“Near Me” Searches Statistics: Trends, Growth, and Business Impact

“Near me” searches have become a fundamental part of local SEO, transforming how businesses attract nearby customers. These searches—such as “restaurants near me” or “gas station near me”—have surged in recent years due to the widespread use of mobile devices and voice assistants. Businesses optimizing for local search benefit from increased foot traffic, higher conversion rates, and greater brand visibility.

This article presents detailed statistics on Google “near me” searches, highlighting trends, growth, and industry impact. Understanding these stats can help marketers, business owners, and SEO professionals optimize their local search strategies.

1. Growth of ‘Near Me’ Search Stats

1. “Near me” searches grew by 136% in 2021 compared to 2019 (Source: Google Trends).
2. 76% of people conducting a “near me” search visit a business within 24 hours (Source: Think with Google).
3. 46% of all Google searches are seeking local information (Source: HubSpot).
4. “Near me” searches with the phrase “to buy” increased by 500% over the past two years (Source: Google Data).
5. 88% of consumers who perform a local search on their smartphone visit a related store within a week (Source: Google).
6. Mobile searches for “near me open now” have increased by over 400% in the last five years (Source: Think with Google).
7. 72% of consumers who perform a local search end up visiting a store within five miles (Source: HubSpot).
8. 50% of local search users visit a store the same day (Source: Search Engine Journal).
9. The phrase “near me now” has seen a 150% increase in searches year-over-year (Source: Google).
10. 92% of searchers pick a business on the first page of local search results (Source: SEO Tribunal).
11. Google reported that searches for “store open near me” increased by 250% in 2023 (Source: Think with Google).
12. 46% of voice searches are for local business information (Source: BrightLocal).
13. 78% of mobile location-based searches result in an offline purchase (Source: Comscore).
14. 82% of smartphone users use a search engine when looking for a local business (Source: Google).
15. Searches for “restaurants near me” consistently rank among the top 10 most searched “near me” queries (Source: Statista).

2. Mobile Usage and ‘Near Me’ Search Stats

1. 89% of “near me” searches are performed on a mobile device (Source: Google).
2. Mobile searches for “gas station near me” peak during holiday travel seasons (Source: Google Trends).
3. 76% of mobile local searches result in a phone call to a business (Source: Search Engine Land).
4. The average conversion rate for local searches on mobile is 2.7 times higher than non-local searches (Source: Google).
5. 60% of smartphone users have contacted a business directly from search results (Source: BrightLocal).
6. 90% of people trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations in local searches (Source: Local Consumer Review Survey).
7. Searches for “pharmacy near me” increased by 78% during the pandemic and remain high (Source: Google).
8. Mobile users are twice as likely to click on a business with complete Google My Business details (Source: Moz).
9. 70% of customers say location-based marketing influences their purchase decisions (Source: Factual).
10. 40% of mobile searches for local businesses result in an in-person visit within 24 hours (Source: Google).
11. 65% of smartphone users expect search results to be within 5 miles of their location (Source: Google).
12. “Open now near me” searches on mobile have surged 400% since 2018 (Source: Think with Google).
13. 85% of mobile users prefer Google Maps for local search results (Source: Statista).
14. 73% of consumers trust a business more if it has positive Google reviews (Source: BrightLocal).
15. Mobile “near me” searches generate 30% higher engagement rates than desktop searches (Source: Google).

3. Industry-Specific ‘Near Me’ Search Stats

1. 55% of “near me” searches are for restaurants (Source: Statista).
2. Searches for “grocery store near me” spiked 180% during the COVID-19 pandemic (Source: Google Trends).
3. 35% of local searches are related to service-based businesses like plumbers, electricians, and locksmiths (Source: BrightLocal).
4. “Hotel near me” searches grew by 60% in the past five years (Source: Google Data).
5. Searches for “urgent care near me” increased 200% in the last three years (Source: Google).
6. 85% of retail store visits begin with an online search (Source: Think with Google).
7. 62% of healthcare patients use search engines to find doctors nearby (Source: Pew Research).
8. “Coffee shop near me” is one of the top five most searched “near me” terms (Source: Statista).
9. 72% of automotive-related searches include local intent (Source: Google).
10. “Pet store near me” searches increased by 250% since 2020 (Source: Google Trends).
11. 80% of consumers prefer businesses with a physical location when searching locally (Source: BrightLocal).
12. “Bank near me” and “ATM near me” searches peak during payday weekends (Source: Google).
13. 74% of people looking for legal services use “near me” searches (Source: Avvo).
14. “Fast food near me” searches increase by 300% during evening hours (Source: Google Trends).
15. 90% of beauty salon customers search for services locally before booking (Source: Yelp).

