Google Tests Groupon-Like Service Called Google Offers

Google is testing a service similar to local-deals site Groupon called Google Offers and launched a marketing campaign on Thursday targeting Portland, Oregon. A Google spokesperson said the service would launch first in Portland, and said sign-ups are currently available in a few other cities, including New York and San Francisco. "Offers is part of an ongoing effort at Google to make new services that give consumers great deals while helping connect businesses with customers in new ways."

The Google Offers beta page for Portland says, "Google Offers BETA is coming soon to Portland. Get 50% off or more at places you'll love." It also features a tab showcasing local Portland businesses, drawn from Google Places - which makes sense, since Google has existing relationships with local businesses through the popular feature that displays local businesses on Google Maps. It's free for businesses to add their listing to Google Places, and Google offers them locally-targeted advertising through Google Boost.

Google Offers also features a tab called business owners, who can sign up on this page.

You can read more about the local-deals business model in this article by AuctionBytes Contributing Editor Greg Holden who interviewed Groupon founder Andrew Mason a year ago.