In today’s digital landscape, local SEO has become crucial for businesses aiming to attract inbound customers through organic search.

As consumers increasingly rely on online searches to find local products and services, optimizing for local search results has never been more important.

The significance of local SEO is supported by compelling statistics highlighting its impact on consumer behavior and business growth.

From the high percentage of Google searches focused on local information to the influence of online reviews, understanding and implementing effective local SEO strategies is key to enhancing visibility, driving website traffic, and increasing conversions.

Here are 73 Local SEO statistics to know for 2023.

73 Local SEO Statistics to Know

88% of consumers who do a local search on their smartphone visit or call a store within a day. [1]
Nearly 46% of all Google searches are seeking local information. [1]
72% of consumers that did a local search visited a store within five miles. [1]
97% of people learn more about a local company online than anywhere else. [1]
88% of searches for local businesses on a mobile device either call or visit the business within 24 hours. [1]
61% of mobile searchers are more likely to contact a local business if they have a mobile-friendly site. [1]
By 2021, mobile devices will influence over $1.4 trillion in local sales. [1]
18% of local smartphone searches led to a purchase within a day, compared to 7% of non-local searches. [1]
78% of location-based mobile searches result in an offline purchase. [1]
“Near me” or “close by” type searches grew by over 900% in two years. [1]
72% of computer or tablet users and 67% of smartphone users want ads customized to their city or zip code. [1]
Using location-based coupons on mobile can lead to a 9916% increase in incremental mobile revenue. [1]
Local searches result in purchases 28% of the time. [1]
Search result information will send 70% of consumers to a physical store. [1]
92% of searchers prefer businesses on the first page of local search results. [1]
Global retail ecommerce sales will reach $4.5 trillion by 2021. [1]
4 in 5 consumers use search engines to find local information. [1]
98% of consumers use the internet to find local business information. [2]
76% of consumers regularly read reviews when searching for local businesses. [2]
Local and organic searches make up 69% of overall digital traffic. [2]
42% of local searches involve clicks on the Google Map Pack. [2]
Mobile SEO accounts for 64% of global data traffic. [2]
Mobile search results have an 85% higher click-through rate. [2]
57% of local searches are done on mobile devices. [2]
69% of digital traffic comes from local and organic searches. [3]
Google has a 91.07% market share. [3]
4 in 5 consumers use search engines for local information. [3]
50% of mobile users visit stores after conducting local searches. [3]
Mobile devices contribute to 55% of global site traffic. [5]
Local searches account for 46% of all Google searches. [5]
46% of searches include location information. [7]
86% of people searching for a business location use Google Maps. [7]
15% of local SEO rank is attributed to reviews. [7]
75% of local searches result in a phone call. [7]
90% of purchases from mobile store searches happen in physical locations. [7]
67% of people prefer businesses that target their location through apps or mobile sites. [10]
88% of local clients trust reviews. [10]
92% of people select businesses on the first page of local search results. [10]
68% of online activities start with a search engine. [11]
75% of searchers never go beyond the first page of results. [11]
4 in 5 consumers trust a business based on positive reviews. [10]
75% of searchers never go beyond the first page of results. [5]
88% of local searches result in a call or visit within 24 hours. [10]
67% of consumers trust reviews when searching for local businesses. [10]
Local search visibility correlates with physical store visits. [9]
68% of online experiences begin with a search engine. [1]
15% of all Google searches are unique. [1]
Local SEO is responsible for 46% of Google searches. [10]
80% of local mobile searches convert. [10]
97% of people learn about local companies online. [10]
Online reviews impact local rankings for 90% of brands. [10]
35% of businesses consider local SEO important. [10]
Local SEO leads have a close rate of nearly 15%. [10]
28% of local searches result in a purchase within 24 hours. [10]
40% of local SEO campaigns achieve a 500% or better ROI. [10]
Good online reputation increases willingness to pay 22% more for local products/services. [10]
72% of consumers who search locally shop locally. [11]
78% of consumers use the internet to find local business information regularly. [11]
75% of users don’t go beyond the first page of search results. [11]
98% of consumers used the internet to find information about local businesses in 2022.
76% of consumers “regularly” read online reviews when browsing for local businesses.
69% of overall digital traffic comes from local and organic searches.
28% of local searches result in a purchase within 24 hours.
64% of small businesses have a local SEO presence.
40% of local SEO campaigns achieve a 500% or better ROI.
97% of users searched online to find a local business.
78% of local searches on mobile result in an offline purchase.
62% of consumers will disregard a business if they can’t find them online.
30% of all Google mobile searches are related to location.
46% of all searches on Google are for a local business or local service.
A Yelp page is present in the top 5 results for 92% of search queries that contain a city and business category.
93% of web experiences start on a search engine (mainly Google searches, images and maps).
72% of consumers who search local businesses online end up visiting stores within a five miles radius

What is Google’s SGE and How Does it Affect Local SEO?

Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) is an AI-powered search feature introduced by Google.

