Google Offers

So when Google entered the Daily Deal market, I thought oh man the other players better watch out.  However, Google Offers never really took off and I always wondered why they didn't really push it as much as I thought they would (given the fact that they have tremendous information and data on what people want and are looking for - who else could better optimize the deals they push)!  But I guess they realized that Groupon and Living Social have such a large footprint that they wanted to find a way to differentiate themselves - and with recent announcement of Google Offers being integrated into Google Maps, I believe they have done just that.  When you search for something on google maps, you will now see all deals in the area - and it will usually be something that can be available on demand.  They are targeting ancillary business to add on to where you are going and for people who want something right away - not a spa that needs to be booked months in advance to get the discounted deal.  I know this first hand because I work at Icon Parking and we are offering 20% off parking on Google Offers - so when people look on the map to find where they are going, they will see 20% off parking at Icon locations right nearby hopefully leading them to park there.  A code is generated when someone downloads the offer and it is valid for a limited time (maybe 48 hrs in some cases).  So it is almost like Groupon and Living Social Now which both seemed to have failed but integrating into Google Maps which almost everyone uses is absolutely brilliant and potentially a way to succeed at the "Deals right now" business.