Canpages acquires GigPark, moves into social space

Vancouver-based Canpages, an online recommendation and local search engine that aims to out do both the traditional Yellow Pages and yellowpages.com, has added another weapon to their arsenal with the acquisition of GigPark, an online social media platform. GigPark allows users to make specific recommendations about local businesses and service providers to their friends. For Canpages, adding GigPark’s functionality to their own growing platform was an obvious choice.

"Online recommendations, especially those from a user's social networks, are increasingly important when choosing which local businesses to buy from," said Olivier Vincent, President and CEO of Canpages. "With the acquisition of the GigPark, we are thrilled to be the first local search and directories publisher in North America to embrace social recommendations in a relevant way."

Canpages already uses its own Immersifind system to push its content to 15 different directory publishers throughout the world, and GigPark’s tech will be integrated into the platform. 

This isn’t the first time Canpages has used innovation and maneuverability to beat a big contender. Last year the company rolled out Streetscene, a feature similar to Google Street View. Google is scheduled to launch Stree View in Canada sometime this fall, but Canpages already has Vancouver and Whistler mapped out in photo form, and is racing to complete Toronto before Google rolls out its service.