Google Buys Zagat; Price Not Disclosed

Search engine Google Inc. is buying Zagat Survey LLC, the widely used 32-year-old restaurant guide, for an undisclosed amount.

Zagat will be a cornerstone of our local offering-delighting people with their impressive array of reviews, ratings and insights, while enabling people everywhere to find extraordinary (and ordinary) experiences around the corner and around the world, Marissa Mayer, Google's vice president-Local, Maps and Location Service, blogged Thursday.

Mayer, whose department will integrate Zagat data with Google's mapping capabilities, said Zagat has established a trusted and well-loved brand the world over, operating in 13 categories and more than 100 cities.

Nina and Tim Zagat expressed confidence in Google's future stewardship of their enterprise.

We know they share our belief in user-generated content and our commitment to accuracy and fairness in providing users with the information needed to make smart decisions about where to eat, shop and travel, Nina and Tim Zagat said in a statement.

Shares of Google rose $2.17 to $536.20 in midday trading.