MySpace local business directories
Jinfo Blog

14th April 2009

By Diana Nutting

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According to Information Week, http://www.informationweek.com MySpace http://www.myspace.com is going local with small-business directories featuring user-generated content. Still in private beta MySpace has joined CitySearch http://www.citysearch.com , (which is similar to the UK’s Up My Street http://www.upmystreet.com/) to use MySpace users to write reviews, provide ratings, and share content about small businesses in their area, who would advertise on the site. The concept is based upon the idea that the best way to spread the word about goods is through word of mouth, and MySpace sees this as the 21st century version. MySpace Local will tap into Citysearch's database of major cities throughout the United States and provide listings on three categories right away: restaurants, bars, and nightlife. It’s not clear to me what value could be added that’s not already available on restaurant review sites, unless the coverage is broadened to include all kinds of businesses, providing a complete picture of a locality. MySpace claims that what it calls this social marketplace will transform the way small businesses find new customers. Public beta is expected next month and there are plans to extend the service internationally

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