Local SEO Statistics: 50+ Stats to Prove You Need a Local SEO Strategy
If you want to drive more local customers to visit your business, you must invest in local search engine optimization (SEO). Local SEO will help more local leads find your business and visit you, and it’s an excellent way for you to help your business grow online. However, everyone’s a critic, which is why we’ve decided to make a list of the most impressive local SEO stats.
Not only does our list of local search stats outline the importance of local SEO solutions, but they might just convince you that it’s the strategy you’ve been missing.
On this page, we’ll present 50 local search statistics that show why you should invest in a local SEO strategy. If you need help getting started with your local SEO campaign, contact us online or call us today at 888-601-5359 speak with a strategist about creating your local campaign.
Local SEO stats: General statistics
To kick off this list of local SEO statistics, let’s talk about some general stats surrounding local searches and local SEO:
1. 96% of people learn about local businesses online (Source)
The days of traditional marketing are slowly going to the wayside — people are turning to the Internet to learn about businesses in their local community. It’s important that you build an online presence, espeically in search engines, so people find your business when they look online.
2. 80% of local searches convert (Source)
This is our first local SEO stat since it is so eye-opening. It’s no secret that a local search strategy has a significant impact on your business’s success. With 80% of local searches resulting in conversions, you must invest in this strategy to help your business continue to grow.
Local searches contain the power to help you earn conversions, so you must adapt to a local SEO strategy. Optimizing your website for local searches will help you earn more conversions and grow your business.
3. 62% of customers will ignore a business without a web presence (Source)
Having a dedicated website improves your business’s legitimacy in the eyes of your audience. It helps them verify that your business is real and active, in addition to providing information they need about your company.
Local SEO will help you create a dedicated website that serves as a hub for all information about your company.
4. 49% of consumers like to buy from brands with a local presence (Source)
Building your local presence impacts people buying from you. People want to purchase from companies that have a local and optimized presence online –– it speaks to your business’s legitimacy and credibility.
Investing in local SEO ensures that you have a local presence to make a positive impression on your audience. It enables you to provide your audience with helpful information and build their confidence in buying from you.
5. 46% of Google searches are for local businesses (Source)
When people conduct searches through Google, 46% of them look for a local business. People rely on Google to find local businesses. If you don’t have a local SEO strategy in place, you’ll miss out on valuable traffic looking for your organization.
6. 28% of local searches result in a purchase (Source)
For your business to grow, you need people to buy from you. Many people who conduct a local search on a smartphone end up purchasing, whether that’s visiting your business, ordering online, or something similar.
7. 18% of local searches lead to a purchase within a day (Source)
When people conduct local searches, they may not convert immediately. At least 18% of searches, though, will lead to a purchase within a day — that’s compared to 7% of non-local searches that convert.
You can increase how many people purchase from your business by ensuring your Google Business Profile is detailed and tells your audience what they need to know. Having an informative website that details your products or services will help too.
Local SEO stats: How people search for local businesses
Next up on this list of local SEO statistics, let’s talk about how people search for local businesses. Local queries are often very specific, using terms like ” in [location name]” or “near me.” Let’s look at some stats showing how people search for local businesses on the web:
8. There are over 1.5 billion “near me” searches per month (Source)
As mentioned before, “near me” is one of the most common phrases people use when trying to find a local business in their area. There are over 1.5 billion “near me” searches every month, and that number will continue to grow.
9. Search queries that include the phrase “near me” or “close by” have seen a 900% increase in the last two years. (Source)
More people are using phrases like “near me” and “close by” to find businesses in their area. In the past two years, there’s been a 900% increase in those searches. To help your business appear in the results for these searches, make sure your location is integrated into your marketing materials so Google knows if you’re a nearby business based on the searcher’s location.
10. There has been a 200% increase in mobile searches for “open now near me.” (Source)
When people conduct local searches, they’re also trying to find businesses in their area that are open. Posting your hours on your website is a great way to ensure these searches know your business is open. It’s also good to keep your Google Business Profile updated with your latest hours.
11. 84% of “near me” searches are on mobile (Source)
When people want to find a business in their area, they’re searching on mobile devices. As a result, it’s important for you to both optimize your Google Business Profile and your website to ensure mobile users get the information they need with ease.
