Local SEO Statistics for 2026: Consumer Search Behavior, Google Business Profile, Reviews, and Ranking Factors

In 2026, local SEO is the front door to physical commerce. Nearly every consumer in the United States uses online search to find, evaluate, and choose local businesses before spending a dollar in person or making a phone call. The data confirms the scale: 98% of consumers search online for nearby businesses, 80% do so every week, and 32% look up local business information multiple times per day. For every 100 Google searches, roughly 46 carry local intent, and 76% of near me mobile searches result in a physical store visit within 24 hours.

The Google Business Profile has emerged as the most consequential piece of owned media for any local business. In 2024, Google reviews accounted for 81% of all online review volume globally, up from 79% in 2023. Businesses in the Google local 3-pack receive 126% more traffic and 93% more actions than those ranked positions four through ten. Consumers are 2.7 times more likely to consider a business reputable if they find a complete Google Business Profile, and 70% more likely to visit that business in person.

The review landscape is also shifting at pace. The 2026 BrightLocal Local Consumer Review Survey found that 97% of consumers read reviews online, 41% always read reviews when browsing for businesses (up from 29% the year prior), and use of ChatGPT and generative AI for local recommendations has risen from 6% to 45% in a single year. Meanwhile, Google’s share of reviews has dipped from 83% in 2025 to 71% in 2026 as video platforms including YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok gain ground as non-traditional review surfaces.

This article compiles 75+ local SEO statistics organized across nine thematic sections, drawn from the latest figures published within the last two years by primary research institutions including BrightLocal, SOCi, Whitespark, Think with Google, BirdEye, Backlinko, and the Near Media research team. Every statistic is atomic, individually sourced, and linked directly to its original study or publication.

Scope and Methodology

Includes only publicly available local SEO statistics relevant for 2026.
Based on the latest figures published within the last two years.
Sources include primary research, first-party platform data, institutional studies, and industry reports.
Each statistic is listed separately with its original source and study context.
No estimates, forecasts, interpretations, or recommendations are included.

Key Local SEO Statistics for 2026

98% of consumers search online for nearby companies, up from 90% in 2019, based on a 2025 study cited in WiserReview Local SEO Statistics 2026.
80% of U.S. consumers search for local businesses online on a weekly basis, and 32% search for them daily, based on the 2024 SOCi Consumer Behavior Index cited in BrightLocal Local SEO Statistics.
76% of near me mobile searches lead to a store visit within 24 hours, based on data cited in WiserReview Local SEO Statistics 2026.
Businesses in the Google local 3-pack receive 126% more traffic and 93% more actions such as calls, website clicks, and direction requests compared to businesses ranked positions 4 to 10, based on the 2023 SOCi Consumer Behavior Index cited in SOCi Local SEO Statistics.
97% of consumers read reviews online, and 41% of consumers always read reviews when browsing for businesses in 2026, up from 29% the year prior, based on the 2026 Local Consumer Review Survey by BrightLocal.
42% of searchers click on Google map pack results for local queries, based on a 2024 study by Backlinko, cited in BrightLocal Local SEO Statistics.
Customers are 2.7 times more likely to consider a business reputable if they find a complete Google Business Profile on Google Search and Maps, based on data published by Google Business Profile Help.
Google reviews accounted for 81% of all online review volume globally in 2024, up from 79% in 2023, based on the State of Google Business Profile 2025 study by BirdEye.
Use of ChatGPT and other generative AI tools for local business recommendations rose from 6% in 2025 to 45% in 2026, making it the third most popular source of business recommendations, based on the 2026 Local Consumer Review Survey by BrightLocal.
94% of high-performing brands have a dedicated local marketing strategy, compared to 60% of average-performing brands, based on the 2024 Brand Beacon Report cited in BrightLocal Local SEO Statistics.
On-page signals account for 36% of local search ranking influence, followed by link signals at 26% and behavioral signals at 9%, based on the Whitespark Local Search Ranking Factors Survey cited in SEOProfy Local SEO Statistics.
28% of local searches result in a purchase, based on data cited in Loopex Digital Local SEO Statistics.

Consumer Search Behavior Statistics

72% of consumers use Google to search for local business information, but this drops to 61% for consumers aged 18 to 24, based on the 2024 SOCi Consumer Behavior Index cited in BrightLocal Local SEO Statistics.
67% of consumers aged 18 to 24 use Instagram for local business information, followed by 62% using TikTok, based on the 2024 SOCi Consumer Behavior Index cited in BrightLocal Local SEO Statistics.
Two in five consumers (39%) estimated that at least 41% of their searches are dedicated to finding information about local businesses, based on the BrightLocal Consumer Search Behavior survey of 1,000 U.S. consumers cited in BrightLocal Consumer Search Behavior Research.
One in five consumers conducts local searches directly within maps apps including Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Bing Maps, based on the BrightLocal Consumer Search Behavior survey cited in BrightLocal Consumer Search Behavior Research.
62% of consumers would avoid using a business if they found incorrect information online, based on the Local Business Discovery and Trust Report 2023 cited in BrightLocal Local SEO Statistics.
As of 2024, there are approximately 5.9 million near me keywords in the U.S., generating 800 million searches per month using a variation of the phrase, based on data cited in Cube Creative Design Local SEO Statistics.
The phrase open now near me has seen a 400% increase in search usage over the prior period, based on Think with Google data cited in Cube Creative Design Local SEO Statistics.
55% of consumers visit a retailer’s website before shopping at a physical location, based on a 2025 data compilation by Capital One Shopping Research.
87% of consumers use Google to evaluate local businesses, based on data cited in Cube Creative Design Local SEO Statistics.
82% of smartphone users rely on search engines to find local businesses, based on data cited in Cube Creative Design Local SEO Statistics.

