Google Maps now gives you detailed ads for local stores

Google Maps already shows a wealth of info about nearby stores when you're searching for them, but ads haven't received that first-class treatment. Like it or not, that's changing; Maps on mobile and the web now shows you a whole raft of details for relevant store ads, including links to call those shops. The move is likely to prove a mixed blessing. While it will help you learn more about interesting ads and might just lead to discovering a nice restaurant, it could also downplay the importance of the actual search results -- not good if you're just trying to reach an eatery before it shuts down for the night. The odds are that the richer promotions won't hamper your day-to-day navigation in a significant way, but you'll want to keep an eye out for that yellow "ad" icon the next time you're tracking down some sushi.