By Perry Stevens, Blend Local Search Marketing | May 2026

20% of Google Searches Have Local Intent

Key Stat: 46% of all Google searches are seeking local information, and 60% of local searches result in a sale within 24 hours. The top 3 Google results capture 75% of all clicks — positions 4-10 fight over the remaining 25%. If you're not in the top 3, you're invisible to most of your potential customers. (Source: Google Search Statistics, 2025; Backlinko, "Google CTR Study", 2024)

TL;DR

• 46% of Google searches have local intent — and that figure jumps to 76% on mobile.
• 60% of local searches result in a sale — customers search online and buy offline.
• The top 3 positions capture 75% of clicks; positions 4+ get scraps.
• To get into the top 3: claim your Google Business Profile, optimise your website for local keywords, build a consistent SEO strategy, and get active on social platforms.

In May of 2012 Google had 11.3 Billion explicit searches – up 3% (Comscore). It's been reported by Google that 20 percent of all searches across its properties are of local intent. And not surprisingly that figure jumps up to 40 percent when we're talking about searches from mobile devices.

What is more interesting to note is that 60% of local searches that take place on Google result in a sale. So now more than ever, it is clear to see customers are searching online and buying offline and if your business isn't found in the top 3 places in Google search results you are missing out on huge profits now and in the future.

Case Studies

Elizabeth

Elizabeth is a busy working mom. She is looking to have her daughter's teeth straightened and wants to find a local orthodontist. Will she:

a) Take her daughter out of school and drive around to 3 or 4 orthodontists to 'check them out' and have a free consultation. Along the way incurring fuel and parking costs and the loss of time from both school and work.

or

b) Search Google for an Orthodontist. View the top 3 websites, watch their videos, read their reviews, check them out on Facebook and schedule an initial consultation. All from the comfort from her home or office while enjoying a nice cup of tea.

Of course option b) wins every time.

Giovanni

Giovanni and his friends want to find a sports bar to watch the big game. Do they:

a) Walk aimlessly around the streets asking for directions and recommendations and miss the first half…

or

b) Take out their smartphones and search on Google for sports bar in their current location. They also check out review sites for local deals and discover a sports bar nearby that has a 2-4-1 offer on bottled beer during the big game.

Again option b) wins every time and Giovanni and his friends enjoy their beers and the game while the bar owner is raking in healthy profits from his new found customers.

Your customers are out there looking for your products and services online and from mobile devices and if you're not on page 1 of Google in the top three positions you are missing out on huge profits every single day.

So How Do You Get in the Top 3 Positions on Google?

– Firstly you need to claim your Google Business Profile listing and complete the page with your business name, address and contact details, opening times, method of payment, photos and videos.

– Secondly you need to have a website and ensure it is optimized for the keywords people are typing into Google to find your products and services.

– Thirdly you need to have a search engine optimization strategy that Google likes and will reward you with higher results on its pages.

– And fourthly you will need to get more social on the web on sites like Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and other relevant platforms.

When you take action and consistent interaction you will start seeing results in your business as more customers find you a whole lot easier.

About the Author

Perry Stevens is the founder of Blend Local Search Marketing, a Singapore-based agency that helps local businesses get into Google's top 3 through proven local SEO strategies. With over 15 years in digital marketing, he has helped hundreds of businesses across the UK, USA, and Southeast Asia turn search visibility into measurable revenue.

FAQ

Do I really need to be in the top 3, or is page one enough?

Page one is better than page two, but the data is clear: position 1 gets ~28% of clicks, position 2 gets ~15%, position 3 gets ~11%. By position 4 you're under 8%, and position 10 is under 2%. Top 3 is where the real traffic lives.

How long does it take to get into the top 3?

For a new business with no existing presence: 6-12 months of consistent local SEO work. For an established business already on page 2: 3-6 months with the right strategy. There's no shortcut — anyone promising instant top 3 results is using risky tactics.

Is Google Business Profile really that important?

Yes — it's the single most important local SEO factor. GBP appears in the Local Pack (the map + 3 listings) which sits above regular organic results. A complete, optimised GBP with regular posts, photos, and reviews is often the difference between being seen and being invisible.

What if my competitors have more reviews than me?

Review quantity matters, but review velocity and recency matter more. A business with 50 recent reviews can outrank one with 200 stale reviews. Start generating reviews consistently — even 2-3 per week compounds quickly. Use tools like ReviewInsightsPro to automate requests.

Can I do local SEO myself, or do I need an agency?

You can absolutely do the basics yourself — claim your GBP, optimise your website, and ask for reviews. But competitive niches require technical SEO, content strategy, citation building, and ongoing optimisation that most business owners don't have time for. An agency accelerates results and frees you to run your business.

Blend Local Search Marketing Are Here to Help You!

We are passionate about helping local businesses succeed online and have a proven track record getting businesses in the UK and USA more customers and more profits. We can help you too!

We are currently offering serious business owners a complete overview of their business online that includes: a complete website analysis, profit keywords recommendations, social media influence/engagement and search engine optimization.

We pull no punches in our reports and tell you honestly, warts and all, the exact state of your online presence. You are free to take our recommendations and hand them to your webmaster to implement or enlist our help. Either way you are under no obligation but we believe our continued help and advice will work wonders for your business.

Blend Local Search Marketing PTE LTD
No 2, Havelock Road, #04-20, Havelock II, Singapore 059763
Tel: +65 3138 4048