The Future Of Local On Google, Yahoo, and MSN

There is a future in local search – a big and very bright future.  When it comes to local search, it’s clear that the major players in the internet search industry, Google, Yahoo, and MSN, are also controlling the way local is done on the internet.  And the best part is that they are doing a really great job with it!

What Does The Future Of Local Look Like?

Internet users are using the web more and more when searching for a local business or service provider.  Instead of turning to the traditional phone book directory when searching for local businesses, folks these days are using the internet as a first resort for their local lookups.  As long as Google, Yahoo, and MSN continue to gain strength and roll out new local service offerings, it is safe to say that this is an irreversible trend.

Mobile Madness Is A Major Factor.

Mobile madness is taking this trend of using the big three search engines – Google, Yahoo, and MSN – for locally-targeted inquiries even further.  Think of it this way – when they’re on the go, not very many people carry a phonebook with them.  But they certainly have their mobile devices handy all of the time.

With latest generation mobile devices using the mobile versions provided by the big three of search, combined with built in geo-targeting, mobile madness is making local more accurate and reliable than ever.  Would you be surprised to know that a large percentage of mobile searches are indeed local?

How Are Google, Yahoo, And MSN Staying Ahead Of The Curve?

Google has focused their local technology through their Google Maps entity.  Innovative because all local search results are automatically integrated with local area maps, Google’s local search takes the age-old notion of phone listings to a new level altogether.

Yahoo! Local seems to be focusing more on providing a city guide type of service, but also integrates with their own Maps service.  MSN is additionally focusing on the city guide approach.  And as a searcher-friendly bonus, all three of the major search companies offer reviews of local businesses right along with their listings results.

To Take Advantage Of The Trend, It’s Important To Optimize For Local.

All three search companies spider sites for clues about their locality and type of service offerings, factoring them into the search results.  Therefore, it is quite important to make these details very clear on a website targeted towards local search.  Also, it appears that most of the time, Google, Yahoo, and MSN all want to find a matching source of info elsewhere (such as through internet-based phone listings), in order to verify the accuracy of the local address, phone number, and other relevant details provided by a site.

As it is continuously defined more clearly each and every day by Google, Yahoo, and MSN, the future of local search is very bright.  And it’s not too late – there’s still plenty of room to get in at the ground level and take advantage of going local on the web.