Finding a reliable service provider can be a test of patience for some consumers, despite sites like Angie’s List and Yelp that aim to connect customers with local professionals focused on repairs, installations, or other jobs around the house. Facebook thinks it has what it takes to make the quest for a dependable handyman, lawn care service, plumber, and other local businesses with its new “Professional Services” feature. 

The new venture, currently only available on the desktop version of the social networking site, is Facebook’s latest attempt to reach small businesses, USA Today reports.

Professional Services provides users with a list of “local businesses with the best Facebook reviews and ratings” after they select from an extensive list of categories on the features homepage.

Results display a businesses’ contact information and hours of business, and excerpts of reviews, as well as a link to see more reviews on the company’s Facebook page.

“We’re in the early stages of testing a way for people to easily find more Pages for the services they’re interested in,” the company tells USA Today.

Facebook didn’t provide details on how the service determines a businesses’ rating, but Search Engine Land, which reported on the feature Monday, suggests the results take into account Facebook’s five-star rating system found on businesses’ “pages” into account.

According to USA Today, Facebook currently hosts more than 50 million active business pages.

Facebook tests local business feature [USA Today]
Is “Facebook Professional Services” Facebook’s Stealth Project To Beat Yelp? [Search Engine Land]

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.