Google Gobbles Up Zagat

Zagat, the 32-year-old restaurant review company, has been acquired by Google, both companies announced today.

"Moving forward, Zagat will be a cornerstone of our local offering—delighting people with their impressive array of reviews, ratings and insights, while enabling people everywhere to find extraordinary (and ordinary) experiences around the corner and around the world," said Marissa Mayer, Google's vice president of Local, Maps and Location Services, on the official Google Blog.

According to , the experience of the subscription-based Zagat user will be enhanced by the Mountain View-based Internet giant's search and mapping products. This merger could solidify the footing of both companies against other online food-rating companies like the free-to-use Yelp.

While in 2008, Tim and Nina Zagat—the husband and wife team of the New York-based company—had flirted with the idea of selling for close to $200 million, they have now embraced the idea that in order to grow, they needed help.

"The merger of our resources, expertise and platforms with those of Google will give us the opportunity to greatly expand," Tim said in a letter on the site. The pair will remain on board as co-chairs. "We have spent enough time with Google senior management to know that they fully share our belief in user-generated content and our commitment to accuracy and fairness in providing consumers with the information necessary to make smart decisions about where to eat, travel and shop."

Zagat provides reviews in 13 categories—over the years it expanded to include doctors, shopping and nightlife—in more than 100 cities.

Google has also recently and the online coupon arena with , now being tested in New York City, San Francisco, Oakland/East Bay and Portland, OR.