12. 78% of location-based mobile searches result in an offline purchase (Source)
Not all local searches will result in a purchase on your website. Many times people conduct local mobile searches because they want to visit the business in person. Make sure you’re providing all the information searchers need, so you can drive them to visit your website.
Local SEO stats: Google Business Profile statistics
A core component of building your local presence is your Google Business Profile. This profile appears in local Google searches and provides people with an overview of important information about your company. It plays a critical role in your local SEO strategy because it helps drive traffic to your website and your business’s location.
Here are some local SEO statistics that show why your Google Business Profile matters:
13. The average local business receives over 1,200 views a month on their Google Business Profile (Source)
When people want to find a local business, they often check out the company’s Google Business Profile to learn what they offer. If someone conducts a search using local keywords, for example, Google Business Profiles are likely to populate in the search results.
If the average local business gets over 1,200 views a month, that means you have the potential to attract a lot of leads for your business. Investing in optimizing your profile is crucial for your business’s growth.
14. Businesses with Google Business Profiles are 94% more likely to be perceived as reputable (Source)
Having a Google Business Profile is crucial for building trust with your audience. The majority of people see having a profile as a signal that your business is legitimate. If you haven’t claimed your local Google profile yet, you’ll want to do it now.
15. Customers are three times more likely to consider a business reputable if their Business Profile is complete (Source)
As we’ve mentioned before, people turn to the Internet to verify the validity of a business. Many people will look for a Google Business Profile because it means you took the steps to claim and complete yours. You’ll want to claim and optimize your profile to ensure people can find it.
16. 87% of consumers use Google to decide on a business (Source)
When people want to find a local business, they’re going to search engines like Google to find the right one and make a decision. Having a local presense, and a full Google Business profile, will help you show people you’re a good option for their needs.
17. 86% of people look up the location of a business using Google Maps (Source)
Many people will go straight into Google Maps to help them find a business in their area. And where do they get information about a local business when search in Google Maps? Their Google Business Profile. Make sure you optimize your Google Business Profile so searchers have all the information they need about your business.
18. Customers are 70% more likely to visit a business with an optimized Google Business Profile (Source)
Again, an optimized profile speaks to the validity of your business. Having it completely filled out means your audience doesn’t need to go searching around the web to find information about your business –– they can find vital information in one place.
19. 70% of consumers use Google Maps to look for nearby businesses (Source)
Google Maps is the place people go to find businesses near them. Since Google Maps shows your Google Business Profile when someone clicks on your business, it’s best to have an optimized profile to encourage people to visit your location or contact your company.
20. 68% of people who search online prefer to click on a local 3-pack (Source)
When people search for a local business, they’re often turning to the local 3-pack to find the right business for them. In fact, over half of all searchers prefer to click on this listings to learn more about a business. Make sure you keep your Google Business Profile updated and optimized with the latest information to provide a good experience for users.
21. 64% of consumers have looked to a Google Business Profile to find important contact information for a business (Source)
Your Google Business Profile serves as a hub of all the basic and critical information your audience needs to know, like your location, hours of operation, and phone number. Having this information in your listing makes it easy for people to contact or visit your business.
22. 60% of consumers call a business directly using their Google Business Profile (Source)
Many people will use your local Google profile to contact you directly. Over half of consumers will call a business directly from their profile. If you want to get more people to call your company, make sure you have an optimized and completed profile that provides all the information your audience needs to make a decision.
23. 56% of actions on a Google Business Profile result in visits to a business’s website (Source)
Your Google Business Profile serves as an appetizer — It helps to get things started and provide a little taste of your business. If people like what they see, they’re likely to visit your business’s website to learn more. Make sure your website is informative, user-friendly, and visually appealing to keep users engaged.
24. People are 50% more likely to consider purchasing from businesses with a complete Google Business Profile (Source)
It’s not enough to just claim your Google Business Profile and leave it at that. You need to fill it out completey, from your hours of operation to your photos to your website link. Having a complete profile means you provide your audience with everything they need to know, which makes them more likely to purchase if you’re a good fit.
25. 45% of companies receive appointment requests through their Google Business Profile (Source)
If you’re a business that takes appointments, having a Google Business Profile is crucial. Having the ability to book an appointment through your profile will help you earn new customers –– the same goes for having the option to “order now” for restaurant Google Business Profiles.
26. Businesses with photos in their listing get 42% more requests for driving directions (Source)
Having photos on your Google Business Profile is critical. These photos provide your audience with insight about your company, like what your business looks like both inside and out. Adding photos can ultimately drive people to visit your business because they like what they see.
