Millions of people have handheld devices in their possession daily and use them to search for everyday necessities and curiosities.
Online reviews have an important addition in local search. Consumers are relying on reviews during their path to purchase.
- 46% of U.S. adults who plan to make a major purchase always do research on the internet first.
- 45% of U.S. adults find that customer reviews are very helpful.
(Source: Global Consumer Survey April 2022)
The internet and its search features allow people to connect with products and services in an instant.
- 53% of U.S. respondents use search engines as a source to get information about products.
(Source: Statista, November 2023)
Most effective methods for requesting reviews, according to consumers:
- 34% prefer email
- 33% prefer in-person
- 32% prefer receipt or invoice
(Source: BrightLocal, Local Consumer Survey, 2023)
While the Yellow Pages directories were at one time a regular source for consumers seeking information on businesses and local services.
In the past year, 12% of adults 18+ have referred to internet yellow pages.
- 6% have referred to paper yellow pages.
(Source: 2023 MRI-Simmons Fall Doublebase)
The digitally connected world has hugely expanded choices for accessing information and has taken search to mobile consumer. Consumers in cars and on the street can quickly access information through search engines such as Google, Yahoo, and Bing -- and those are just starting points.
- 86% of A18+ visited a search engine on their mobile device/smartphone/Tablet in the last 30 days
- 67% of A18+ search for information about a product
- 49% of A18+ visted a website for local information
- 3% of A18+ called directory assistance
(Source: 2023 MRI-Simmons Fall Doublebase)
- 98% of people read online reviews for local businesses
- 37% of consumers only leave positive reviews.
- 6% of consumers only leave negative reviews.
- 4% of consumers never leave reviews.
(Source: BrightLocal, Local Consumer Review Survey 2023)
Top 3 review sites or apps used in 2022
- Google - 87%
- Yelp - 48%
- Facebook - 46%
(Source: BrightLocal, Local Consumer Review Survey 2023)
87% of consumers used Google to evaluate local businesses in 2022, up from 81% in 2021.
(Source: BrightLocal, Local Consumer Review Survey 2023)
How often consumers have used the internet to find information about a local business within the last year:
- 32% say multiple times a week.
- 24% say at least once a week.
- 21% say everyday.
- 14% say at least once a month.
- 7% say less than once a month.
- 2% say not at all.
(Source: BrightLocal, Local Consumer Review Survey 2023)
