Google has recently added a new feature to its trip planning tools. This feature provides travel advisories that are related to the COVID-19 pandemic. While these tools may be specific to the current event, now that they are in place, Google could make use of them to provide advice and alerts for other dangers in the future. In addition to these new tools, they have also revamped the Explore section and added support for road trips to Google Maps. What does this mean for your business? Local SEO services are already learning how to make use of these new features to grow businesses.
Travel Advisory Information
This new tool comes into play when someone searches Google for hotels, flights, and other queries that are related to travel. Google now includes travel restriction information for the queried destination. This includes whether or not travelers will need to show proof that they have had a COVID-19 vaccination or have had a negative test within a specific amount of time plus any relevant quarantine information.
If the user has a Google account and is signed in, they will also get the option to receive email updates to these restrictions. If restrictions are added, reduced, or lifted entirely, they will be notified by email. For travel within the U.S., these email alerts will be state-specific, while travel outside the U.S. will only include information related to the country as a whole. This means any specific local guidelines may not be included for foreign travel. If your business is affected by any of these guidelines, a local SEO company can help you add that information to your website, social media, and other sites to make certain customers know what is required.
The New Explore Section
Google has also redone the Explore Section within their travel area to display more destinations such as national parks, a filter by interest option, and Travel Mode, which will only display cities that have airports. When a destination is selected, any travel advisories for that area will be displayed.
Road Trips
Finally, Google Maps for desktop users will now show information related to road trip planning. Users select their starting point and end point, then can select from various points of interest and other information to create their trip’s itinerary.
How Can Businesses Leverage These Changes?
While a number of businesses, including many retail and service companies, may not necessarily be able to make use of these changes, others can. Those in the travel and hospitality industries, in particular, will find that being able to point customers to these tools can be helpful. You may even be able to link to or fully integrate some of these tools into your own website. Working with a search engine optimization company such as MacRAE’S will help you make the best out of what Google has to offer.
