Kelsey Forecasts Mobile/Local Search Growth
Some interesting forecast stats in a release today from The Kelsey Group. These are predictions for the growth of mobile/local search between now and 2013:
- The percentage of mobile searches that have local intent will increase from 28 percent in 2008 to 35 percent in 2013.
- Currently there are 54.5 million mobile Internet users in the United States, representing 25 percent of online users.
- Approximately 15 percent of iPhone applications are local.
Kelsey also forecasts a big jump in mobile ad revenues, from $160 million in 2008 to $3.1 billion in 2013.
Whether the numbers are right or not, I have no doubt the trend is accurate. Smartphones are driving an increase in on-the-go Internet use, and smart small businesses need to take care of local SEO now.
Smart phones are a rising factor in local search. But I think it’s the way we interface with them that will make local search so critical in the very near future.
Already, with Google maps on your smart phone, you can talk into your phone and GM will spot your location via the GPS, and give you a list of businesses near you that have what you’re looking for. Then, with the click of a button, you can get directions to the business of your choice.
This type of interface is in the baby stages. More neat tools like this will make local search more and more important.
JR – agreed with you 100%. This is very early in the game. Should be fun to watch where it all goes.