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Post by licat on Feb 24, 2012 15:04:47 GMT -5
I've observed that the Booyah business search engine is a bit quirky:
1. There are multiples of the same exact business but shown with somewhat different names, cost, and popularity; the higher the purchase/franchise price, the higher the popularity; and each can be purchased as a stand alone business. One example is Swensen's Ice Cream in San Francisco: The search engine shows a. Swensen's, b. Swensen's Ice Cream, c. Swensens Ice Cream. For this reason one must be very careful to choose the correct business when buying or franchising. One could potentially choose the low popularity business instead of the better/best one.
2. Searching by name is specific. You may have to alter the spelling and/or punctuation. If you search in a way that isn't the same as the engine has stored the information in its database, you probably will not find it.
3. Finding a business in Business Search but not in Check-in, or vice versa.
4. Finding a business in an international town but unable to find it by name using the Business Search. (Only applicable from the perspective if your secondary location is an international location.)
5. Incorrect business type assigned.
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Post by Solsville on Feb 27, 2012 16:23:37 GMT -5
This was a bit of a problem in the original MyTown. They switched from MapQuest's map engine to Google's map engine and there were similar results. I'm not 100%, but maybe if they are using both or a combination of the two engines the results are varying. Or they may even be using an older version of Google maps?
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Post by K8y9 on Mar 7, 2012 5:24:24 GMT -5
I really dont know if this question has already been raised before, but im just really puzzled, here goes - Is there a way to add a business name (example: my workplace name, other popular businesses that are not listed) so that i'll be able to search it in the 'business search' in 'near your current location' and purchase it for my town? Looking forward for a great response Thank you!
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Post by Solsville on Mar 7, 2012 12:32:47 GMT -5
Obviously, first make sure your locations services are turned on.
Then try searching for the business name in the "CHECK-IN" screen. If it shows up there, you should be able to find and purchase it in the "Business Search" screen.
If it doesn't show up there, even after trying different forms of the business name, then it's probably not in Booyah's database of businesses.
The only way to possibly get it would be to send a request to Booyah to add it to their database. Not sure the likelihood of that would be, with all the other issues they are dealing with.
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Post by embodzilla on Mar 7, 2012 13:48:41 GMT -5
Which brings me to a follow up question... How does Booyah decide what businesses to add to their database? Just curious.
Funny story, I was watching Diners, Drive Ins and Dives the other night --- Guy Fieri visited a place in Topeka, Kansas called Bobo's Diner, or something along those lines. For kicks and grins, I looked it up on My Town. It was there to buy. Kudos to Booyah.
I digress. Wonder what these businesses get from Booyah besides free advertising? Does Booyah have to obtain consent before putting their business in their database?
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Post by Solsville on Mar 7, 2012 14:52:21 GMT -5
Not 100% for Mytown2. But, I know for a fact that they used MapQuest and then switched to Google Maps in the original MyTown. I think they are using Google for MyTown2.
Since, they would license the maps database from a 3rd party they probably don't have to give anything to the businesses, and I'm pretty sure they businesses wouldn't mind anyway, because it's free advertising.
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Post by sharazani on Mar 7, 2012 16:00:47 GMT -5
Booyah does not get consent nor do they pay for anything. I know this because my family's business is in the my town 2 list, Yes I have it on my town because well, its family and Im proud of it I will never let it go > I think booyah just collected info from the google searches or mapquest or even yellow pages for the listings. Sharazani. Which brings me to a follow up question... How does Booyah decide what businesses to add to their database? Just curious. Funny story, I was watching Diners, Drive Ins and Dives the other night --- Guy Fieri visited a place in Topeka, Kansas called Bobo's Diner, or something along those lines. For kicks and grins, I looked it up on My Town. It was there to buy. Kudos to Booyah. I digress. Wonder what these businesses get from Booyah besides free advertising? Does Booyah have to obtain consent before putting their business in their database?
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Post by embodzilla on Mar 7, 2012 18:11:54 GMT -5
Interesting. Thanks to both of you. And Sharazani, I'll be checking out your town tonight to see if I can guess the business.
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Post by K8y9 on Mar 8, 2012 1:33:09 GMT -5
Obviously, first make sure your locations services are turned on. Then try searching for the business name in the "CHECK-IN" screen. If it shows up there, you should be able to find and purchase it in the "Business Search" screen. If it doesn't show up there, even after trying different forms of the business name, then it's probably not in Booyah's database of businesses. The only way to possibly get it would be to send a request to Booyah to add it to their database. Not sure the likelihood of that would be, with all the other issues they are dealing with. Thanks much Solsville! My location services is always turned on. Yes, i tried typing several keywords to locate the business im looking for in the business search field, but i think its really not there. I think its not in the Booyah's dabase of businesses, thus i also tried requesting to Booyah already to add the business name in their list (as establishment im looking for can be found in both google maps, and the likes) but i guess it will take them time to address my request) i just hope to see my workplace in my own town, but if its too much to ask.... I wont insist then
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Post by cmeister23 on Mar 8, 2012 22:00:01 GMT -5
I had a hard time finding my business when I first started playing. I was sitting right in it and it still wouldn't show up under nearby businesses. I did see it in the check-ins though and eventually got it to come up by searching the first word of the name. Based on the way the business name came up in MT2 makes me believe they use Yahoo for their listings. Only Yahoo has it listed exactly as it comes up in the game. I was glad to find it and since the popularity was 0 it was pretty cheap to buy. It's now up over 800 I guess due to all my check-ins. Maybe check Yahoo to see if and how it is listed.
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