19 Local SEO Statistics That Matter in 2024

19 Local SEO Statistics that show why more businesses are implementing a local search marketing strategy in 2024.

Local SEO is quickly becoming one of the most qualified methods for local businesses to grow online. We’ve compiled 19 of our favourite local SEO statistics for 2024 that prove the importance of a local SEO strategy for a small business.

Like regular SEO, local search engine optimisation is the practice of optimising a website to enhance search visibility; only it involves working with local search and local customers.

In a landscape that has previously been dominated by large businesses, Google gave smaller local businesses a chance to capture the local audience when they introduced the Pigeon update in 2014. The pigeon update was released and based around serving users with information on products, services, and businesses in their immediate vicinity.

Since then, small businesses have been hesitantly dipping their toes in local SEO strategies. Local SEO is an integral part of any marketing strategy that when done right, can generate high converting leads and local organic traffic. This article will discuss the most impressive local SEO statistics of 2024 to outline the importance of a comprehensive local campaign.

Explore the complete list of general SEO Statistics or the complete list of Digital Marketing Statistics.

1. 46% of all searches on Google include local intent

46% of all searches will have to do with location – an SEO statistic that highlights the relevance of local search marketing for Google searches. Small to medium-sized businesses not implementing basic local SEO strategies will miss out on ranking for almost half of all Google searches. With more than 3.5 billion searches being received by Google every day, that’s a whopping 1.6 billion of them that include local intent.

2. 97% of users searched online to find a local business

It’s no secret that consumers are becoming more reliant on the internet to find products, services, and businesses. But did you know that the majority of users use search to find businesses nearby? Local Search statistics also reveal that 54% of us are making these searches at least once a month, and 12% search for a local business every day.

3. Every month, searchers visit 1.5 billion locations related to their Google searches

Consumers aren’t just searching for local businesses; they’re also using local search to compare products and services. Based on Google searches and reviews, consumers are visiting 1.5 billion physical locations every month. Whether you are a plumber, accountant, or SEO Agency, this statistic further proves the importance of a comprehensive local SEO campaign for local businesses.

4. A purchase follows 28 % of all local searches

Users conducting local searchers have high purchase intent, with almost a third of all searches with local intent resulting in a purchase. This is likely because searchers know that the product or service they are after is nearby – they’re less likely to care about location if they’re not ready to purchase. Those implementing local SEO strategies aren’t just enhancing their online profile, but are also attracting qualified, high converting leads.

5. 78% of local searches on mobile result in an offline purchase

Brick and mortar businesses are very much alive and well. Local SEO facts reveal that users making local searches on their mobile are even more likely to convert to paying customers. 90% of these purchases will occur in a physical store location. Even for companies that operate out of offline and physical stores, it is crucial to have a local SEO strategy in place that exposes your business to potential customers.

6. 70% of consumers will visit a store because of information found online

Whether it be an ad, review, or marketing campaign, everyday consumers are learning about new local businesses online. Failure to recognise the importance of local online visibility means missing out on enormous customer opportunity. Getting started with a local SEO campaign early means capitalising on tremendous opportunity with potential customers.

7. 24.4% of all clicks go to the first result of local business searches

Those topping the rankings of local business searches are benefitting from 24.4% of all clicks. This local SEO statistic for 2024 further highlights the importance of local SEO for small businesses. Companies outranking their local competition are going to attract almost a quarter of all customers making that search. Getting ahead of your competition will come with a wealth of local opportunities.

8. “Near me” mobile searches grew increased by 136% last year

The phrase “near me” for local searches has become incredibly popular recently. Over the last couple of years, the number of people using “near me” or “buy now” to find local products or businesses has increased by an insane 500%. In 2024, small businesses need to ensure that local SEO strategies are adapted to allow for customers nearby to find your business.

9. Over 50% of all “near me” searches will result in an offline store visit

Previously, users had to type in a postcode and address to search for a local business. Today, local SEO statistics reveal that the addition of “near me” to a search can help users filter according to their location. More than half of these people searching “near me” for products or services will end up visiting an actual store. This search local statistic further proves how important it is for local businesses to enhance their local search visibility, even if you operate a brick and mortar style business.

