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How maps are transforming local search

March 11, 2010 | Internet Marketing

To be successful in local search, marketers should implement programs that target where local usage is today. As for the future of local search? It's going to take on a whole new meaning in the social realm.

There’s a lot going in local search, and it’s almost as hot of a topic as the uprising of Facebook and Twitter. Whether it’s a general search on Google, a question asked on Facebook, or a restaurant you find on your smartphone, local search is all-encompassing. Here’s the evidence:

- Last year was the first year that local online advertising spend was projected to pass national online advertising spend ($12.34 billion vs. $11.39 billion, respectively), according to eMarketer.

- National brands are now focusing more on the leads they generate at the local level than the overall branding message they promote at the corporate level.

- Location-sensitive advertising on mobile is the biggest thing since sliced bread and will only continue to increase as more and more consumers get on smartphones.

- Bing Maps is implementing augmented reality within its search function so that users can see firsthand what businesses look and feel like.

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