Google connects searchers with local information

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. - Google Inc. today announced the integration of local search results into Google.com with the availability of Google Local. This new feature enables users to find relevant local information with neighborhood business listings, maps, directions, and useful web pages.

Google Local represents the next step in local search technology. Now, users can search beyond traditional sources of local information, such as the yellow pages and local business listings, to reach a greater diversity of local resources drawn from the web at large. This innovation demonstrates Google's commitment to developing products that make it faster and easier for people to search across diverse sources of information from a single search box.

"Google's goal is to connect searchers with the information they need whether it's half-way around the world or in their neighborhood," said Sergey Brin, co-founder and President, Technology of Google Inc. "Google Local combines a wide array of sources including Google's more than 4 billion web page index, to produce the deepest local search."

Google Local search functionality is integrated into Google.com so relevant local information for specific keywords or locations is automatically presented to users at the top of search results pages. When these results are available, they are marked by a small compass icon which, when clicked, connects users to a Google Local search results page.

For example, users searching for a pizza restaurant in their neighborhood simply enter the keyword [pizza], and either a zip code or the name of a town or city [Palo Alto] into the search field to receive a comprehensive list of local pizza restaurants. Each result is accompanied by a phone number, street address, and a list of related websites such as those of local pizza restaurant, store reviews, and related information. Clicking on a business name delivers a new page featuring an easy-to-read map, directions, and more related web pages. If needed, users can limit or expand their results to include listings within a 1-mile, 5-mile, 15-mile, or 45-mile radius of a specific location.

Google searches its entire collection of web pages to pinpoint geographic information that is relevant to a user's query. Google combines this information with comprehensive local business, map, and service information drawn from a wide variety of U.S. databases such as the yellow pages and other sources. Today, Google Local connects users to U.S.-based local information. The company plans to include local information for international markets in the coming months.

Google Local, currently in beta, is the latest in a number of recent innovations that enhance the utility of Google as a resource connecting users to a wide variety of information sources. In addition to local information, Google recently integrated flight tracking, UPS and Federal Express package tracking, zip code information, and UPC code search into Google.com.