What Does the FTC Have to do with Local Search?

Quite possibly, a lot.

Earlier this week, the FTC banned “robocalls” — automated telemarketing phone calls — and said the new rule also applies even if there’s a pre-existing business relationship between the company making the call and the recipient/customer. That CNET article describes the two stages to this new rule:

By December 2008, robocalls will be required to include an automated key-press or voice-activated opt-out. Beginning September 2009, telemarketers won’t be able to send out any robocalls without “the prior express written agreement of the recipient to receive such calls.”

So, what does it have to do with local search and small businesses?

Hopefully, it means angry small business owners can stop leaving comments on this post after getting robocalls about their business listings. That would be nice….