Google Acquires Zagat (the Universe Next?)

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You know times are changing when Google envelops something that has its history in print. And today, it acquired Zagat—a coup for the publisher that launched in 1979, truly the O.G. of user-generated reviews (sorry, Yelp).


Marissa Mayer, the glamor-shot of Google and its VP of local, maps and location services, announced today in the official Google blog: "So, today, I'm thrilled that Google has acquired Zagat. Moving forward, Zagat will be a cornerstone of our local offering—delighting people with their impressive array of reviews, ratings and insights, while enabling people everywhere to find extraordinary (and ordinary) experiences around the corner and around the world."

Though Zagat has an app and an online presence now, I imagine Google will boost its ability to get out the word on restaurants with immediacy (after all information is Google's middle name). Ironically, Mayer ends her blog by saying—"BTW, Kaygetsu, the place in Menlo Park, definitely lives up to its 27 food rating!"—proof that print reviews can't keep up with the swiftly tilting planet of restaurants which come and go with little warning. Kaygetsu—considered to be one of the Bay Area's finest Japanese restaurants—just announced the other day that it was closing its doors. I'd love to think that maybe Mayer's big announcement will give Kaygetsu a second chance to step back out of retirement.

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