If you’re struggling to boost local search rankings and attract more customers to your business, you’re not alone. Many businesses overlook the importance of local SEO, failing to optimize websites for mobile users and maintain accurate business listings. Understanding the latest trends and statistics in local SEO can help you drive traffic to your webpage and attract nearby customers.
This article will delve into local SEO statistics, exploring the percentage of consumers who search for businesses online, the power of organic clicks, and the impressive conversion rates of local searches. By understanding the importance of local SEO, you can leverage these statistics to drive business growth and increase conversion rates.
If you have questions about local SEO or are interested in getting some more information about our seo services for healthcare, including home care SEO, SEO for plastic surgeons, medical spas, please reach out!
Google Local Pack Statistics
It comes as no surprise that millions of consumers are searching for local services on Google every day.
What can be a bit of a surprise is the volume of local searches that are performed and the impact that local SEO has on small businesses. In this article, I’m going to point out 26 impressive local SEO stats that will underscore the importance of Google in the survival of local businesses.
If you have questions about local SEO or are interested in getting some more information about our seo services for healthcare, including home care SEO, SEO for plastic surgeons, medical spas, please reach out!
How many Google searches are really happening in the US each month?
There are roughly 40-60 billion searches happening on Google in the US each month. Data was collected by Russ Jones, the Principal Search Scientist at Moz who used the T-Distribution scaling analysis on data provided by Jumpshot.
How many people are using Google?
According to the Pew Research Center, 91% of adults use search engines to find information. The breakdown consists of mostly young, college-educated people with 54% saying they use search more than once a day.
What percentage of consumers will disregard a business they can’t find online?
62% of consumers will disregard a business they cannot find online. Having an online presence isn’t optional—it’s expected. If your business doesn’t show up in search results, you’re missing out on more than half of potential customers who won’t take the next step to visit or contact you.
What percentage of Google searches are local?
46% of the searches on Google are have local intent. In fact, they represent billions of high-value searches for local businesses and services. When people perform local intent searches, there’s typically a much higher intent to purchase, and therefore, a higher conversion rate. When taking into consideration mobile users, the likelihood of that local search resulting in an in-store visit increases 35%. The takeaway for local businesses: optimize for mobile.
Which mapping platform do most consumers use?
88% of consumers use Google Maps, while only 12% use Apple Maps, so optimizing your Google Business Profile is critical. If your business isn’t showing up correctly on Google Maps, you could be invisible to the vast majority of local searchers.
How often does the Google 3-pack show up?
The Google Local 3-pack appears in 93% of searches with local intent. The three pack, which used to be the seven pack, is much more efficient for mobile users. Yet another reason to make sure that your site is mobile-responsive.
What percentage of consumers trust businesses that respond to online reviews?
88% of consumers prefer or trust businesses that actively respond to online feedback or reviews. Engaging with reviews—both positive and negative—shows customers that you care about their experience. It builds credibility and encourages others to choose your business over competitors who remain silent.
What percentages of product searches start on Google?
35% of product searches start on Google. Though this may be lower than the 46% of the searches that start on Amazon, Google actually has a smaller window of time between when consumers search and then purchases a product. On average, people are more likely to make a purchase through Google in 5 days or less. This is probably due to the fact that Google searchers know exactly what they’re looking for, as opposed to Amazon shoppers who may be researching a product.
What percentage of local searches are phrased as questions?
Approximately 8% of search queries are phrased as questions. This data was based off of the usual phrasing (Who, What Where, When, Why, How) as well as “am” and “is”.
What percentage of Google searches are “near me” searches?
“Near me” Google searches have doubled in the past year. Being available on Google search means it’s much more likely that people will stop into your store when searching for a local business.
How many consumers would avoid a business due to incorrect information online?
62% of consumers would avoid using a business if they found incorrect information online.
Whether it’s an outdated phone number, wrong address, or inaccurate hours, misinformation can instantly damage trust.
What percentage of people look up a business location on Google Maps?
86% of people look up the location of a business on Google Maps. One of the most important things you can do for your business is to claim your Google Business Page. This is how Google will rank you and it’s how your customers will find you.
Your business page accounts for 14% of your ranking power, so it’s important that you claim your business and get your information up to date.
What percentage of people visit a brick and mortar store that they found online?
76% of consumers who search for “near me” visit a business within a day. Local intent is a strong signal that someone is ready to take action. If your business appears in these searches, you have a high chance of turning online visibility into foot traffic—often within just hours.
What percentage of consumers look at online reviews of local businesses?
Online reviews influence 67% of consumers. When consumers were asked how important reviews were when making a major purchase like an appliance, smartphone or car, more than half admitted that online reviews were very important.
The data went on to reveal that a negative review can have detrimental effects on your business. In fact, four or more negative articles on your product could cost you up to 70% of potential customers.
What percentage of local mobile searches lead to a sale?
18% of local mobile searches lead to a sale within one day. Being able to rank locally on Google can have a direct impact on your business.
