It’s the holiday season, the big dinners season, and the shop-till-you-drop season. And during this season, there’s only one thing everyone’s doing: going out and having fun. Even before you leave your house you know where ever you’re going will be packed with like-minded shoppers and holiday mongers.
What if you could know how badly a place is crowded, even before you get there?
Well, Google has the solution.
Last year, Google announced Popular Times in Search and Maps. That wasn’t too helpful, you might think. And you’re right. With Popular Times, you’ve only been able to check the busiest times of a certain place in a week.
Now, however, just in time for the festival season and the Black Friday rush, Google has launched a real-time feature to Popular Times. So now, you can weigh your options, and know where to go, even before you go.
“Whether you’re rushing to pick up a last minute gift or seeking a lively bar for some festive spirit, check Popular Times for a sneak preview of what to expect when you arrive.”
Says Product Manager, Jamie Aspinall in a blog post.
How it works
- Search for a place on Google Maps.
- Below the reviews, under the Popular Times section, you’ll see a red Live button.
- This button will have the “busy” or “not busy” label next to it.
So the next time you’re taking someone out for dinner, you’ll know beforehand that you might have to wait a while for your table. And it doesn’t have to be a disaster. You could just take a detour, grab some pre-dinner yogurt–at a non-busy place–and come back for your table right on time. Don’t wait, don’t sweat. Just impress.
