In a recent study released by YPA & comScore, local search grew 58% in 2008, whereas overall searches only increased by 21% year-over-year. This is great for businesses working towards targeting consumers in their geo as well as national brands trying to target consumers on a local level. Online has long been touted as not very “brand” friendly because consumers that do go online to perform a search (especially on Internet Yellow Pages or Local Search Sites) often don’t have a brand in mind but just want the best and most relevent solution. Brands still hold a place online, but local search is definitely finding the consumers that are at the end of the purchase funnel – the “ready-to-buy” consumers.

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