Most local businesses rely on word-of-mouth and hope customers find them. I thought that was enough too.
Here’s what changed everything: 1.5 billion “near me” searches happen monthly. 46% of all Google searches are local. While you’re waiting for referrals, customers are actively searching for businesses like yours right now.
I have created this guide of 75+ local SEO statistics that reveal where your customers are looking in 2025 – and the Local SEO advantages that put you in front of them first.
Top 10 Local SEO Statistics That Matter Most
Let me cut straight to the chase. These 10 statistics reveal exactly why local businesses are winning big in 2025:
1. 46% of all Google searches have local intent. Nearly half of everyone searching on Google wants something nearby. Your customers aren’t just browsing – they’re hunting for local solutions. (Forbes)
2. 1.5 billion “near me” searches happen every month. That’s 50 million local searches every single day. Every hour, 2 million people are looking for businesses in their area. (Red Local SEO)
3. 76% of people who search for local businesses visit within 24 hours. Local searches don’t just create awareness – they create foot traffic fast. (Google)
4. 80% of local searches convert into customers. Compare that to the 2-3% conversion rate of most online advertising. Local search intent is pure gold. (KeywordsEverywhere)
5. 93% of local pack clicks go to the top 3 results. If you’re not in the top three, you’re practically invisible. The local pack isn’t a participation trophy. (Red Local SEO)
6. Customers are 70% more likely to visit and 50% more likely to make a purchase from a business with a complete Google Business Profile. (Google)
7. 71% of consumers read online reviews before visiting a local business. Reviews aren’t just nice to have anymore – they’re the backbone of your local marketing game. (Backlinko)
8. 72% of consumers visit stores within 5 miles of their search location. Local search creates real, walking customers. Not just website visitors. (Soci)
9. 58% of local searches happen on mobile devices. More than half your customers are searching on their phones – usually when they’re ready to visit or buy immediately. (Saga Pixel)
10. Local SEO campaigns deliver 500%+ ROI for 40% of businesses. When done right, local SEO doesn’t just work – it pays for itself five times over. (Finances Online)
Local SEO Statistics for Restaurants
The restaurant game has changed – customers now taste your online presence before they taste your food.
1. 90% of diners research restaurants online before making dining decisions. Your menu, photos, and reviews are being checked before customers even walk through your door. (WebFx)
2. 64% of consumers click on the top 3 local search results when looking for restaurants. The local pack isn’t just helpful – it’s where restaurant decisions happen. (Restaurant HQ)
3. 62% of consumers use Google search to look for a restaurant. (SemRush)
4. Restaurant bookings from local search increased 654% year-over-year in Q1 2024. Local search doesn’t just create awareness – it drives actual reservations. (Rio SEO)
5. 93% of people check online menus before visiting a restaurant. Your digital menu is your first impression, not your physical one. (Open Table)
6. 59% of diners use Facebook for restaurant discovery, while 35% use Instagram. Social platforms have become primary restaurant discovery channels, not just marketing tools. (Toast Tab)
Also read: 5 Local SEO Tips for Restaurants to Get More Walk-ins
Local SEO Statistics for Hotels
The hospitality game has changed – guests book you before they even call you.
1. Hotel impressions increased 9.9% quarter-over-quarter and 7.7% year-over-year in Q2 2024. Hotels investing in local SEO are seeing consistent search visibility growth.
2. Hotel clicks grew 8.1% quarterly and 12.4% year-over-year in Q2 2024. More hotel searches are converting to website visits and calls than ever before. (Rio SEO)
3. Hotel Local Search Performance Q2 2024:
| Metric | Q2 2024 Growth | Year-over-Year | Impact |
| Total Impressions | +9.9% | +7.7% | Higher visibility |
| Total Clicks | +8.1% | +12.4% | More engagement |
| Clicks to Call | +9%+ | Growing | Direct bookings |
| Clicks for Directions | +9%+ | Growing | Foot traffic |
| Bookings | -24.7% | -17% | Seasonal decline |
4. Revenue per available room increased 3.3% in May 2024. Hotels are generating more revenue even with booking challenges.
5. Short-term rentals demand grew 13% compared to 1.5% hotel demand increase. Hotels face growing competition from Airbnb and vacation rental platforms.
Also read: How to Do Local SEO for Hotels in 2025
Local SEO Statistics for Retail and E-Commerce
Online shoppers want to touch, feel, and buy locally before committing.