27. 42% of local searchers click on Google Map packs (Source)
When people are on the go and need to find a local business, they’re often turning to Google Maps to help them find one. The combination of the visual map and the Google Business Profile helps people find what they need fast.
If you want to help you business’s profile appear in the Google Map pack, make sure it’s complete and optimized for your audience –– you’ll have a better chance of appearing in the local 3-pack.
28. Companies that have photos in their Google Business Profile earn 35% more clicks to their website than listings without
Photos drive more people to click on your listing because they can see what your business is like and what it offers. A restaurant, for example, that shares photos of their food will earn more clicks because people can see what there is to eat. Make sure to include all kinds of photos in your Google Business Profile, from images of your products or projects completed to the inside of your business.
Local SEO stats: Local voice search statistics
With voice search devices like Alex and Google Nest becoming more integrated into homes, there’s an increase of people use voice search through these devices.
29. Voice searches are three times more likely to be used for local search queries than text searches (Source)
People conduct voice searches with the intent of finding a local business. It’s important that you optimize your search strategy for these types of queries. Taking slang into consideration, for example, can help with performing better in voice search queries.
30. 76% of smart speaker users conduct local searches at least weekly (Source)
Using a voice search device isn’t just a one-off thing. Many people conduct local searches every week using voice search, so it’s important to have a strategy in place that’s tailored to these types of searches.
31. 72% of smart speaker owners use voice search to find information about local businesses (Source)
Many people rely on smart speakers, like Alexa and Google Nest, to help them do daily tasks like check the weather or set a timer. That’s not all they’re doing — many smart speaker owners use the devices to help them learn more about a local business in their area. Make sure all your local information is accurate and up to date, so voice searchers get the right info.
32. 58% of users use voice search to find local businesses (Source)
Whether it’s a local pizza place or a mechanic, people turn to voice search devices to help them find local businesses. Optimizing for these local search queries will help improve your chances of people discovering your company when looking for a local business.
33. Over 55% of people use voice search to find local businesses (Source)
As voice search devices grow in popularity, more people use these devices to conduct searches. Fifty-five percent of consumers use voice search to find a local store. With over half of people using voice search devices to find local businesses, you can’t miss the opportunity to drive these leads.
Since people take a more conversational approach to voice search, you’ll want to optimize your website for more conversational local keywords.
34. 27% of users visit a local business’s website after conducting a voice search (Source)
Voice search queries are often the starting point for people who want to find a local business. If voice search programs give inquirers the information they want, they’re likely to go checkout that business’s website to learn more. Make sure you have a website optimized for mobile, as smart speaker devices typically will send information to the user’s phone.
35. 25% of consumers are willing to try local voice search despite not having done it yet (Source)
Many people haven’t used a voice search device before, but they’re willing to try it to conduct local searches. That means there’s more potential for local voice search queries to increase in the future.
36. 22% of voice search queries are for local content (Source)
A small percentage of people will conduct voice search queries to find local content. If you host or participate in a popular local event or something similar, consider creating a dedicated piece of content about it (like a blog post). That way, when people voice search to ask about it, they can get directed to your website to learn more.
Local SEO stats: Mobile statistics
In today’s world, smartphone and mobile devices are increasingly popular. That means you need to consider mobile searchers when optimizing your local SEO strategy.
Let’s check out some local seo statistics on smartphones:
37. 88% of people who conduct a local search on their phone visit within a week (Source)
When people search for a local business on their phone, they’re likely to visit that business soon. Again, having an optimized Google Business Profile can go a long way in getting these leads in the door within the week.
38. 82% of smartphone users use a search engine when looking for a local business (Source)
When smartphone users want to find a local business, the majority turn to a search engine to help them find the right company. It’s important that you’re optimizing for mobile searches, so these users can find you.
39. 76% of people who search on smartphones visit a business within a day (Source)
Mobile devices grew increasingly popular in the past few years, which means more people search for local businesses using them. With so many people searching on mobile devices, you must be adapting your strategy to reach these mobile users.
If you’re only adapting for people who search on computers or voice search devices, you’ll alienate a large part of your audience that uses mobile devices.