4. Voice Search and ‘Near Me’ Search Stats

1. 46% of all voice searches are used to find local business information (Source: BrightLocal).
2. 58% of consumers use voice search to find information about local businesses (Source: Search Engine Journal).
3. “Near me” searches are among the top three most common voice search queries (Source: Google).
4. 76% of smart speaker users perform at least one local search per week (Source: NPR & Edison Research).
5. 27% of users say they visit a business’s website after finding it through voice search (Source: BrightLocal).
6. 61% of smartphone users are comfortable using voice search for local business inquiries (Source: Statista).
7. 28% of people who search for a local business via voice search call the business directly (Source: Search Engine Watch).
8. Voice searches for “restaurants near me” and “coffee shops near me” are the most frequent in local categories (Source: Statista).
9. 55% of teenagers use voice search daily to find local businesses (Source: Google).
10. 40% of adults use voice search at least once per day for local intent searches (Source: BrightLocal).
11. 72% of people who use voice search regularly expect spoken responses instead of text (Source: Google).
12. Businesses that optimize for voice search experience 1.8x higher engagement from local users (Source: Moz).
13. 43% of smart speaker users use their devices to make purchases from local businesses (Source: Capgemini).
14. “OK Google, find a gas station near me” is among the top five voice search requests (Source: Google Assistant Data).
15. The average speed of a voice search result is 4.6 seconds, making fast-loading local business websites crucial (Source: Backlinko).

5. User Behavior and ‘Near Me’ Search Stats

1. 76% of “near me” searches result in a store visit within 24 hours (Source: Think with Google).
2. 50% of local search users visit a store the same day (Source: Search Engine Journal).
3. 88% of local search users call or visit a business within one day (Source: Google).
4. 82% of shoppers use “near me” searches when making last-minute decisions (Source: Statista).
5. 60% of users expect businesses listed in local search results to be within five miles (Source: Google).
6. 78% of “near me” searches on mobile result in an offline purchase (Source: Comscore).
7. 64% of consumers say Google My Business listings influence their choice of a business (Source: BrightLocal).
8. 90% of users choose a business from the first page of search results (Source: SEO Tribunal).
9. 69% of users are more likely to visit a store with high online ratings (Source: BrightLocal).
10. 55% of consumers prefer businesses that provide accurate store hours in search results (Source: Google).
11. 70% of users click on the first three results in a local search (Source: Moz).
12. 67% of people are more likely to buy from a business that provides detailed location information (Source: Think with Google).
13. 45% of consumers say they use “near me” searches specifically when traveling (Source: Google).
14. 30% of “near me” searchers are looking for business promotions or deals (Source: BrightLocal).
15. 85% of consumers expect up-to-date business information in local search results (Source: Google).

