A revamped Yahoo Local appeared last night, complete with zip-coded user referrals, upcoming events and other dynamic information. Maps have been integrated more tightly across the site but in a way that keeps them from being cumbersome. Local results automatically are plotted against a map; hover and see details, click on the icon and see directions. Cities can be searched by neighborhood. Event and local favorite RSS feeds are available and searches can be personalized. Traffic and WiFi maps are part of the local pages; the WiFi maps are sponsored by Intel with the Centrino symbol as the icon for a hotspot.
The mix of search with community recommendations and mapping enhances the differences between Yahoo and other search engines/portals. Google remains user-search oriented and barebones — for now. MSN’s local with Citysearch is more travel oriented. AOL Local shows weather, local “hot” searches but doesn’t incorporate AOL City Guides. But Yahoo also understands that sometimes all people want is search, offering an option to hide recommendations.
SiliconBeat: “They don’t have a natural affinity to local in terms of brand,” said Greg Sterling, of the Kelsey Group. “But Yahoo does a good job of combining different types of content. It’s an impressive product.”
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