40. 60% of smartphone users contact a business directly from local search results (Source)
When people search on mobile devices, they’re likely to contact businesses from that search. That’s because Google Business Profiles include phone numbers, making it easy for people to get into contact with businesses. Just another reason to claim your local profile!
41. 57% of local searches come from a mobile device and tablet (Source)
In today’s smartphone-driven world, it’s no surprise that over half of local searches come from mobile devices. People use mobile devices to find local businesses at home and while out on the go.
That means that, not only do you need to have an optimized local profile, but you also need a website optimized for mobile. Having a mobile-friendly website ensures that, if a visitor goes to your website to learn more about your business, they have a positive experience.
42. 50% of smartphone users visit a store within a day of a local search (Source)
Local searches help drive customers in the front door. In fact, 50% of users visit a store within a day of conducting a local search. A regional SEO strategy will help these customers find your business first and drive them to visit you.
43. Local mobile searches are growing 50% faster than overall mobile searches (Source)
More people are conducting local searches on their phone than any other type of search. It’s going to become more common for people to conduct their local searches on mobile devices, which means you need to have a website optimized for mobile devices to deliver a positive experience for these users.
44. 28% of people who search on a smartphone for a local business end up purchasing (Source)
For your business to grow, you need people to buy from you. Many people who conduct a local search on a smartphone end up purchasing, whether that’s visiting your business, ordering online, or something similar.
45. 30% of Google mobile searches are related to location (Source)
Many people are going to search for local businesses through mobile devices. When users conduct mobile searches on Google, 30% of them relate to location.
People often use their mobile devices to search for local businesses. With a local SEO campaign, you’ll be able to reach local leads searching on their mobile devices. You’ll adapt to how users search on mobile and create a more mobile-friendly website to get leads to engage with your business.
Local SEO stats: Reviews
Reviews play a crucial role in determining whether someone visits your business. One of the core components of your local profile, like your Google Business Profile, is reviews. People will check out reviews to see others’ experiences before deciding whether to choose your business.
If you want to see success with local SEO, you need to have a review management strategy in place.
Here are some 2024 local SEO stats that show the power and value of reviews of your business on your local listing:
46. 94% of people say reviews have made them avoid a business
Reviews have the power to persuade –– they also have the power to disuade. If a business receives bad reviews, and takes no action to rectify the situation, it can cause people to avoid a business. That’s why it’s crucial to stay on top of local reviews and actively monitor what people say about your business online.
47. 90% of consumers rely on reviews to evaluate a local business (Source)
If someone wants to gain insight into a local business, they’re turning to reviews to get a better picture. If you want to turn these searchers into customers, you need to continously obtain reviews about your business. Having more reviews can help build your reputation, but also help users determine if you’re the right fit.
48. 88% of consumers are likely to use or visit a business if they see the owner responds to all reviews (Source)
This goes for positive or negative reviews. People want to know that your company is listening to customers because it shows that you care about them and their experience. If you get reviews on your Google Business Profile, for example, take time to respond to them and show you actively listen to your customers.
49. 87% of consumers use Google to evaluate local businesses (Source)
More than any other search engine, people turn to Google to evaluate local businesses. Creating and optimizing your local business presence is important in helping people determine if you offer what they need. Additionally, your reviews help people determine if you’re a good fit.
In fact…
50. 74% of customers trust businesses that have more Google Business Profile reviews (Source)
The more reviews you have on your profile, the more trustworthy your listing becomes. That doesn’t mean all positive reviews, either! You can have both positive and negative reviews on your listing and still earn customers — the important part is that people share their experiences for others to see and make their own decisions.
51. 71% of people say Google Business Profile reviews make them more likely to choose a business (Source)
Reviews play a fundamental role in guiding people towards choosing your company. Build up the reviews on your Google Business Profile to help instill trust in your prospects.
52. Positive reviews can increase customer spending by 31% (Source)
One of the biggest benefits of earning reviews for your local business is that it can increase customer spending. If someone was already thinking about purchasing from your business, having positive reviews can encourage them to spend more than they intended because they feel more confident buying from your business.
Invest in a local SEO plan from WebFX today
After looking at all the local SEO stats, you can see just how important it is to have a local SEO strategy in place. By creating a unique local SEO strategy, you’ll help your business drive more local customers to your organization.
At WebFX, we have a team of over 500 experts that will help you drive more local traffic for your business. Contact us online or call us today at 888-601-5359 to speak with a strategist about creating your custom local SEO campaign.