Google Local

0Michael Rawlins • 27th Feb 2010 • Internet, Social Media • Google, GPS, hyperlocal, Local, Search, Social Media, Talk About Local

Released with little in the way of a fanfare Google seems to have rolled out ‘Local’ to it’s search results, according to the Google Blog location has become more important in the way we search. I guess this is due to the fact that more and more of us are using smart phones with GPS built in to them.

You may or may not have noticed the local results in your Google searches, they are there but not at the top of the search list they are just there in the middle. Another reason why you may not have noticed them is because by default the local results will be based on where your IP address is based. Mine is for some inexplicable reason in Chesterfield, so my search for Computer Shops returned.

Computer shops in Chesterfield is not a lot of use to me so I need to tell Google that I am actually in Stoke-on-Trent, to do this is quite simple, but interestingly not part of the the normal Google settings. If you notice next to the title about Local Business Results there is a hyperlink to Change Location click on here and set your default location (don’t worry you can always repeat this and select another location)

Change this to your town, city or postcode, make sure the remember me box is checked and press search.

Hey presto…

A new search is completed based on the new location information I have given Google.

Local search is probably more useful on your smart phone of choice. If you go to Google using your smart phone you will see an new option on the menu.

Clicking on this will allow you to give permission to Google Local to use your location data from the GPS in your phone to provide you with local search results.  I tried this on the train last night and found a whole raft of Chinese Takeaways in Tewkesbury.

I’m sure the tinfoil hat brigade will have something to say about privacy and big brother but to be quite honest I quite like the idea that I can find a local Chinese takeaway even if I don’t know where I am.