Google+ gets updated with new “Local reviews” tab, larger cover photos and a redesigned About tab [Updated]

Google has just announced a number of updates to Google+ in the browser, including the addition of a new “Local reviews” tab, a sleeker and easier to edit About tab and larger cover photos.

Google says the new Local reviews tab will sit alongside “your photos, +1’s and YouTube videos,” and will allow users to highlight their favorite restaurants. This is an interesting move on Google’s part, even if the tab can easily be hidden, and it’s likely that Google hopes to use these recommendations to enhance its own social search results.

Moving on, Google+ users can now upload bigger cover photos in what Google calls “a better aspect ratio” of 16×9 when expanded — expanded being a key word here, as Google appears to be mimicking Facebook’s half-hidden way of displaying cover photos.

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The About tab, as shown in the gallery below, now features a much cleaner look that’s easier to parse, with splashes of color above each heading.

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According to Google these changes are rolling out gradually (as usual). At the moment, it’s unclear as to when the new features will make their way to Google’s mobile apps.

Update: Google tells us “the updated profile will be available for all users soon — we’re rolling out the new profile throughout the day.”