So I just read a blog post by Matt McGee over at Search Engine Land about local results in Yahoo. So I was inspired to write my own quick blog post. See the screen shot below of what a local search looks like for when I searched for: dentist. Matt points out that Yahoo was late to the game in this space but have made some improvements. Bing and Google both check your IP address when performing a local search while Yahoo actually checks your zip code that is listed in your Yahoo account if you have one.
So I know what you’re thinking. What if I don’t have a Yahoo account. Well I just did another search which is also below after I signed out of my Yahoo account and sure enough they’re also tracking the IP since they new the search was happening in Los Angeles. The IP however is not as accurate as my zip code since the first search result pulled up dentists that were closer. I’m sure Google and Bing will follow suit now!
Make sure and check out the original blog post by Matt McGee that talks about the Yahoo local results.
Now, I’m no computer genius here (see my latest blog for further proof), but isn’t it a bit odd that the IP-powered search was not as fruitful/accurate as the zip code-powered search? Perhaps I am only revealing the fact that I don’t fully understand what an IP address is in the first place, but my rough understanding is that it would pinpoint EXACTLY where the user (with his BFF the computer, naturally) is at the very moment he performs the search…much more precise than a zip code, no?
I’m guessing no. Ha.
Great blog!
Fascinating article…I’d love to learn more about yahoo local results. Riveting stuff.