6. Advertising and ROI on ‘Near Me’ Searches Stats

1. 78% of mobile local searches lead to an offline purchase (Source: Google).
2. Local search ads drive a 75% higher engagement rate than standard search ads (Source: WordStream).
3. 82% of small businesses that invest in local search advertising see increased foot traffic (Source: HubSpot).
4. Paid ads appearing in local searches have a 14% higher click-through rate (Source: Google Ads Data).
5. 52% of clicks on local search ads result in a direct business call (Source: Search Engine Land).
6. Businesses see an average $2 return for every $1 spent on local PPC advertising (Source: WordStream).
7. 68% of businesses say local search advertising provides a higher ROI than other digital marketing methods (Source: HubSpot).
8. Google Local Services Ads generate 40% more conversions than traditional search ads (Source: WordStream).
9. 60% of consumers say they prefer local ads over generic national ads (Source: Google).
10. Mobile searches for “best [business type] near me” have increased by 120% in recent years (Source: Google Trends).
11. 55% of local businesses that use geotargeted ads report higher sales (Source: HubSpot).
12. 73% of “near me” searches lead to direct store visits if an ad appears in the search results (Source: Think with Google).
13. Local businesses using Google Ads appear in the top three results 70% of the time (Source: Moz).
14. 80% of users are more likely to visit a business with a Google My Business profile (Source: BrightLocal).
15. Businesses that rank in the top three local search results receive 60% of all clicks (Source: Search Engine Journal).

7. Global Trends in ‘Near Me’ Searches Stats

1. “Near me” searches increased by 150% worldwide in the past five years (Source: Google Trends).
2. The U.S., U.K., and Canada account for 60% of all “near me” searches (Source: Statista).
3. Mobile “near me” searches are growing fastest in India and Brazil (Source: Google).
4. “Restaurant near me” is the most searched “near me” query globally (Source: Google Trends).
5. 80% of European consumers rely on “near me” searches to find local businesses (Source: BrightLocal).
6. In Asia, 90% of mobile users conduct local searches weekly (Source: Statista).
7. 65% of Australians use “near me” searches for shopping and dining (Source: Google).
8. “Hotel near me” is the top travel-related local search worldwide (Source: Google Trends).
9. 58% of Middle Eastern consumers use “near me” searches to locate nearby stores (Source: Think with Google).
10. 72% of Latin American consumers use Google Maps for local business searches (Source: Statista).
11. “Pharmacy near me” searches surged by 230% in South America in recent years (Source: Google).
12. 50% of European businesses have optimized for local search (Source: Moz).
13. Africa has seen a 400% increase in “near me” searches since 2018 (Source: Google Data).
14. 68% of businesses in Asia-Pacific have integrated local SEO strategies (Source: HubSpot).
15. “ATM near me” searches spike globally at the end of each month (Source: Google Trends).

8. Business Adoption of ‘Near Me’ Searches Stats

1. 78% of local businesses have optimized their websites for “near me” searches (Source: Moz).
2. 56% of small businesses do not claim their Google My Business profile, missing local search opportunities (Source: BrightLocal).
3. Businesses that use Google My Business get 7x more clicks than those that don’t (Source: Moz).
4. 64% of businesses use location-based keywords in their online content to improve local search rankings (Source: HubSpot).
5. 88% of local businesses that appear in Google’s local 3-pack receive more customer engagement (Source: SEO Tribunal).
6. 72% of businesses with multiple locations actively invest in local SEO strategies (Source: Search Engine Journal).
7. 60% of local businesses see higher conversions after optimizing for “near me” searches (Source: Google).
8. 82% of marketers believe “near me” searches have the highest return on investment (Source: HubSpot).
9. Businesses with a complete Google Business Profile see a 50% higher chance of appearing in local search results (Source: Google).
10. 75% of businesses that optimize for mobile local search experience increased foot traffic (Source: BrightLocal).
11. 40% of small businesses use paid local search ads to target “near me” queries (Source: WordStream).
12. 92% of businesses that optimize for “near me” searches experience more in-store visits (Source: Think with Google).
13. 68% of retail businesses track the ROI of local SEO investments (Source: Moz).
14. 74% of local businesses update their online listings at least once per month to stay relevant in “near me” searches (Source: BrightLocal).
15. 80% of local search marketers recommend using review management as part of a local SEO strategy (Source: Search Engine Land).

