Amazon has introduced Amazon Home Services, a product that connects users with local service providers, and puts the retail giant in direct competition with Google's local search products.
Launched yesterday in the US, Amazon Home Services connects consumers with more than two million service providers across 700 verticals. Providers range from plumbers and carpenters to silk aerialists and a goat grazing service - all chosen and invited by Amazon following background checks.
The service also offers reviews from verified customers, a price-matching service and Amazon's Happiness Guarantee as standard.
The launch of Amazon Home Services will be seen as a move to compete directly with Google on the local search front - as well as with online directories such as Yelp.
The unique selling points of Amazon's service are its consumer safeguards - the retailer says it "doesn't just refer customers to providers, but stays with them every step of the way". With customer trust in Amazon already high, the fact that the retailer is going the extra mile to curate providers and protect customers may be all it needs to ensure the success of the product.
Amazon Home Services is currently available in "major US metropolitan areas" such as New York City, San Francisco, Seattle and Los Angeles. Other areas of the US are "coming soon". There's no word as yet on a global launch.
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