10. 62% of consumers will disregard a business if they can’t find them online

Almost two-thirds of users won’t associate with businesses if they can’t find their information online. This startling statistic is enough alone to get business owners to rethink their online presence.

Businesses with a large amount of information and contact detail available leave consumers with a trustworthy and legitimate impression. Local SEO is not only crucial for finding new customers, but also maintaining a genuine business presence. Business information search has become so common that consumers don’t trust businesses that fail to provide it or have no online profile.

11. 88% of potential customers look for online reviews before choosing local services

Online reviews are a great way to show off the quality of your business services. Almost 90% of all consumers will read reviews before going any further on the buying journey with a company. Genuine and positive online reviews from satisfied customers can go a long way in making a business look trustworthy, have a definite impact on sales, and prove to Google that your business provides a valuable service. Positive reviews are also increasingly vital to decision making and will provide social proof that drives purchases.

12. 73% of customers are more trusting of businesses with online reviews

With 88% of potential customers looking for online reviews before choosing a local business, it’s also worth noting that 73% of customers say that they “trust” a company with online reviews. This means that businesses with no online reviews across Google, Facebook, or other peer-to-peer review platforms are less likely to be “trusted” by the 88% of customers that look for online reviews before choosing local services.

13. 84% of customers seek out negative reviews

Positive reviews are (of course) a hall mark of a business that is worth trusting, however, another study found that perfect is not always what customers are looking for. The study found that businesses with an overwhelming or unrealistic number of five-star reviews from low review count accounts are actually less credible than those with some negative reviews. Positive reviews are great, but customers also want to know how businesses handle negative reviews from dissatisfied clients.

14. 86% of customers use Google Maps to find local businesses

The most recent local SEO statistics from Google Maps reveal that 86% of users are using the platform to search for local stores and businesses. This statistic proves the importance of a healthy and consistently updated Google My Business listing for both brick and mortar stores and service companies.

15. 30% of all Google mobile searches are related to location

Users are more frequently using their mobile devices to find businesses or products nearby. The latest local statistics show that almost a third of all mobile searches include local intent – further evidence of the necessity of local SEO. A comprehensive local SEO campaign will work on improving the mobile-friendliness of a website as well as connecting with local customers.

16. Less than 5% of all people leave online reviews for businesses

According to the latest research, less than 5% of customers leave online reviews on Google Business or other online reviews platforms for businesses that they have an interaction with whether that is online or in-person. Of those customers that leave reviews for businesses, the latest data indicates that customers are 29% more likely to leave a negative review for a business than they are to leave a positive review for one.

17. 29% of people search for local businesses at least once a week

Local searches are becoming more frequent. 29% of consumers are conducting searches for local business at least weekly. With people searching for local businesses so often, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to drive them to your local business.

18. 56% of local businesses have not yet claimed their Google My Business listing.

If your business has not claimed its Google My Business listing, you are missing out on enormous local search visibility and customer connection opportunities. GMB works with Google Maps to serve users with local businesses in the local area. GMB is a free tool that allows business owners to provide and manage their valuable contact information for users to find.

19. The average timeframe to see ROI positive results from Local SEO is 4.76 months

Utilising more than three years of Agency data, Safari Digital SEO in Sydney found that the Local SEO client took 4.76-months before their campaign became ROI positive. This number is slightly higher than the 4.33-month duration experienced across all campaigns. The data found that the first 4-months of a local SEO campaign was a critical time for putting the building blocks in place for local SEO success.

Local SEO: The Proof Is in The Pudding

Investing in a local SEO marketing strategy can help to drive valuable leads to your local business. Local SEO is not like those other SEO fad trends; it’s here to stay and will only continue to become more relevant as technology continues to develop. Local search marketing is still in its infancy – businesses that take advantage of local SEO opportunities will be one step ahead of their competition and will benefit from lucrative lead generation.

Local SEO is the key to enhancing online presence, building domain authority, and connecting with high converting local customers. If you’d like to learn more about what a local SEO campaign can do for your local business, you can get in touch with one of our Local SEO specialists at Safari Digital today.