KEY POINTS:
Online business directory company apnfinda has linked up with internet giant Google for the launch of the local version of Google's mapping site.
Google Australia and New Zealand executive Carl Sjogreen said a feature of the map is the merger of business data provided by apnfinda with Google's own local search results, mapping and satellite images.
"We're taking the core business information from our partnership with apnfinda and combining it with information that we find on the web," said Sjogreen.
He said when Google launches a country-specific map site, it will partner with local information providers.
"We have this set of features which we tend to roll-out as we get them ready. But when we get the full package - and the crown jewel of that is local search - we launch a domain for the local market," said Sjogreen.
Apnfinda's founder and director Shane Bradley described the relationship with Google as a "data share" - providing Google with its 225,000 business listings in exchange for links back to the finda.co.nz website.
"From there any updates we send through to Google will show on these maps," said Bradley. "So for us it's about getting our business out to as many people as possible."
Apnfinda is a joint venture between Herald publisher APN and finda.co.nz, the company Bradley formed three years ago.
Bradley said the apnfinda website aims to overtake Yellow Pages online site by the end of the first quarter next year for unique visitors.
Also launched yesterday was a Google maps product that could be loaded onto a mobile phone, telling the user where they were as well as offering a map.
maps.google.co.nz
www.finda.co.nz
