AOL launches new local search feature

February 24, 2005

America Online launches a new Local Search service with an extensive directory of local information available to help people quickly find answers.

AOL's new Local Search is integrated with the AOL� Search product available to AOL� subscribers and other Web users across America Online's network of Web properties, including the AOL.com site and at http://localsearch.aol.com.

AOL Local Search represents the next step in local search convenience by aggregating the most current and frequently updated information listings and high-quality content from leading Internet brands, including AOL� Yellow Pages, AOL� CityGuide, the Moviefone� and MapQuest� services, and a range of new partners, into one complete search service.

The new AOL Local Search gives users a simpler way to find local businesses, events, movies and more, with tools to narrow choices and help decide who to call, where to go, what to do, and how to get there.

"AOL's goal is to help people find answers faster where they live, work and travel nationwide," said Jim Riesenbach, Senior Vice President, AOL Search and Directional Media. "Local search is an important and growing category of search services given that 20 percent of all online look-ups are for something nearby -- local businesses and resources, movies, events, restaurants, products, retail stores and more.

Our new Local Search is in line with AOL's commitment to deliver enhanced products based on the highest-quality content to help users find information that's important to them."

New features and functionality of AOL Local Search include:

** Personalized, streamlined design with one-click sorting and clustering to help users quickly find exactly what they are looking for. Users can choose an enhanced view or scan view and refine results by type, such as business, movie or event, as well as distance away, and rating. Users can also view maps, photos, descriptions, and event schedules directly within the search results, see recent searches for quick reference, and save multiple zip code locations to automatically see results customized to specific geographic areas.

** Complete, up-to-date listings and information for more than 13 million businesses and points of interest from the AOL Yellow Pages, as well as restaurants, bars, music and events - including the newest hotspots - in more than 300 cities across the country from AOL CityGuide, the Web's #1 local entertainment guide for where to go and what to do in cities where people live, work and visit.

Also, movie listings covering all new releases for 31,000 screens nationwide from the Moviefone service.

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For easy planning, AOL Local Search automatically displays the next movie showtimes from the three theaters nearest to the user on the results page, full schedules of all nearby showings for the next three days, and convenient ticket purchasing on Moviefone.com.

Built-in maps and driving directions from the MapQuest service appear alongside search results, with customized features to see all nearby results on one map and view closest subway stations. Additionally, AOL Local Search will include the most accurate and up-to-date location information through AOL's new MapQuest Partner Data Program that enables MapQuest's Business Solutions clients to have their information regularly updated in the AOL database.

** Ratings and reviews to help make decisions based on others' recommendations and word-of-mouth referrals. These include editorial reviews and annual "City's Best" rankings for thousands of local dining, nightlife, and entertainment options from AOL CityGuide; as well as consumer ratings that allow people to see what others in their community think are the best experts, restaurants, hotels, contractors, events, movie theaters and more, with a one-click way to add their own rating and personal review. In addition, "Hot Searches" highlight the most searched-for restaurant and entertainment venues.

** Built-in shopping and transaction services, including "what's on sale," with weekly specials on apparel, consumer electronics, home improvement products, food and more offered by local retailers from ShopLocal.com; opportunities to make restaurant reservations online through OpenTable; the ability to purchase $25 dining certificates for only $10 from Restaurant.com; as well as integrated ticket purchasing for events and concerts through AOL Tickets, which partners with the six top primary and secondary ticketing services.

The integration of commerce and transaction services with AOL Local Search offers new benefits for consumers, and it also represents how America Online is continuing to explore new and expanded opportunities for businesses and advertisers.

In addition to its new relationship with Ingenio, a company that offers a way for local merchants to tap the power of Internet advertising through its Pay Per Call� Advertising Platform, and its successful relationship with Google to provide Web search results and sponsored links for AOL Search, America Online's integrated local search commerce and transaction partnerships will offer further opportunities to drive not only clicks and calls but also sales traffic to businesses.

For example, by highlighting sales, specials and printable coupons for local retail stores, AOL is providing a way for merchants to reach geotargeted, ready-to-buy audiences, while helping consumers quickly find exactly what they need online so they can save valuable time and money offline.

Among additional features coming soon, AOL Local Search will also offer the ability to find local news for communities and neighborhoods in every zip code nationwide through Topix.net, the Web's most comprehensive local news site.

Topix.net uses a proprietary algorithm to monitor breaking news from more than 10,000 sources nationwide and serve about 50,000 new stories daily.

In addition, America Online recently announced that it will work with Fast Search & Transfer, Inc. (FAST�), a leading provider of search technology and solutions, to further enhance its expanded local search services and results customized to users' geographic locations.

Source: AOL press release

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