Local SEO has become a lifeline for businesses trying to connect with customers in their community. As people increasingly rely on search engines to find nearby services, being visible in local search results is crucial. The updated local SEO statistics for 2024 highlight the key trends and shifts you need to know to stay competitive. Whether you're running a small business or managing a chain, understanding how local SEO works will help you attract the customers who matter most—those right in your area.
Local SEO Statistics:
Four in five people rely on search engines for local queries. (Source)
76% of “near me” searches lead to a business visit within 24 hours. (Source)
Searches on mobile for “open now near me” have surged by 200%, with people increasingly looking for businesses that are open immediately. (Source)
88% of local searches performed on mobile result in actions like making a call or visiting a business. (Source)
The leading platforms for local business searches are Google (66%), Google Maps (45%), business websites (36%), Facebook (32%), and Yelp (32%). (Source)
42% of users click on one of the top three results in Google’s 3-Pack for local searches, making it crucial to rank there. (Source)
61% of users are more likely to contact a local business if its website is optimized for mobile devices. (Source)
42% of millennials will visit a local business after searching, and they’re 50% more likely to conduct searches on the go. (Source)
84% of people often discover new products, services, or businesses online. (Source)
77% of users turn to Google for local business information. (Source)
28% of nearby searches result in a purchase. (Source)
Organic search results receive the most clicks compared to other types. (Source)
Local and organic searches account for 69% of all digital traffic. (Source)
Local searches contribute 22.6% of overall website traffic. (Source)
Local traffic is highly engaging, with an average of 3.92 pages viewed per session, outperforming other top-performing channels. (Source)
97% of users discover local businesses online, primarily through Google Business Profile. (Source)
When potential customers interact with your Google Business Profile, over 50% of them are likely to visit your website. (Source)
More than 5% of users who find your business on Google will book an appointment, fill out a contact form, or make a purchase. (Source)
Using images in your Google Business Profile can increase revenue per visitor by 17%. (Source)
Over a billion voice searches happen monthly, and 22% of these are for local information. (Source)
Nine out of ten people search for a local business on their phone at least once a week. (Source)
Over 75% of people searching for a local business on their phone visit the physical location within 24 hours, and 28% of those searches result in a purchase. (Source)
76% of mobile searchers visit a business within a day. (Source)
60% of smartphone users contact a business directly from search results. (Source)
Local mobile searches are growing about 50% faster than general mobile searches. (Source)
Although most local business searches happen online via mobile, 78% of them still result in an offline purchase. (Source)
One in three people use their phones to search for products before looking for a nearby store. (Source)
90% of shoppers read reviews before making a purchase. (Source)
94% of people say reviews have deterred them from choosing a business. (Source)
88% of users are more likely to visit or use a business if the owner responds to all reviews. (Source)
About 20% of customers expect businesses to respond quickly to reviews. (Source)
Google is the fastest-growing review platform, making Google reviews increasingly important. (Source)
Companies with over 200 reviews earn twice as much as those with fewer reviews. (Source)
73% of users only consider reviews written in the past month. (Source)
74% of customers trust businesses more when they have more Google Business Profile reviews, and 71% say these reviews increase the chances of them choosing a business. (Source)
One-third of online users search for local businesses daily. (Source)
98% of consumers go online to find information about local businesses. (Source)
"Sort by newest" is viewed as the most helpful review feature, with 47% of consumers rating it as "highly useful." (Source)
58% of people prefer reviews generated with AI. (Source)
71% of consumers will avoid businesses with an average rating below three stars. (Source)
Google Maps drives 30-40% of local business discovery. (Source)
46% of all search queries are for local businesses. (Source)
Siri is less likely to recommend businesses with Yelp ratings below 4.5 stars. (Source)
57% of local searches are made on mobile devices. (Source)
People are 70% more likely to visit businesses with a complete Google Business Profile. (Source)
More than half of consumers use Google to discover new brands. (Source)
42% of users regularly read reviews when searching for local businesses. (Source)
Users are 2.7 times more likely to trust a company if it has a complete Google Business Profile. (Source)
75% of people feel more positive about using a local business after reading a favorable review. (Source)
63.6% of consumers say they read online reviews before visiting certain local businesses. (Source)
96% of consumers find out about local businesses online. (Source)
80% of local searches convert into some form of action. (Source)
49% of consumers prefer buying from brands with a local presence. (Source)
18% of local searches result in a purchase within 24 hours. (Source)
There are over 1.5 billion “near me” searches every month. (Source)
Searches including "near me" or "close by" have increased by 900% in the past two years. (Source)
Mobile searches for “open now near me” have surged by 200%. (Source)
84% of “near me” searches are made on mobile devices. (Source)
Businesses with a Google Business Profile are 94% more likely to be seen as trustworthy. (Source)
87% of people use Google to help decide which business to visit. (Source)
86% of users look up a business's location via Google Maps. (Source)
70% of consumers use Google Maps to find nearby businesses. (Source)
68% of people searching online click on one of the top three results in Google’s local 3-Pack. (Source)
64% of consumers turn to Google Business Profiles for important contact information. (Source)
56% of actions taken on Google Business Profiles lead to website visits. (Source)
45% of businesses receive appointment requests through Google Business Profiles. (Source)
40% of local SEO campaigns generate a 500% or higher return on investment. (Source)
50% of “near me” searches result in store visits. (Source)
82% of businesses have yet to claim their listing on Bing. (Source)
62% of consumers will ignore a business they can’t find online. (Source)
90% of local business searchers make a purchase within a week. (Source)
70% of consumers visit a store because of information they found online. (Source)
Positive reviews make 73% of consumers more likely to trust a business. (Source)
84% of smartphone users have looked up “food near me.” (Source)
When searching “near me,” 60% of smartphone users click on the first two or three results. (Source)
98% of shoppers say they occasionally read online reviews when researching local businesses. (Source)
76% of consumers regularly or always read reviews for local businesses. (Source)
31% of consumers trust online reviews as much as articles from experts. (Source)
30% of smartphone searches include a location. (Source)
51% of smartphone users discover new products or businesses through searches. (Source)
58% of people search for local businesses on their phones daily. (Source)
15% of leads from local SEO result in sales. (Source)
53% of consumers expect a response to a negative review within a week. (Source)
42% of local searchers click on the Google Map Pack results. (Source)
Businesses with photos in their listings get 42% more requests for driving directions. (Source)
Companies with photos in their Google Business Profile get 35% more website clicks. (Source)
Positive reviews can lead to a 31% increase in customer spending. (Source)
68% of people are skeptical of a 5-star rating unless there are many reviews. (Source)
49% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. (Source)
7 out of 10 consumers use rating filters when searching for businesses. (Source)
The average person reads 10 reviews before trusting a business. (Source)
Nearly 55% of people read at least four reviews before purchasing. (Source)
85% of consumers believe older reviews aren’t relevant. (Source)
One additional review can increase the likelihood of someone clicking the “buy” button by 65%. (Source)
A company’s reputation accounts for 52% of its market value. (Source)
88% of customers say reading an online review influenced their purchasing decision. (Source)
Displaying reviews online can boost conversions by 270%. (Source)
Around 75% of restaurants have different hours listed on Google and Apple Maps. (Source)
The 2024 Local SEO Statistics don't lie
If you’re not optimizing for local, you’re leaving money on the table. Consumers are searching, and they want quick, relevant results. Get local SEO right, and you’ll be the business they see first. Ignore it, and you’ll be the one wondering why your competitor down the road keeps getting all the foot traffic. Staying on top of these trends isn’t optional; it’s the key to thriving in a world where local search is how business gets done.