Top 10 Local SEO Statistics for 2024

Local SEO strategy is all about capturing the attention of nearby consumers. With the growing importance of mobile search and localized intent, optimizing for local SEO can dramatically improve visibility. But don’t take my word for it. Read the statistics below!

What is local search?

Local search is using search engines, like Google or Bing, to find products, services, or businesses within a specific geographical area. It focuses on enhancing a business’s visibility for location-based searches, such as inquiries like “restaurants near me” or “best plumbers in [city name].”

Why do you need it?

Users often look for local businesses, services, and products close to their location. They will either search “near me” or put their locations within their inquiry. By targeting these types of keywords, you will get the opportunity to be included in their search results.

You can increase your target audience reach and channel a new source of traffic by expanding your strategy to local searches. Most of these searches are done by people who are ready to buy or need a service, making them a highly-valuable audience to tap into. They are one step away from completing their purchase — all they need to do is find you.

10 local statistics you should know

Let’s go in depth with the top statistics you should know about.

We’ll also talk about how you can optimize your website and what you should focus on with each statistic, so you can take action with these local SEO stats

1. The top-ranking pages on search engines have an average age of 2.6 years.

We start our local SEO statistics with one that applies to all business. Local SEO is a long-term game that takes a while for search engines to categorize you and for your team to generate enough content to attract traffic.

On average, top-ranking pages have been around for over two and a half years, showing the importance of consistency, quality, and patience when building your local search visibility. If you have just started the game and are still waiting for results, don’t give up! Start creating your content now, so that you can start ranking as soon as possible and build up your brand.

2. Over 1.5 billion searches each month contain “near me,” indicating local intent.

Local searches are booming, with over 1.5 billion “near me” queries each month. For business owners, this showcases the necessity of optimizing for local search terms to capture nearby consumers and the impact of local SEO on increasing your visibility.

Your audience is out there right now, actively looking for you! Optimize your Google Business Profile and generate location pages to capture potential customers.

Another idea is to combine your local keywords with your service and product in articles or blog posts. Incorporate location-based keywords such as city names and neighborhoods. If you live by a well-known landmark, you can incorporate that as well.

3. 96% of users learn about local businesses online

Businesses that prioritize local SEO are more likely to be discovered by potential customers. By focusing on keywords associated with your town, city, and suburbs, you can be found online, increasing both your traffic online and foot traffic to your store.

Be sure to gather and respond to customer reviews to increase local relevance and credibility. Search engines take into consideration the reviews of your clients on all platforms, including your Google Business Profile, when ranking companies.

4. Customers are 70% more likely to visit a business with an optimized Google Business Profile

Fully optimize your Google Business Profile with up-to-date location details, including your contact information, business hours, and photos. You can encourage customers to leave reviews, as higher ratings often result in better visibility.

5. 70% of consumers use Google Maps to look for nearby businesses

Consumers act fast. To take advantage of this, make sure your business information is accurate. If you have any enticing offers like promotions or discounts, use them and display them in your Google Business Profile, encouraging users to go to your website for more information. Use call-to-actions such as “Call now” or “Get directions” to convert local searches into clients.

6. 76% of people who search on smartphones visit a business within a day

Mobile searches have exploded, as phone technology has made it possible for everyone to interact with the internet and find what they want, at any point in the day. Make sure your website is mobile-friendly and optimized for purchases-related queries.

Your product listings have to be easy to navigate on mobile and include location-based keywords like ‘available nearby’ to capture intent-driven customers ready to make a purchase, whether they’re in bed, using an Uber, or on their lunch break.

7. Local searches lead to conversions 80% of the time.

Local SEO is highly valued. Why? It’s all here in this statistic. 80% of local searches result in users converting into customers for your business.

So, how can you increase conversions through local search? Optimize your content to focus on the user’s experience and provide helpful information that encourages more sales.

8. 79% of marketers consider local SEO a highly effective strategy.

For businesses across the globe, local SEO has an impact on their business — it can have an impact on yours, too.

Invest in a well-rounded local SEO strategy that combines on-page SEO, content marketing, and review management. Make sure to leverage your local citations and build up backlinks from other local businesses, directories, or community sites to increase your domain authority and search visibility.

Each tactic, method, and strategy helps give your website that edge over your competitors.

9. Most people (96%) turn to the Internet to discover local businesses.

Google has become the local directory for businesses to strut their stuff and services. You can leverage this as much as possible by building a robust online presence with active social media to make your business discoverable online.

10. On average, a local business’s Google Business Profile receives over 1,200 views monthly.

Keep your profile active by adding fresh content, photos, and updates about your business. You will want to respond to customer reviews and engage with questions to let others know that you have a strong online presence.

Boost your local SEO with SEO.com

With these local SEO statistics, you can see certain trends and patterns that you need to make your online strategy more effective. SEO offers many advantages, from boosting the quality of your website traffic to generating valuable leads. Start leveraging these benefits today with our free SEO guide.

With tools designed specifically for SEO professionals, you can track your rankings, conduct keyword research, monitor competitors, and uncover quick wins — all in one place. Optimize your business growth with our user-friendly platform, made by SEOs, for SEOs.

Need more help with your SEO? Contact us online to learn how our team of SEO experts can boost your business’s performance in search engines!