Ask.com to Revamp Local Search

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 Down

Check out our CIO News Alerts and Tech Informer pages for more updated news coverage.