Addresses and Maps for Local Businesses

It looks like Google has rolled out a new feature within their general Web results. When a result is connected with a local business with a known address, a "plus box" will appear next to an address in blue after the snippet extract. Click the plus box to see the map, the address and phone, and a link to a larger map and directions. See Matt Cutts' example and screen shot in his explanatory blog post. It only covers the United States at this point.

As with any such system, this works only when the underlying data is good. Last month, my local public library moved into their brand new building at a new location. Google gives the plus box and map link, but it point to the old address as can be seen in the screen shot below. Many other stores and local organizations with addresses that would seem easy to retrieve do not have the plus box, but look for this program to expand.