Google Maps pricing community notes

Normally when I book hotels these days, I do it through software managed by work. However, certain life events transpired recently that led me to book a hotel at the last minute. When you use Google Maps to search for hotels, they have this neat little badge that shows you a price for the current night. It makes it much easier to quickly browse and determine what hotels do or do not make sense based on your budget.

Then you try to book and often come to a very fun realization: it actually costs way more than the price Google showed you before you tapped into the details.

I saw a great-looking hotel recently, and then when I went to book the cost was nearly double what Google said. I’d almost rather have no pricing info than the wrong info. However, a good workaround would be to allow customers to add pricing context. Think community notes but for Google Maps prices.

Another way to do this would be to publicly show the associated transaction values with a hotel. However, some people might not want this information being published even if it was anonymized.

I think community notes for the finance industry in general could be wildly helpful if done correctly, but doubtful due to the fact that it is at times diametrically opposed to the needs of the business.

Have a friend who’s been taken for a ride by Google’s pricing before? Send them this newsletter.

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