Tech giant Google has launched a new initiative in time for Pride Month which will allow users the opportunity to see if a business that they’re looking up on Search or Maps is owned by a member of the LGBTQI+ community.
This is the latest in a long list of initiatives by the company to show their support towards the diverse communities, as they had previously launched a similar function for establishments owned by black or Latino people, war veterans or women.
The owners of the business will now have the ability to go on their professional Google profile and add the new “Identifies as LGBTQI+ owned” label to it, helping people find queer locations in their area.
A few years earlier (2018) the tech giant had also launched a way for companies to show they’re LGBTQI+ friendly and safe places for people of those communities. Google have also pointed out that they won’t put up with any type of intolerance or harassment, having their teams keeping a watchful eye on all comments and user interactions, like anonymous reviews. They have already laid out their plans in regards to the mass-negative reviews of queer locations on Google Maps.
It should be pointed out that this feature is only available in the US, with the company not having announced any plans just yet to launch it to any other areas to the world. Nonetheless, it is a great move for all neglected communities across the world to make them feel a bit more included.
Yelp had also made a similar move last year, giving businesses the chance to add the LGBTQI+ label.
