Google Plus Local gets your practice found, rated and shared

Google Places is out. The search engine giant announced Wednesday that it has updated its local search platform with Google Plus Local, which will interface with Zagat, in efforts to encourage interaction on their social network Google+.

Google+ has become a requirement for business owners who want some control on how his or her company appears on the most popular online map in the world, Google Maps. And this fact just got more true with the launch of Google Plus Local. Google converted all of its previous online location listings from millions of businesses, called Google Places, into Google Plus Local pages. The announcement of the change reached business owners through a post on its "Google and Your Business Blog."

“With one listing, your business can now be found across Google search, maps, mobile and Google+, and your customers can easily recommend your business to their friends, or tell the world about it with a review,” wrote Jen Fitzpatrick, a VP of engineering at Google.

According to Jim Du Molin, President of Internet Dental Alliance, it's important to create a dental practice brand page on Google+ and become an active user.

"Begin asking your dental patients if they are on Google+ and consider offering some incentives for patients who add your practice to their circles," Du Molin is quoted saying in a blog post on his website.

Watch the video to learn how to create a Google+ page for your practice: