Maps Yahoo Offer Better Traffic Information

The maps Yahoo offers have changed over the years. The look has gone from a MapQuest Maps look, with many data entry windows to more of a Google Maps layout, with the large, interactive map featured to the right and a few search boxes to the left.

Some people want to stick with the familiar MapQuest layout, quickly typing in addresses to receive information. However, others prefer the drag-and-drop or satellite maps of Yahoo. Currently, Yahoo is the third-leading provider of online maps, just barely trailing Google and MapQuest. Yet proponents of the site are fierce supporters of Yahoo, stating that the traffic and business information cannot be surpassed.

You may be thinking, "Well Google has business listings too. Why should I look at the maps Yahoo makes for local information?" One distinction you will notice is that most of the real estate on Yahoo is dedicated to business listings, with only a small map. So if you are looking for local directories of businesses, then Yahoo would probably be best, whereas driving directions are more prominent on the maps Google offers.

You will also notice that Yahoo Local has more paid ads, which account for the top three listings, as well as a few listings on the bottom of the page. User reviews are provided for each local listing, with a 1 to 5 star rating format to help you choose the best local business to suit your needs.

One current problem is that Yahoo sometimes returns non-relevant listings. For instance, if you type "dog bathing service," you will also get paid listings from animal hospitals, pet food stores and dog walking services. In that respect, Google may give you more targeted listings.

As of 2009, some new features have been added to Maps Yahoo. Initially, there were only driving directions for the US and Canada, but now they have added more than 34 European countries to their database as well. You will notice their look is a little different too; fashioned like a Google Maps, rather than a MapQuest map.

You can now select different terrain overlays, construction overlays and building footprints for major cities like NY and San Francisco. Users can search multi-destination directions, enter one box address entry and an interactive print page for easier functionality.

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