9 local SEO statistics that justify doubling down on search

Recent local SEO statistics are proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that competing in Google’s local pack and map apps is well worth the investment.  
In fact, local SEO statistics have been so compelling that Semrush built a dedicated tool, Listing Management, to help businesses rise in the rankings.  
But we don’t expect you to just take our word for it, so we’ve collected some of the most eye-popping local SEO stats that will make you think twice about how big of a part it plays in your marketing strategy.

‘Open now near me’ searches skyrocketed 400%

While the current culture of same-day delivery from online shopping brands is testament to the immediacy of today’s consumerism, local search statistics reveal a similar trend. According to Think With Google’s 2022 Retail Marketing Guide, the local search term “open now near me” is being used dramatically more in recent years. The study found an astonishing 400% YoY increase between the periods of September 2019 to August 2020 and September 2020 to August 2021. Searches like this bring up Google Business Profiles in SERPs (search engine results pages), which allows users to quickly see opening hours and click through to Google Maps for directions. Considering the huge surge in users looking for businesses they can visit right away, failing to add or claim your Google Business Profile is closing the door to a lot more local foot traffic.

Replying to local reviews boosts submissions 12%

Getting back to customers who have taken the time to leave you feedback is not only common courtesy, it can also increase the number of reviews your business gets. A study from Harvard Business Review revealed that businesses can expect additional reviews to pour in to the tune of +12% simply by leaving a polite “thank you” response. The university’s study of TripAdvisor hotel reviews also claims an increase in average ratings of 0.12 stars on a 1-to-5 scale. When users see that businesses are actively engaged with their customers, it builds trust and encourages them to leave their own review because they know their opinion will be taken seriously. Increasing the number and quality of reviews generally involves a review generation campaign, and with local SEO statistics suggesting you can make an impact with a simple message back, responding to reviews should definitely be part of your strategy. **Quick response:** While saying “thank you” to customers for leaving feedback might seem simple in principle, keeping on top of reviews from multiple platforms is a tall order for most busy business owners and marketers. Make review management a little less complicated with Semrush’s Listing Management, which keeps track of your reply rate so you can be sure you got back to everyone.

60% contact businesses directly from local search results

A complete and up-to-date Google Business Profile can be the fastest way from A to B for a user looking for products and services in their area—and mobile local search statistics from Think with Google prove it. Google’s online publication and local SEO statistics resource revealed that the majority of smartphone users (60%) get in touch with businesses directly from SERP results . Mobile local search statistics like this hammer home the need to monitor Google Business Profiles, and other business listings, for inconsistencies that could lead to a dead end for a paying customer trying to make contact. **Be consistent:** Google uses NAP data (name, address, phone number) from online citations to determine rankings for your Google Business Profile. Keeping on top of business listings across the web while running a business or managing other marketing tasks isn't very realistic without the help of Semrush's Listing Management, which alerts you to errors and allows you to make edits to all your listings at the same time.

76% visit a business within a day of searching

Some customer journeys in the world of digital marketing can see users passing through funnels that take weeks or even months to convert. But customers attracted by local SEO make their minds up a lot faster. A massive 76% of users visit a business within 24 hours of searching, according to mobile local search statistics from Think with Google. Not only that, but 28% of those users actually end up buying something, making local search a high-converting channel that simply can’t be ignored. We’ve already seen that the majority of potential customers get all the information they need from your Google Business Profile, but it doesn’t make sense to ignore those who want to take a look at your website too. Capture as much of this high-converting traffic as possible and give your website the care and attention necessary to keep it running fast and prevent users from bouncing.

Map apps drive 30-40% of local business discovery

While Google Search helps people find local results by presenting them with the Places section on SERPs, many users are going directly to map apps for their local solutions. Around 30 to 40% of consumers skip straight to apps like Google Maps to find information on businesses in their area, according to GrowME Marketing research published in Forbes. Mobile searches typically display very few options, so learning how to boost your Google Maps ranking to help your business come out on top could bring the lion’s share of those potential customers to your door. Local SEO stats aside, improving your Google Maps positioning is what separates your business from the competition, so not including it as part of your overall marketing strategy is simply leaving money on the table. **Reliable rankings:** In order to improve your local rankings, you’ll need to keep track of your positions using an objective source you can trust. Semrush Local's Map Rank Tracker   to guide you on your journey to the number one spot.

46% of all search users are looking for local businesses

While it’s maybe unwise to rely on third-hand sources on Twitter for your local SEO statistics, we feel like there’s probably truth to this particular claim. An attendee at the Secrets of Local Search conference at GoogleHQ reported an announcement of 46% of searches having local intent. While the quote from a Google representative at an official presentation might seem suspiciously high, other sources online put the figure even higher. Improving organic results with quality local content should be a key part of your strategy, but local SEO statistics suggest Google Local Pack and map app results are on their way to dominating search.

Siri less likely to suggest below 4.5-rated Yelp businesses

Local SEOs are well aware of the role negative reviews play in influencing search results, but Semrush’s own local SEO statistics suggest that less than stellar ratings might see your business passed over altogether. Semrush's 2020 Voice Search for Local Businesses Study found that businesses with below 4.5 review averages on Yelp have a lower chance of featuring in Siri voice results. Improving average ratings on Yelp and other business directories can be a long journey. If you’re regularly receiving reviews that are bringing down your average, consider the validity of the complaints and whether you need to upgrade your business practices. Negative reviews can be hard to swallow, but they’re often an essential part of your growth as a business and can sometimes lead to happy customers if you reach out and solve their problems satisfactorily. **Star tracking:** Putting together a strategy for getting better reviews requires a complete picture of your average ratings. Use Semrush Local's Review Management's to track your online reputation across multiple platforms with clear visuals showing your star rating breakdown from month to month.

Voice search usage has ballooned by 146%

If you didn’t think proper review management was important for your local visibility based on the previous stat, we've got more compelling mobile local search statistics to back it up. Voice search, which is largely used by people looking for local businesses while on the go, is massively on the rise. From 2019 to 2023, voice search usage has increased by 146% , from 3.25 billion users to 8 billion. That’s a lot of businesses that voice assistants like Siri might overlook if their review profile isn’t up to scratch. With voice search fast becoming the go-to method for busy smartphone users to find what they're looking for locally, businesses should start optimising for it sooner rather than later.

74% increase in website visits and 83% more phone calls

Now for some local SEO stats from one of Semrush’s success stories… After using Listing Management to boost their client’s online authority, WebServ reported a 74% increase in website visits and an 83% jump in phone calls in just two months. The plastic surgery and lasering client also saw 7% growth in direct searches, a 34% increase in discovery searches and 80% more map views. WebServ claims that Semrush’s Listing Management saves them 500% on time that would otherwise be spent manually managing listings for clients.

Ride the positive trends revealed by these local SEO stats with Semrush’s Listing Management

It should now be clear that there’s no time like the present to get started with local SEO or build out your strategy if you’re not getting the results your business deserves. Armed with these local SEO statistics, it shouldn't be too difficult to convince the higher-ups that an investment in local SEO is very likely to pay off in the long run. And when you can leverage these local SEO statistics to your benefit with one affordable, feature-packed tool, there’s even less reason to put it off any longer.