Yahoo launches local search

Yahoo has officially launched it's local search, Yahoo Local, out of beta testing as part of a move to give Web surfers more exact and more comprehensive local-search results.

Many consumers use the global power of the Internet to locate local providers of services and merchandise. With Yahoo Local, consumers can to identify such merchants and service companies and may perhaps be more inclined to shop from them online, knowing there is a nearby outlet in the event they need to return the merchandise or have questions.

As a result of the beta testing, there is an improved relevance algorithm to deliver more precise local results as well as additional data sources, streamlined rating and review systems, improved integration of driving directions from Yahoo Maps, and improved interfaces for narrowing and sorting results by price, rating and distance.

Merchants can ensure placement on Yahoo Local in the U.S. by signing up with Overture Local Match, a subsidiary of Yahoo.

Yahoo Local is available at local.yahoo.com.