round the world, or around the corner, online search continues to grow. Local search is defined as searches conducted by consumers on the local or directory sections of leading search sites, as well as other searches identified as having local intent. comScore Media Matrix found evidence that, in July this year, 63 per cent of US internet users, approximately 109 million people, performed local searches online - a 43 per cent increase compared to a year earlier in July 2005.

Local online advertising is projected to account for $1.3 billion in spending this year and increase by nearly 51 per cent the next year, to $2 billion. The phenomenon is a fortunate fallout of the 'always on' nature of broadband connections, which enables consumers to quickly find local information on local businesses. This also means big business for local advertisers, what with approximately 849 million local searches conducted.... more