The Growth of “Near Me” Searches
Searching Habits Are Changing – Are You Being Found?
One of the fastest growing search trends is an increase in ‘near me’ searches. It’s no surprise that these searches have increased, most people want to find the most convenient business for their needs. As people change the way they search, search engines, which I will now just refer to as Google, have also had to adjust. Searching habits have changed nearly as often as Google has updated its algorithms and search layouts. Search engines have always had the goal of providing users with the most relevant search results which is why they also adjusted their search results. If a user is looking for an auto shop, they will no longer be directed to the “Best Auto Repair Shop” that is 50 miles away.
For some, typing in “near me” after a search might have been the way you have been searching. If you were that person, you were about five years ahead of the rest of the world. It wasn’t until recently that this trend took off for most searchers. Take a look at the growth of the search “auto repair shop near me.” In just five years, that one search has gained a tremendous amount of interest worldwide.
What Made “Near Me” Searches Increase?
The numbers don’t lie, these types of searches have increased 34X since 2011 and are commonly from a mobile device. Why is this? Why did people suddenly start changing the way they search? A few reasons include:
- Information is right at their fingertips – For most of us, mobile devices are with us at all times. This allows us the ability to be that much more informed and able to find the answer immediately. In the case of auto repair shops, users are able to look for the closest shop near them in that moment.
- Travel – When you’re away from your everyday surroundings, you’re more likely to type in a “near me” search. You know what you need but you don’t know where to find it. Research has shown a 55% increase in “near me” searches during Christmas and New Years.
- Purchasing Power – After a “near me” search on a smartphone, 50% of consumers visit the store within one day and 18% of those searches then lead to a purchase. People are much more likely to visit the business once they know the business has what they need close by. If your shop is showing up locally, you have a much better chance of bringing in new customers searching for you nearby.
Improving Your Mobile Results
We have become so accustomed to getting immediate answers that we expect the item we’re looking for in our hand quickly as well. Businesses should expect searches like this and there are ways to help your auto shop be prepared for “near me” searches. One of the first steps your shop can take in helping your website come up is to update your Google My Business page. This page is like a personal business summary. Use this page to update your NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) and have it shown correctly across Google Maps. Make sure you’re showing the correct information across Google so that the customers searching for you are not being directed to the wrong place or not seeing your shop at all.
If you were to search “auto repair + [city]” and fill in your City name, you will most likely be directed to a few different auto repair shops in your city. They will probably be organized by the city and may not completely use your physical location when pulling results. Instead, if you search “auto repair near me,” Google will consider your location and show you results of auto repair shops within your vicinity. With much more reliable results, it’s no question that this will be the most ideal way of searching as location based searches continue to improve.
Shops With Multiple Locations Have An Edge
If you an auto shop with more than one location, this “near me” trend could be an especially powerful tool. Shops with multiple locations have the opportunity to take advantage of this trend because there are more available options for searches to run across. If your auto shop has three locations, you will have three pinpoints on Google Maps. This means that your shops have the opportunity to show up in three different areas in searches. As long as your NAP information is correct for each business your shops are more likely to show up. Don’t forget to claim a listing for each location if you have more than one. Encourage your customers to submit reviews for each listing as well to help solidify your reputation in your area.
Future Trends In Local Search
This trend isn’t going away anytime soon. In fact, there are even more terms related to “near me” that are also generating more searches. The terms “closest” and “nearby” have also seen an increase in searches every month. Not surprisingly, 80% of these searches are from a mobile device. Mobile devices have given us the power to have fast and accurate results.
While “near me” may be the current trend in search, we’re always seeing updates from how people search and how search engines produce results. Mobile phones are leading to some of the biggest changes in search. With the information available in the palm of our hand, we are expecting more from search engines. These types of changes are helping businesses and consumers get the most accurate results in their area.