Google, the world's top search engine, earlier this week unveiled Google Local, which adds the function of local search to Google. It is now in beta release and returns business listings, maps, driving directions, street addresses, phone numbers and related Web pages. The results can be narrowed down to one mile of the specified geographical reference chosen by the user or expanded out to a 45-mile (72-kilometer) radius. Google's goal is to connect searchers with the information they need whether it's half-way around the world or in their neighborhood.
Search Engine Optimization March 17, 2004