A new deal between Microsoft and Localeze, a local listings startup in America, is to massively expand Bing’s listings for local search.
Localeze will power some of Bing’s local business listings for U.S users of the search engine. The deal will help Bing Local and the Bing 411 service compete in local search engine marketing with Google, who has an extensive database of local listings.
Bing will make use of Localeze’s premium business content to supply information on Bing’s local business profile. Under the terms of the deal, the Microsoft search engine will make use of more than 500,000 business-verified and managed listings contained in the Localeze index. These listings, which have been edited directly by the local business owners for accuracy, extend beyond name, address and contact info. It also includes opening hours, products and services offered, types of payment accepted and many other details.
The deal with Localeze will expand Bing’s ability to deliver local search results on targeted keywords as well as providing the search engine with verified, up-to-date local business content.
An additional detail about the new relationship between the two companies was noted by Doug Caverly of Web Pro News. A visit to the Localeze website reveals that their search is powered by Google custom search; Caverly writes that “Microsoft and Localeze might want to do something about that sort of mixed signal”.
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