Google Maps has updated its features and is introducing its own news feed. Although it is called “Community Feed” as it includes local posts, it is also a vertically scrollable feed. It has added the option of “like” with a small “thumbs up” icon.

Google Maps’ had an updates tab that included a feed with posts from businesses, news, stories and recommendations to encourage discovery. The Explore Tab had thematic groupings such as outdoor dining, bars etc., at the top of the screen. This helps browsers check other lists as well as view photos.

 With the update, although the business’ groups by category will feature at the top of the screen, the rest will be a scrollable feed. This may lead to TikTok type of feeds in future.

 Although it is currently a standard feed, as you scroll, you can “like” or “follow” businesses and get alerts from them. There’s no comments tab like Facebook. Google hopes that this change will increase app usage. It can also be used while traveling or researching other locations as what you see is not based on your current location but is based on the location you are browsing on the map.

 These updates make it more of a Facebook rival. By adding “follow” to businesses like Facebook and giving the option to message them directly like Messenger, Google will give Facebook competition as businesses can set profiles on Google Maps with logos, cover photos and other details, similar to a Facebook Page.

 Google has said that this feature has been launched worldwide on Android and iOS

 Source TechCrunch