While there is limited information specifically discussing the impact of SGE on local SEO, we can make some observations and draw potential implications:

SGE integrates generative AI into search, aiming to personalize and innovate the search journey. It pulls information from various sources and presents it in a snapshot, allowing users to make detailed searches from the beginning. Because of this, SGE could provide more relevant and comprehensive information for local search queries like “outdoor beer gardens in Philadelphia” or “places in Philadelphia with a pool table and sports TVs.” SGE has the potential to make your local search queries hyper-personalized.
Greg Sterling from Near Media suggested that local search may be one of the most affected segments by SGE [2]. While the exact impact is not specified, it indicates that SGE could have significant implications for local SEO.
SGE generates AI-generated answers along with three potential website options. This suggests that local businesses optimizing for local SEO may have an opportunity to be featured as one of the website options presented in the SGE results.

Considering these observations, it is important for businesses with a local focus to adapt their SEO strategies to the potential impact of SGE. Here are some recommendations:

Continue optimizing for ranking: Although SGE uses AI-generated answers, ranking still plays a role in determining the sources from which SGE generates its answers.
Optimize for local intent: Since local search is expected to be one of the most affected segments by SGE, businesses should ensure their online presence is optimized for local search. This includes optimizing your website content, local listings, and online reviews to enhance your visibility and relevance in local search results.
Provide detailed and relevant information: SGE aims to deliver more comprehensive information to users. Businesses should ensure that their website content provides detailed and relevant information about their products, services, and location to increase the chances of being featured in SGE results.
Monitor and adapt: As SGE is a new feature, it is crucial to closely monitor its impact on local SEO. Keep track of changes in search rankings and website traffic, and adjust your strategies accordingly to leverage the opportunities presented by SGE.

While the full extent of SGE’s impact on local SEO is yet to be determined, these recommendations can help businesses position themselves effectively in the evolving search landscape. It is also advisable to stay informed about any updates or insights related to SGE and local SEO to make informed decisions.

What to Know About SGE as a Local Business

While the exact impact of SGE on local SEO is still being explored, there are some things to consider:

SGE generates answers using sources from the top pages on Google, indicating that ranking and optimization are still important [1].
Being featured as a source in the SGE panel can provide a clear advantage in terms of visibility and traffic [2].
Local and product searches may be among the most affected segments by SGE [3].

Local SEO Trends to Look Out For

In 2023, local SEO is set to undergo significant changes, and as a local business owner, it’s crucial to be aware of these changes in order to adapt and stay ahead of the curve. Here are some local SEO trends you should look out for:

Google has rolled out the March 2023 core algorithm update, which can impact search rankings and requires SEOs and website owners to stay informed and adapt their strategies [1].
Quality over quantity is becoming more important. Google is prioritizing original and helpful content that provides value to searchers, aiming to weed out low-quality content [2].
Authenticity is another key factor. Visual content, such as photos and videos, plays a significant role in conveying genuine and authentic business presence. Google search results now include images and videos, and platforms like YouTube are pushing for short-form video content [2].
Publishing original photos and avoiding repetitive keyword stuffing are important practices. Answering questions and prioritizing content for people rather than search engines is crucial [2].
Google’s increased focus on photos extends to local businesses. Google uses photos from business listings to help people find local businesses, and image search enables users to search for text and images simultaneously [2].
Artificial intelligence (AI) tools, like ChatGPT, have become more accessible and can help with content creation and optimization. Leveraging AI-generated content can be effective as long as it’s intended to provide value to users and not manipulate search engines [2].

How to Keep Your Google Business Profile Optimized for 2023

Fill out every detail

Ensure you have entered accurate and comprehensive information about your business. This includes the business name, address, contact details, opening hours, and category.

Regularly update

Keep all information up-to-date, and regularly update your GBP with fresh content such as posts, events, offers, and product or service updates.

Optimize the description

Write a comprehensive and keyword-optimized business description. Mention unique aspects of your business and why customers should choose you over competitors.

Encourage reviews

Ask satisfied customers to leave a review on your GBP. Respond to all reviews, positive and negative, in a polite and professional manner.

Add photos

Regularly add high-quality photos to your profile to showcase your business.

Optimizing Your Website for Local Relevance

Target Local Keywords

Make sure to include local keywords in your website content, titles, meta descriptions, and URLs.

Create Content that’s Relevant to Your Location Local

Create content around local news, events, or activities relevant to your business.

Local listings and citations

Get your business listed in online local directories, ensuring the consistency of your business name, address, and phone number (NAP).

The Changing Nature of Local SEO

As businesses strive to thrive in the digital era, the importance of local SEO cannot be overstated.

The abundance of data-backed local SEO statistics underscores its significance in improving search visibility, attracting ready-to-buy consumers, and driving business growth.

By claiming and optimizing Google Business Profile listings, incorporating relevant local-focused keywords and entities, managing online reviews, and staying abreast of local SEO trends, businesses can position themselves for success in the competitive local market.

Embracing the power of local SEO tools and working with experienced digital marketing agencies can further amplify the impact of local SEO strategies.

In this ever-evolving digital landscape, businesses that prioritize and invest in local SEO will reap the rewards of enhanced online presence, increased website traffic, and improved conversions.