1. 78% of location-based mobile searches result in an offline purchase. Retail searches drive actual store visits and purchases. (WebFx)
2. 28% of searches for something nearby lead to a purchase. Nearly one in three local retail searches convert to sales. (SEO Profy)
3. 56% of consumers use unbranded, generic search terms. Shoppers search for “shoes near me” instead of specific brand names. (Search Engine Land)
Local SEO Statistics for Doctors
Patients research their healthcare decisions like they research restaurants.
1. 91% of consumers use reviews to evaluate local businesses. Medical reviews heavily influence patient choice decisions. (Soci Discovery report)
2. Healthcare brands saw substantially increased local search impressions and clicks in Q1 2024. However in Q2 2024, the impression dropped to – 11.9% and clicks to – 17%. Medical practices investing in local SEO see measurable patient growth. (Rio SEO)
3. Patient Decision Factors (In Order of Priority):
- Quality of Care – 62% rate as high priority
- Accuracy of Information – 60% rate as high priority
- Cost/Insurance – 56% rate as high priority
- Proximity/Location – 51% rate as high priority
- Staff Friendliness – 46% rate as high priority
- Online Reviews – 42% rate as high priority
- Brand Reputation – 39% rate as high priority
4. 65% are more likely to choose a business that responds to reviews. Doctors who engage with patient reviews win more appointments.
5. 83% use search engines monthly for local discovery. Patients rely heavily on Google to find healthcare providers.
6. Brand reputation ranks 7th in importance when making purchase decisions. Patients prioritize convenience and reviews over hospital/practice reputation.
(Soci Discovery Report)
Local SEO Statistics for Small Businesses
Small businesses have the local advantage – if they use it right.
1. 80% of US consumers search online for local businesses on a weekly basis, and 32% search daily. Local SEO is critical for all small businesses including gyms, salons, auto repair shops, and food trucks. (Soci Consumer Behaviour)
2. Small Business Local Search Performance by Industry:
| Industry | Weekly Search Rate | Mobile Conversion | Local Pack CTR | Review Dependency |
| Gyms/Fitness | 88% visit within a week | 76% search weekly | 64% click top 3 | 71% avoid <3 stars |
| Auto Repair | 45% visit after search | 39.8% CTR (position 1) | 64% click top 3 | 88% want review responses |
| Beauty/Spas | 67% use Instagram | 62% use TikTok | 64% click top 3 | 71% avoid <3 stars |
| Food Trucks | 60% millennials ate last year | 86.9% use Facebook | 42% click map pack | 88% want review responses |
| Salons/Multi-location | 33.4% achieve 3-pack | 67% Gen Z use Instagram | 64% click top 3 | 62% avoid incorrect info |
3. Location is the top retention factor for gym members, with 50% citing it as their reason for staying, followed by positive staff interactions (45%) and quality equipment (38%). (Perfect GYM)
4. Multi-location brands achieve 33.4% Google 3-pack presence for competitive keywords. Up from 23.8% in 2022, showing significant improvement opportunities for salon chains and auto repair franchises. (Local Ranking)
5. The global Beauty & Personal Care market is projected to generate US$677.19bn in revenue in 2025, with expected annual growth of 3.37% (CAGR 2025-2030). Personal Care represents the largest market segment, with an estimated volume of US$293.08bn in 2025. (Statista)
6. Food truck industry grows at 10% CAGR with 60% of millennials eating from trucks yearly. 86.9% of operators use Facebook for promotion, making local SEO crucial for discovery. (Restaurant HQ)
Local SEO Statistics for Mobile Search
Mobile is where your customers are looking for you now and these stats cement this statement:
1. Mobile users are 5x more likely to call a business directly from search results. Mobile searches drive immediate phone calls, not just website visits.
2. Mobile vs Desktop Local Search Behavior:
| Behavior | Mobile | Desktop | Key Difference |
| Search Frequency | 58% | 42% | Mobile dominates |
| Call Rate | 5x higher | Baseline | Mobile drives calls |
| Visit Rate | 78% | 45% | Mobile drives visits |
| Purchase Rate | 78% | 52% | Mobile converts better |
| Time to Action | 24 hours | 2-3 days | Mobile acts faster |
3. Local mobile searches are growing 50% faster than overall mobile searches. Local intent on mobile is exploding compared to general searches. (Synup)
5. 30% of Google mobile searches are location-related. One in three mobile searches has local intent. (Think with Google)
Local SEO Statistics on Voice Search
Since the arrival of voice assistance like Siri and Alexa, people have started frequently using voice to ease their research. More and more people are replacing conventional text search with voice search.
