Google Places brings Store Views to Streetview

Google [GOOG] announced yesterday that Google Places is now being rolled out with pilot projects starting across select cities around the world.

Google Places is a service that shows web users the inside of shops and not just the front of the shop. It works similar to street view in that you can zoom right in to the store front and then click to see pictures in the store as described below…

When customers are searching for the right local business, the setting, facilities, ambiance, merchandise, layout, or decor can be important factors in choosing where to go. If you want to find the perfect romantic restaurant for your anniversary dinner, you’ll want to find a place that has the right atmosphere. Or if you need to find a new gym, you’ll probably want to see what sort of equipment and amenities they offer. Place Pages currently feature images from business owners and third-party sources, but we wanted to supplement those with additional photos taken by Google photographers to provide consumers with more ways to get a sense of what awaits them when they step through the door of a business.

There are two ways that photos of shops can get in to Google Places. The first is via Google photographers who will visit your location and the second gives you the option of submitting your own shop pictures.

To log your interest, or upload your own pictures to Google Places you can visit the site here.

Via: Google

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