New Property Search in Google Maps

Google Maps have rolled out a new and improved search function for property. The new functionality went live in Australia and the US yesterday, but will display UK properties if you search accordingly via the introductory page here (try "Epsom" if your location has a namesake elsewhere).

The fact that it is all labelled "Real Estate" is one indication that Google is not quite ready for the UK property market yet, but it won't take them long if it proves successful (i.e; generates PPC revenue) Down Under and Stateside.

Google have dabbled with property listings since introducing Google Base in 2006. With next generation portals like Globrix having proved the concept of generating traffic and in turn revenue from property search and agents websites now geared to providing direct links to listings, it is actually quite surprising that they hadn't upped their game in this area before now.

However, despite the familiarity of the Google Maps interface, the user experience and functionality of the new property search is actually quite inferior to what others have done to provide map based search facilities. Thinkproperty and Nestoria still set the benchmark in this area and despite Google's inclusion of Streetview with results, it lacks their usual 'wow' factor.

This may be of little consequence if Google's index of properties proves to be vast enough and tidy enough. To have every listing (the golden chalice of portaldom) is probably quite achievable for Google and the look and feel often plays second fiddle to depth of content in the world of classified listings (think Craigslist and Gumtree).

The UK portals will undoubtedly watch Google's development in this area pensively. It has just as much potential to help as to hurt them. For agents, it is yet another reason to improve your listings on your own site.