Facebook has launched a new site for finding the best-rated local services – a site that Facebook has been keeping a secret until Acodez IT Solutions accidently discovered the hidden section of Facebook last week.

The hidden, desktop only section located at facebook.com/services, allows users to search for a broad range of local businesses and sites, from restaurants to hostels to beaches and Buddhist temples. The new services section is similar to Facebook’s directory called Places, which allows you to find the best-rated destinations in any global location. We will have to wait and see whether Facebook will combine Places with the new services section.

How to find the best-rated services on Facebook

Clicking on the Facebook services link will take you through to the new section. The first menu bar is where you will search for the specific item, for instance, “Mexican restaurants.” In the second menu, your current location will automatically pull through, but you can change this to any city in the world, for instance, “Austin, Texas.” Hit search and Facebook’s service directory will provide you with a list of the best Mexican restaurants in Austin together with its location and contact details. The most popular Facebook rating and reviews for each service determine the search results. Clicking on one of the results will take you through to the restaurant’s Facebook page.

If Facebook focuses on providing a services directory for users, it will face stiff competition from established brands in the market, like Yelp Inc. and Angie’s List Inc. as well as other tech giants and startups who are entering the market. LinkedIn Corp. joined the market earlier this year with the launch of ProFinder, which connects users to freelance designers, copywriters, accountants etc. Google also launched a service in August to pair desperate users with prescreened plumbers, electricians, locksmiths etc. in its sponsored results. While Seattle-based startup Pro.com, focuses on users looking for home renovations and repairs, like painting or tiling.

Facebook’s only comment about the hidden section so far has been to TechCrunch, “We’re in the early stages of testing a way for people to easily find more Pages for the services they’re interested in.”

Screenshots: SiliconANGLE via Facebook