Google on Thursday announced that it has acquired Zagat, a rating service which is expected to become a cornerstone of the search giant's local offering.
Zagat will give Google "a world-class team that has more experience in consumer-based surveys, recommendations and reviews than anyone else in the industry," Marissa Mayer, Google's VP of Local, Maps and Location Services, made the announcement in the company's official blog.
Terms of the deal weren't disclosed. In 2009, Google is reported to offer more than 500 million U.S. dollars to review and local search site Yelp for an acquisition, which the latter rejected.
Founded by Tim and Nina Zagat in 1979, Zagat currently operates in 13 categories and more than 100 cities with its rating system, guiding consumers to choose services like restaurants, airlines, hotels and theaters. The guides are sold in book form, mobile apps and online paid subscription.
In a letter on Zagat's site, Tim and Nina Zagat said they will remain active in the business as co-Chairs and believe the acquisition is the right next step for their employees, users as well as business.
Google has been trying to beef up its local business. After launching Google Offers in a few cities earlier this year, the company acquired The Dealmap last month, which aggregates local deals and displays them on a map.
