Google Maps Coupons Now On The Map

Did you know you can make a coupon for your business through your Google Local Business Center? Not many people are aware of that, because the coupons have been nearly invisible to searchers since they were introduced back in August of 2006. Until now.

I present to you, Exhibit A:

I found this coupon in the wild while doing a search for “wedding photography Pittsburgh“. If you scroll over the coupon, it expands to show you more detail:

This little addition could have tremendous impact for local businesses. Just look how much the listing with the coupon stands out; the bright yellow definitely catches your eye. Of course, it’s only a matter of time until everyone jumps on this bandwagon, so it remains to be seen how Google will show the coupons when every listing has them. I can’t imagine them showing the same yellow coupon next to each listing – that would be cluttered and hard on the eyes.

Here are a couple more searches that I found interesting:

This is a search for “hotels Pittsburgh“. Notice how the listing in the top right stands out? It’s ranking at the #9 position (letter I), and it would be interesting to know if it would rank at all on the first page without the coupon.

Hey Pittsburgh attorneys, how would you like to get a few more phone calls from your Google Maps listing?:

That’s right, not a single coupon… yet.

Here’s another one, this Pittsburgh plumber has the idea:

All those dots, and he’s the only one with a bright yellow coupon.

And finally, a bit of a surprise. Usually locksmiths are all over this kind of thing, but that doesn’t seem to be the case (at least not in Pittsburgh – I’m busy right now doing a much more thorough search of cities and categories).

How long do you think it will take until more businesses start utilizing these coupons?