Google announced the launch of a new Google+ Local feature in a Google+ post last night. Now, when you upload a picture of a place or of food you ordered at a restaurant, you can easily share it with friends, using the Google+ Circles (or public) functionality.

Here’s what Google had to say about it:

Google+12 hours ago

When you upload pics of your favorite spots and dishes (you know who you are!) on Google+ Local, you might want to make sure your friends see them too. 

Starting today, it’s easier than ever to make it so. After you upload your photos to a restaurant’s local Google+ page, you can also quickly share them with the world – or just the people in your circles – in one easy step.

Try it! Just upload your photos, and click “Publish.” Add a comment, select who you want to share with, and see what people say about your pics! 

#googleplusupdate  

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Google may soon find that it has some new competitive challenges to face when it comes to local search – particularly social local search. Facebook, as you may have heard, revealed its new Graph Search on Tuesday, which will enable users to tap into their social connections to discover local businesses (among other things) based on what their friends like.

Obviously, Facebook has a huge advantage over Google when it comes to friend connections. Google is going to want to encourage this kind of local business-based sharing more than ever, to help keep local business search relevant to users on a social level.