Today, many people are searching for local businesses and are much more likely to visit the stores that come up in a Google search. Claiming and completing your Google Business Profile is critical to gaining prospective customers.
What percentage of mobile searchers are looking for a business address?
50% of local mobile searches are looking for a local business address.
When searching for a local business on mobile, more than half of the people surveyed considered the local business address to be the most important piece of information they were looking for.
What percentage of local mobile searches result in offline purchases?
78% of local mobile searches result in offline purchases.
The most common reason for a local search is to find a specific business. The second most common reason is to find a business that sells a specific product or service.
This means that though most searchers have a specific business in mind, many are actively looking for a specific product or service and are open to local businesses.
How much more are people willing to pay for local products with a strong online reputation?
People are willing to pay 22% more for local products or services if the business has a good online reputation. A strong online presence with positive reviews doesn’t just attract more customers—it adds real value to your offerings.
What percentage of people are searching for local small business on their phones?
58% of people search for a local business on their smartphone daily.
When searching for local business, customers are much more likely to convert to a business if the company addresses their needs or questions at the time of their search. Having a mobile site that comes up in a Google search is essential for optimizing your page and growing your customer base.
What percentage of searches lead visitors to a store?
50% of local searches on mobile lead visitors to a store within one day.
This is likely due to the fact that these searchers are in their final stages of making a purchase. After reviewing and researching, consumers are ready to move forward with a purchase. A local business that comes up in a search is more likely to reap the benefits of the final purchase.
What percentage of consumers wouldn’t consider a business with poor average reviews?
71% of consumers would not consider using a business with an average review rating below three stars. Online reviews serve as a first impression, and anything below three stars can be a major red flag. Consistently encouraging satisfied customers to leave reviews can help you maintain a trustworthy reputation.
What percentage of users are likely to contact a local business if they have a mobile-friendly site?
61% of mobile searchers are more likely to contact a local business if they have a mobile-friendly site.
Mobile-friendly sites are not only easily found by mobile users, but they’re also more likely to convert customers. A site that is not mobile-friendly can hurt business and give away potential customers to your competitors. Today, customers are far less likely to deal with a business that has a poor website.
What percentage of Americans use smartphones and tablets to search for local products?
Smartphones and tablets are used by 60% of Americans to search for local products and services.
According to eMarketer, there were 81.1 billion local search queries conducted on a mobile phone. Americans are using mobile to search and research products before purchase, making mobile-friendly sites essential for converting customers.
What percentage of local mobile searches lead to a conversion?
80% of local mobile searches lead to a conversion. When someone searches locally on their phone, they’re often ready to take action—whether it’s making a purchase, booking an appointment, or visiting in person. This high conversion rate highlights just how powerful mobile local SEO can be for driving results.
What percentage of people are reading reviews on mobile browsers?
According to Brightlocal, 75% of people age 35-54, read reviews on mobile browsers.
There has been a dip in the number of people using a desktop to read reviews. People over 55 are more likely to read reviews on a computer while people 35-54 are using mobile browsers.
What percentage of local businesses have websites?
Only about 64% of small businesses have an online presence. This presents a great opportunity for growth to businesses that operate in markets with competitors that are not yet online.
Sources
Moz. (n.d.). The State of Searcher Behavior Revealed. Retrieved from https://moz.com/blog/state-of-searcher-behavior-revealed
Pew Research Center. (2012, March 9). Main Findings: Search Engine Use. Retrieved from https://www.pewinternet.org/2012/03/09/main-findings-11/
eMarketer. (n.d.). More Product Searches Start on Amazon. Retrieved from https://www.emarketer.com/content/more-product-searches-start-on-amazon
Junto. (n.d.). SEO Statistics: What You Need to Know. Retrieved from https://junto.digital/blog/seo-stats/
Search Engine Land. (2015, August 17). 6 Local SEO Stats Every Online Marketer Needs to Know. Retrieved from https://searchengineland.com/6-local-seo-stats-every-online-marketer-needs-know-226562
BrightLocal. (n.d.). 61% of Mobile Users More Likely to Contact a Local Business with a Mobile Site. Retrieved from https://www.brightlocal.com/research/61-of-mobile-users-more-likely-to-contact-a-local-business-with-a-mobile-site/
LOCALiQ. (n.d.). Local SEO Statistics. Retrieved from https://localiq.com/blog/local-seo-statistics/
BrightLocal. (n.d.). Local SEO Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.brightlocal.com/resources/local-seo-statistics/
HubSpot. (n.d.). Local SEO Stats Every Marketer Should Know. Retrieved from https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/local-seo-stats
BrightLocal. (n.d.). Local Consumer Review Survey. Retrieved from https://www.brightlocal.com/research/local-consumer-review-survey/
Miromind. (n.d.). Why SEO Is Important for Your Business. Retrieved from https://miromind.com/blog/why-seo-is-important-for-your-business/
