Hotel rates service tested for Google Maps

Internet giant Google has begun testing a service that allows Google Maps users to search for hotels and price listings for subscribed establishments.

Many are speculating that the move indicates Google may be about to increase the revenue generation potential of local business search facilities.

Users will be able to enter dates for their intended stay and will receive pricings of the hotels in the vicinity of their destination.

Google product manager Andrew Silverman spoke to Computer Weekly and claimed the feature would not change the way that hotels were ranked.

"Google Maps ranks business listings based on their relevance to the search terms entered, along with geographic distance and other factors, regardless of whether there is an associated price," said Silverman.

The trial involves a limited number of advertisers and end users.

"We will evaluate the usefulness and effectiveness of this new feature based on both data and feedback, and hope to make it available to more users over time," Silverman added.