This Wednesday Google (News - Alert) made a change to its Google+ social network in hopes that their new local search feature will grow in popularity and usage. Their plan? Add Zagat restaurant reviews to make Google’s local search a competitive choice against services like Yelp, which provides similar information.

The new tab labeled “Local” can be found on Google+ and allows users to search for specific places based on their current location, or to browse for nearby businesses and services. Restaurants make up a big part of such businesses and user searches, and Google wants to capitalize on that knowledge.

Once a restaurant is clicked, the local feature will open up that restaurant’s Google+ page, which can include photos of the eatery, Zagat reviews and scores, reviews from friends who have been to the restaurant, and other standard information such as contact information, directions or opening hours.

Google’s Avni Shah released a blog post about the feature, saying “It’s integrated into Search, Maps and mobile and available as a new tab in Google+, creating one simple experience across Google.”

The inclusion of Zagat into this seamless experience across Google makes sense, as the Internet giant bought the popular review operation last year for a reported $125 million. The idea behind the purchase was to use Zagat to combat services like Yelp (News - Alert) and OpenTable, which also offer reviews. Now a year later the plan appears to be set in motion. Yelp compounded on its popularity this year by going public, at an initial $15 offering price.

Zagat reviews have traditionally been made available only by paid subscriptions, but the transfer to Google allows the content to be offered for free.

“We’re excited to announce today that our content is now free on Zagat.com and a cornerstone of the new Google+ Local experience,” said the site’s creators, Nina and Tim Zagat, in a statement. They are happy with the transfer, and added “Now, the world’s highest quality reviews are available to more people, whether they are at their desks or on the go.”

Google + Local replaces and improves on “Google Places,” as it offers much more options and is simpler to use. Analyst Greg Sterling said “These are major changes that Google is making in the fabric of Local – for both consumers and marketers. They will enhance the consumer experience with a relatively small adjustment and learning curve. People will be able to go on using Google as they have but get the benefit of the richer pages and Zagat ratings.”

The only downside to Google+ Local is it might be limited on Apple’s (News - Alert) iPhones. This would only occur if Apple goes through with plans to replace Google Maps in June with its own maps service.

Sterling notes this doesn’t pose too much a disadvantage to iPhone (News - Alert) users, however, because “Apple users will be able to access this Google+ Local experience through the Google Places app and the Google+ app on the iPhone.” So regardless of how Apple’s mapping service turns out, Google+ Local will have Zagat reviews available to all, as long as iPhone users are inclined to buy the app.