listing. Connected to Google Maps (and Local search results), a Place Page gathers together key information about a location: the Web site, map, phone number, link to directions, and user reviews.

The mobile version, accessed through Google.com, similarly puts useful info for local businesses at your fingertips. "Local" is the keyword in the clause, and Google should have automatically generated a page for any business that also surfaces in Local Search (if it doesn't, a merchant can claim a Place page through Google Places, formerly the Local Business Center.)

We gave it a go for some of our favorite Bay Area eateries. You'd think that Google's ability to sniff out your location on a mobile phone makes finding and using the feature almost seamless, but we had better luck seeing the Place Page result when we added in our location, for example, "Town Hall SF" rather than just "Town Hall."

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