Google delves into content creation

Search engine giant Google has snapped up rating company Zagat for an estimated $125 million, reports Business Insider.

According to analysts, the acquisition gives Google a lead in the online review services market, as well as an entryway to local e-commerce.

Computer World indicates Google's acquisition of Zagat, a source of restaurant, hotel and destination reviews, shows Google is serious about creating and maintaining original content in a way it has not done before.

The deal means Google is no longer just aggregating content from other Web sites, but is rather collecting data and then making a judgement call based on the input it receives.

This information could help Google become the uncontested go-to place online for local information. It also places Google in competition with Yelp, Facebook Place Pages, OpenTable, and even Groupon and Living Social.

Google says it plans to integrate Zagat's online reviews into its Google Maps service and its basic search results, states Fosters.com.