IAC/InterActiveCorp’s Ask.com has revamped and renamed its local search service, becoming the latest search engine provider to improve its offering in what is considered one of the most popular search segments for both advertisers and end users.Ask.com plans to unveil the new service, called AskCity, on Monday, and said it will contain the largest integration of IAC online services to date.AskCity taps IAC services such as CitySearch, Ticketmaster and ServiceMagic, among others, to deliver listings and reviews of local businesses, along with maps and driving directions. It will also let users perform actions from within its interface, including making a restaurant reservation, buying tickets to movies and other events, and making an appointment with a contractor. Ask.com doesn’t have plans to monetize AskCity at this point, according to a company official, but estimates for the advertising potential of local search services are very optimistic. Advertising revenue in local search is expected to grow from US$3.4 billion in 2005 to $13 billion in 2010, according to The Kelsey Group. Local search has proved attractive for users as well, because the services significantly extend the concept of the traditional yellow-pages phone directory by providing maps, driving directions, reviews and the like.-Juan Carlos Perez, IDG News Service (Miami Bureau)Related Link: Google Answers to Be Shut DownCheck out our CIO News Alerts and Tech Informer pages for more updated news coverage. Related content news Zendesk to lay off another 8% of its staff, cites macroeconomic issues The new tranche of layoffs comes just six months after the company let go of 300 staffers and hired a new CEO in order to navigate its operations through macroeconomic distress. By Anirban Ghoshal Jun 01, 2023 3 mins CRM Systems IT Jobs feature 5 CxOs on leading change To be the agents of change that businesses require today, IT leaders must embrace a flexible mindset, prep their orgs for change, and recognize that intention and purpose are vital to empowering transformation. By Dan Roberts Jun 01, 2023 13 mins Digital Transformation Change Management IT Leadership feature Top 8 data engineer and data architect certifications Data engineers and data architects are in high demand. Here are the certifications that will give your career an edge. By Thor Olavsrud Jun 01, 2023 9 mins Certifications Big Data Data Mining events promotion Australia's CIO50 Team of the Year Awards finalists revealed Along with the unveiling of the annual CIO50 List and the team category winners, the 2023 CIO50 Awards will also recognise the inaugural Next CIO winner and a new Hall of Fame recipient. By Cathy O'Sullivan May 31, 2023 3 mins IDG Events Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe