Google Offers is about to launch, according to various sources.
Combined with Google Maps and Google Places, this integration could be something we could really use! Could google tap into the best integration opportunity in the crowd sourcing shopping space?

A Google Offer is a daily deal that enables subscribers to pre-purchase products and services at an attractive discount.

Glad to see Google step it up. Places/Maps integration . huge!

more info:

Fact Sheet | Google Offers
Grow Your Business with Google O!ers
What Is Google Offers?
Google Offers is a new product to help potential customers and clientele find great deals in their area through a daily email. For businesses, it’s a smart and easy way to find new, high-value customers and bring them right to you.

Why Google Offers?
With our prepaid model, there are no out-of-pocket expenses to spread the word about your business to the millions of Google users and subscribers in your local area. You only pay when a customer buys your offer. Here are other benefits:

Get in front of more potential customers in your city

Bring in both new and valuable customers with great deals

Exposure across Google ad networks at no additional cost

Manage your o!er easily with tools to track and measure your ROI

Get paid quickly with no out-of-pocket expense for your business
Key Benefits:

A Google Offer is a daily deal that enables subscribers to pre-purchase products and services from local businesses at attractive discounts.

Here’s How Google Offers Works:
Step 1:
Create Your Offer
To get started, you’ll identify an item or service that you want to promote and discount in order to attract new customers, including any limits on quantity. We can work with you to come up with an enticing deal. An example would be: $25 for $50 for products or services at your business.

Step 2:
Market Your Offer
Our writing team will craft a compelling write-up for your o!er, approved by you, and couple it with an engaging image in order to best represent your business or the services you provide. We’ll also figure out the best time to run your deal.

Step 3:
Run Your Offer
Your deal will be sent to local subscribers, advertised across Google ad networks, and showcased on the Google Offers site. An o!er helps entice new customers to try your business—but even if they don’t purchase an offer that day, they’ll still be exposed to your brand and business. Customers who do select your o!er will pay for it in advance. There are no out-of-pocket costs for you.

Step 4:
Collect Your Money
After your o!er goes live, we’ll simply deduct our fee from the deal revenue and you’ll get cash in your pocket from the o!er approximately three business days after the offer runs.

Step 5:
Serve Your Customers
Soon after your o!er runs, customers will arrive with o!er in-hand. Customers will either bring a printed copy or show a mobile version of the purchased offer, which includes the barcode or redemption ID. You can simply scan the barcodes or enter the IDs into the tools we provide to easily track your new business.

We’ll help you throughout the entire process to make sure you look your best to your new customers.