Google adds Q&A to search and Google Maps on Android
Android users now have a new "Question & answers" option in both Google Maps and search. This is not a general Q&A feature along the lines of Yahoo Answers, but a way to ask questions about businesses.
This appears to be Google's attempt to draw people away from the likes of Facebook when they want to ask questions about hotels, restaurants and other places they may visit. Business owners are able to respond to questions -- as are users -- and they are encouraged to create FAQs to prevent the same queries being posted time and time again.
In some ways, the new Q&A feature is an extension of the contributions that mobile users are already encouraged to make to Google Maps, and the fact that notifications are sent out when answers are posted means that it's genuinely useful. To add something of a social element, and to ensure that correct information floats to the top, users are able to upvote answers that are deemed particularly useful.
To ask or answer a question -- or read the existing questions and answers about a place -- simply search for the location on Google Maps or Search and open the local business listing. Then scroll down to the "Question & answers" section where you can add a question, answer someone else’s question, or upvote informative ones by tapping the thumbs up icon. Upvoted questions and answers will appear toward the top of the section so that the most helpful content is most accessible.
The company goes on to say that accuracy is key, and information will come from various sources to ensure its veracity:
To make sure "Questions & answers" contains the most accurate and useful local info possible, business owners can add frequently asked questions and answers as well. In addition, when you ask a question about a place, we notify the business owner and other in-the-know users to see if they have knowledgeable answers to contribute. When your question is answered, we notify you too.
The Q&A feature is rolling out worldwide to the Android versions of Google Maps and Search.
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