So how do Google and your local gas station have anything to do with the future of local search?  Well read on and you’ll understand what is about to happen and what is likely to be coming soon.  In the “olden times” if you got lost you could stop at the local gas station and ask for directions to the destination you were trying to get to.  Now there is GPS, but soon you’ll have another option.  According to an article in the LA times, beginning in December you’ll be able to fill up your gas tank while you get directions to a hotel, restaurant, or other business right from the gas pump.  You’ll be able to print out the directions and off you’ll go with a full tank of gas and turn by turn directions to your destination.  Even better, you’ll probably be given the option to print out a coupon to a participating business that matches the type of business you’re looking for.

Everyone is a winner with a system like this.  Gas stations can use it to build loyalty and add an additional revenue source by splitting the revenue generated from each coupon printed with Google, local businesses can attract more business by offering coupons at the gas stations, and Google will begin to build yet another revenue source.  There aren’t any details yet as to whether Google plans to actually employ this model, but it does make sense for all parties involved.

This is just the beginning to how I believe Google will transform the mapping and local advertising world.  In the coming years you’ll most likely be able to have Google maps in your car and on your mobile device.  Google will be able to alert you regarding sales that you may be interested in at local businesses that you’re driving or walking by based on your personal habits.  Or if you don’t want offers being pushed out to you, you could simply enter into your mobile device what you’re looking for and you’d be presented with the local matches along with discount coupons for the participating businesses.  Instead of a cost-per-click (CPC) model it would be a pay-per-coupon redeemed model.  It wouldn’t be a “coupon” as we know it today, but a discount that would automatically be applied as you scan your mobile device that contains your credit card information at the checkout.  Now that would be an attractive option for local businesses and consumers…and oh yeah Google as well.

In the not too distant future you may even be able to search for a specific product on your mobile device and results will appear on a Google map that lists the locations, price, and quantity in stock for the product based on the product RFIDs from each store in the local area that have been linked to Google and are then sent to you in real time.  Now how great would that be for all of you Christmas shoppers out searching for this years hottest present?  That, however, leads into a whole new realm of possibilities that will have to be left for another time.  But until then look for Google maps at a gas station near you in early December.

Filed under: Off Topic on Thursday, November 8th, 2007 by Nate Linnell | No Comments
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