Google Business Profile Statistics

86% of all Google Business Profile views come from category-based searches, such as dentist open now or best dog groomer, based on a 2025 study of GBP performance data by BirdEye State of Google Business Profile.
48% of Google Business Profile interactions were website visits in 2024, 34% were direction requests, and 17% were phone calls, based on a 2025 study by BirdEye State of Google Business Profile.
Customers are 70% more likely to visit and 50% more likely to consider purchasing from businesses with a complete Google Business Profile, based on data published by Google Business Profile Help.
64% of businesses have verified their Google Business Profiles as of 2025, based on data cited in Faith Amaole How to Rank in Google’s Local 3-Pack.
64% of consumers have looked to Google Business Profile for contact information, based on data cited in Krofile Local SEO Statistics.
Businesses with more than 200 reviews on Google are more likely to appear in one of the top three positions in local search results, averaging nearly 250 reviews, based on analysis of 2 million Google Business Profile pages by Localo, cited in Blogging Wizard GBP Statistics.
Businesses in positions 4 to 10 in local search have fewer than 200 reviews on average, and businesses in positions 11 to 20 have just over 150 reviews, based on analysis of 2 million GBP pages by Localo, cited in Blogging Wizard GBP Statistics.
Complete, regularly updated Google Business Profiles achieve 30 to 50% more engagement than incomplete ones, based on data cited in Digital Blacksmiths Google Business Profile Rankings and Conversions.
44% of all local search results contain a featured photo in summary listings, based on the SOCi Consumer Behavior Index cited in SOCi Local SEO Statistics.
Multi-location brands achieve 33.4% Google 3-pack presence for their most competitive keywords, up from 23.8% in 2022, based on the SOCi Consumer Behavior Index cited in SOCi Local SEO Statistics.

Online Reviews Statistics

83% of consumers use Google to find local business reviews in 2025, based on the 2025 Local Consumer Review Survey by BrightLocal.
Google’s share of consumer review usage dipped from 83% in 2025 to 71% in 2026, as video platforms and AI tools gain ground as alternative review sources, based on the 2026 Local Consumer Review Survey by BrightLocal.
Apple Maps nearly doubled in consumer review usage from 14% in 2025 to 27% in 2026, based on the 2026 Local Consumer Review Survey by BrightLocal.
74% of consumers use at least two review platforms when researching businesses, and 34% use three or more, based on the 2025 Local Consumer Review Survey by BrightLocal.
76% of U.S. consumers consume video content when looking for review information about local businesses, based on the 2025 Local Consumer Review Survey by BrightLocal.
88% of consumers say they would use a business that responds to both positive and negative reviews, while only 47% would consider using a business that does not respond to reviews at all, based on the 2024 Local Consumer Review Survey by BrightLocal.
71% of consumers would not consider using a business with an average review rating below three stars, based on the 2024 Local Consumer Review Survey by BrightLocal.
91% of consumers say that local branch reviews of a multi-location brand impact their overall perceptions of that brand in some way, based on the 2024 Local Consumer Review Survey by BrightLocal.
88% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations from friends and family, based on data cited in Cube Creative Design Local SEO Statistics.
93% of consumers say online reviews affect their buying decisions for local businesses, based on data cited in Cube Creative Design Local SEO Statistics.
Review signals contribute to 17% of Google local pack ranking factors, based on the Whitespark Local Search Ranking Factors Survey cited in BrightLocal Online Reviews Statistics.
20% of consumers wrote more than 10 reviews in 2025, and just 7% wrote more than 50, based on the 2026 Local Consumer Review Survey by BrightLocal.

Ranking Factor Statistics

The primary Google Business Profile category is the number one local ranking factor for the local pack, receiving the highest expert score of 193 in the Whitespark survey of 149 local search ranking factors, based on the Whitespark Local Search Ranking Factors Survey cited in Blogging Wizard GBP Statistics.
Keywords in the Google Business Profile business title ranked second among local pack ranking factors with a score of 181, followed by proximity of address to the point of search with a score of 176, based on the Whitespark Local Search Ranking Factors Survey cited in Backlinko Local SEO Statistics.
36% of local SEO professionals consider on-page elements to be the top ranking factor for local organic search results, based on the Whitespark Local Search Ranking Factors Survey cited in BrightLocal Local SEO Statistics.
32% of local SEO professionals believe that Google Business Profile is the most essential factor to rank well in the map pack, based on a BrightLocal industry survey cited in SEOProfy Local SEO Statistics.
75% of marketers believe that the use of Google Business Profile features affects local search rankings, based on a Moz survey cited in SEOProfy Local SEO Statistics.
Google may use up to 149 distinct ranking factors for local searches, based on the Whitespark Local Search Ranking Factors survey cited in Backlinko Local SEO Statistics.
Incorrect primary category selection in Google Business Profile is the most impactful negative local ranking factor, receiving a score of 176 in the Whitespark expert survey, based on the Whitespark Local Search Ranking Factors Survey cited in Blogging Wizard GBP Statistics.