9. Impact of ‘Near Me’ Searches on Local Economies Stats

1. “Near me” searches drive $1.4 trillion in local sales annually in the U.S. (Source: Google).
2. 78% of local mobile searches lead to an offline purchase within 24 hours (Source: Think with Google).
3. 65% of small business revenue comes from local customers found via search engines (Source: BrightLocal).
4. Local SEO contributes to a 20% annual revenue increase for small businesses (Source: HubSpot).
5. 66% of consumers prefer shopping at nearby stores they found through “near me” searches (Source: Google).
6. 73% of businesses report an increase in local customers after optimizing for “near me” searches (Source: Moz).
7. 55% of restaurants attribute over half of their foot traffic to local search (Source: Statista).
8. 60% of job seekers use “near me” searches to find employment opportunities (Source: LinkedIn).
9. 52% of small businesses increased hiring due to increased customer traffic from local searches (Source: BrightLocal).
10. 90% of local retailers say “near me” searches drive significant in-store purchases (Source: Think with Google).
11. 81% of local businesses say they rely on online reviews to attract new customers (Source: BrightLocal).
12. 74% of customers choose businesses that offer mobile payment options in local search results (Source: Google).
13. 70% of local businesses say higher search visibility results in greater community engagement (Source: Moz).
14. 64% of independent retailers saw sales increases after improving their local SEO presence (Source: HubSpot).
15. 85% of businesses believe “near me” searches have permanently changed how consumers shop locally (Source: Google).

10. Future Predictions for ‘Near Me’ Searches Stats

1. “Near me” searches are expected to grow by 150% by 2026 due to increased mobile usage (Source: Statista).
2. 85% of all local searches will be conducted via voice search by 2025 (Source: Google).
3. AI-driven local search recommendations will increase business conversions by 40% in the next five years (Source: HubSpot).
4. 72% of consumers will rely on AR-based local searches by 2027 (Source: Think with Google).
5. 90% of businesses will integrate AI chatbots into their local search strategies by 2026 (Source: Search Engine Journal).
6. Google’s AI-powered search algorithms will make local results more accurate, benefiting small businesses (Source: Moz).
7. 80% of local businesses plan to increase their investment in local SEO within the next three years (Source: BrightLocal).
8. 55% of “near me” searches will be linked to personalized recommendations by 2026 (Source: Google).
9. Voice-activated smart devices will handle 30% of all local business searches by 2025 (Source: Statista).
10. 68% of users will expect hyper-personalized search results based on their location history by 2027 (Source: Think with Google).
11. AI-driven predictive local search will help businesses forecast customer demand by 2030 (Source: Search Engine Land).
12. 75% of retailers plan to expand their online-to-offline marketing strategies for “near me” searches (Source: Google).
13. 5G technology will enable faster, real-time “near me” search results, increasing engagement rates (Source: Statista).
14. 60% of businesses plan to implement AI-driven location-based advertising in the next two years (Source: HubSpot).
15. By 2030, automated voice search assistants will handle over 50% of local business interactions (Source: Google).

The explosive growth of “near me” searches underscores their importance in digital marketing and local business strategies. Key takeaways include:

• Mobile and voice searches dominate local search behavior.
• Businesses that optimize for local search experience higher engagement and revenue.
• Local search advertising delivers strong ROI, influencing consumer decisions.
• AI and predictive search trends will shape the future of local search marketing.

For businesses, adapting to local search trends is no longer optional—it’s essential for survival and growth in an increasingly digital and location-driven world.

FAQs on ‘Near Me’ Searches

1. Why are “near me” searches important for businesses?

“Near me” searches connect consumers with local businesses, increasing foot traffic and conversion rates. Optimizing for local SEO helps businesses appear in search results when customers need their services.

2. How can businesses optimize for “near me” searches?

Businesses can improve visibility by optimizing Google My Business profiles, using local keywords, maintaining accurate business details, encouraging customer reviews, and implementing mobile-friendly website designs.

3. What industries benefit the most from “near me” searches?

Industries like restaurants, retail, healthcare, automotive, and hospitality benefit significantly, as customers often look for immediate local solutions.

4. Are voice searches affecting “near me” searches?

Yes, voice searches are rapidly increasing, with many users asking smart assistants for local business recommendations, making voice search optimization crucial.

5. What are the future trends in “near me” searches?

Future trends include AI-driven personalized recommendations, voice search dominance, augmented reality integration, and real-time local search insights powered by 5G and AI.