1. 76% of smart speaker users conduct local searches at least weekly. Voice search for local businesses is a weekly habit, not occasional use. (BrightLocal)
2. Voice Search Local Intent Breakdown:
- “Near me” queries: 76% of voice searches
- Business hours: 68% ask about open/closed status
- Directions: 60% request navigation to businesses
- Phone numbers: 55% ask for contact information
- Reviews/ratings: 45% inquire about business reputation
- Services offered: 40% ask about specific offerings
2. Voice searches are 3x more likely to be used for local queries than text searches. Local businesses need voice optimization more than general businesses. (WordStream)
3. 72% of smart speaker owners use voice search to find local business information. Voice assistants are becoming local business discovery tools.
5. 27% of users visit a local business website after conducting a voice search. Voice searches drive website traffic and business engagement.
Local SEO Statistics on AI
AI is reshaping how customers discover and choose local businesses.
1. 19% of customers use AI tools like ChatGPT monthly for local discovery. AI search is becoming a legitimate local business discovery channel.
2. 32% of US adults think AI provides a better local search experience than traditional search. AI search satisfaction is growing for local business queries.
3. AI Local Search Source Breakdown (ChatGPT):
| Source Type | Percentage | What This Means |
| Business Websites | 58% | AI drives traffic to your site |
| Business Mentions | 27% | Third-party content matters |
| Online Directories | 15% | Directory listings still valuable |
3. Nearly all local SEO and marketing professionals (92%) have tried using ChatGPT for their work. Many of these marketers also use other AI tools, with Gemini being popular among 41% of them, while about a quarter use Copilot, Jasper, or Copy.ai. (Digital Silk)
4. Gen Z uses AI tools but trusts them less for local search. Younger users are cautious about AI recommendations for local businesses.
5. 88% of multi-location marketers use generative AI in their organizations. Enterprise brands are integrating AI into local marketing strategies. (BrightLocal)
Local SEO Statistics on Google Business Profile
Your Google Business Profile is your digital storefront – optimize it or lose customers.
1. Businesses with complete Google Business Profiles get 50% more customers than usual. Profile completion directly impacts customer choice decisions. (Backlinko)
2. Google Business Profile listings with complete information get 7x more clicks. Detailed profiles dramatically outperform incomplete ones. (Google Support)
3. Google Business Profile Completion Impact:
4. 42% of local searches result in clicks on Google Map Pack results. Google Business Profile visibility drives significant traffic.
5. 64% of consumers have looked to Google Business Profile for contact information. Your profile serves as the primary contact directory for customers.
Local SEO Statistics on Impact of Reviews
Reviews aren’t just feedback, they’re your competitive advantage or weakness.
1 While 27% of consumers now use only one website for reading reviews (up 4% from 2024), the majority (74%) still check two or more review platforms before choosing a local business. This highlights the importance for businesses to maintain consistent, quality reviews across multiple platforms like Google, Yelp, and TripAdvisor, not just their Google Business Profile. (Local Survey)
2. 55% of consumers say fake reviews are a growing concern. Review authenticity is becoming increasingly important for trust.
3. Review impact by star rating:
- 5 Stars: 89% of consumers will consider visiting
- 4-4.9 Stars: 82% will consider visiting
- 3-3.9 Stars: 52% will consider visiting
- 2-2.9 Stars: 15% will consider visiting
- Below 2 Stars: 3% will consider visiting
4. 88% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. Digital reviews carry the same weight as word-of-mouth referrals.
5. 65% are more likely to choose a business that responds to reviews. Review engagement directly influences customer selection decisions.
Also read: Get 10X More Google Reviews with Ease
Local SEO ROI and Budget Statistics
Last but not the least, Local SEO pays for itself – here’s the proof.
1. 40% of local SEO campaigns achieve 500%+ or better ROI. Nearly half of local SEO investments return 5x their cost. (SEO AI)
2. Local SEO leads have a 15% close rate. Local leads convert far higher than general marketing leads.
3. Average small business spends $501-$1000 monthly on local SEO. Accessible budget range for most small business owners. (Backlinko)
4. Average hourly rate for local SEO services is $128. Professional local SEO is affordable compared to other marketing services.
5. Local SEO industry is worth over $80 billion. Massive market validation of local SEO’s business impact and value.
Key Take Away
These local SEO statistics reveal one clear truth: local search behavior has fundamentally shifted. While 73% of customers discover businesses on social platforms and Gen Z uses 3.6 platforms before choosing, traditional ranking factors like Google Business Profile optimization and review management remain critical.
The businesses winning in 2025 understand that local SEO ranking factors now span multiple channels – from voice search optimization to AI discovery. Smart local business owners use these insights to dominate their neighborhoods while competitors struggle with outdated strategies.
I hope these stats gave you the insights to transform your local presence into your biggest competitive advantage.