Mobile and Near Me Search Statistics

30% of all Google mobile searches are related to location, based on data from Keywords Everywhere cited in Cube Creative Design Local SEO Statistics.
61% of mobile searchers are more likely to contact a local business if it has a mobile-friendly website, based on data cited in Cube Creative Design Local SEO Statistics.
78% of local mobile searches result in an offline purchase, based on data cited in Loopex Digital Local SEO Statistics.
88% of smartphone users conduct a local search and visit or call the business within a day, based on data cited in Loopex Digital Local SEO Statistics.
Nearly 87% of smartphone users perform searches at least once per day, with mobile-optimized sites prioritized for local rankings, based on data cited in WiserReview Local SEO Statistics 2026.
58% of consumers have used voice search to find local business information in the past year, based on data cited in Hook Agency Local SEO Statistics.
Nearly 1 in 3 users perform voice searches daily, based on data cited in Hook Agency Local SEO Statistics.

AI and Local Search Statistics

32% of U.S. adults believe AI would provide a better experience and outcome than typical search when looking for a local business, based on a 2024 study by Near Media cited in BrightLocal Local SEO Statistics.
45% of consumers in 2026 use ChatGPT or other generative AI tools for local business recommendations, up from 6% the prior year, based on the 2026 Local Consumer Review Survey by BrightLocal.
ChatGPT Search shows business websites for 58% of its local search sources, followed by business mentions at 27% and online directories at 15%, based on the Uncovering ChatGPT Search Sources study cited in BrightLocal Local SEO Statistics.
88% of multi-location marketers use generative AI within their organizations, based on the 2024 Brand Beacon Report cited in BrightLocal Local SEO Statistics.
36% of high-performing brands use AI to a great extent in their local marketing, compared to 13% of average-performing brands, based on the 2024 Brand Beacon Report cited in BrightLocal Local SEO Statistics.
59% of local agency marketers want to develop their AI and machine learning skills, based on the 2024 Local Marketing Industry Survey cited in BrightLocal Local SEO Statistics.
92% of local SEO and marketing professionals have experimented with ChatGPT, based on an eMarketer survey cited in Backlinko Local SEO Statistics.

Industry-Specific Statistics

Restaurant bookings from local search increased 654% year-over-year in Q1 2024, based on a 2024 study by Rio SEO cited in Krofile Local SEO Statistics.
93% of people check online menus before visiting a restaurant, based on data from OpenTable cited in Krofile Local SEO Statistics.
62% of consumers use Google search to look for a restaurant, based on a study by Semrush cited in Krofile Local SEO Statistics.
Hotel impressions on Google Business Profile increased 9.9% quarter-over-quarter and 7.7% year-over-year in Q2 2024, based on data cited in Krofile Local SEO Statistics.
Location is the top retention factor for gym members, with 50% citing it as their reason for staying, followed by positive staff interactions at 45% and quality equipment at 38%, based on a study by Perfect GYM cited in Krofile Local SEO Statistics.
Local SEO is considered critical for all small businesses including gyms, salons, auto repair shops, and food trucks, based on the SOCi Consumer Behaviour Index cited in Krofile Local SEO Statistics.

Regional and Market Statistics

The top five most trusted platforms consumers use to find information about local businesses are Google at 66%, Google Maps at 45%, business websites at 36%, Facebook at 32%, and Yelp at 32%, based on BrightLocal Consumer Search Behavior data cited in Backlinko Local SEO Statistics.
In 2024, 81% of consumers used Google to research local businesses, down from 87% in 2023, based on the Reboot Online Local SEO Statistics report sourced from BrightLocal data cited in Reboot Online Local SEO Statistics.
Facebook is the second most popular local business information source, used by 45% of consumers in 2024, followed by Yelp at 44% and Tripadvisor at 21%, based on data cited in Reboot Online Local SEO Statistics.
43% of U.S. consumers used local news channels for local business research in 2024, up from 35% in 2023, based on data cited in Reboot Online Local SEO Statistics.
YouTube usage for local business research dropped from 35% in 2023 to 32% in 2024, while Instagram grew to 34% and TikTok grew to 23%, based on data cited in Reboot Online Local SEO Statistics.
37% of consumers in 2024 require at least a four out of five star rating before considering using a local business, making it the most cited rating threshold, based on data cited in Reboot Online Local SEO Statistics.

References

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