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Youtech Survey Reveals Traditional Search Still Dominates Local Discovery, AI Adoption Growing with Key Challenges Ahead
Youtech Survey Reveals Traditional Search Still Dominates Local Discovery, AI Adoption Growing with Key Challenges Ahead

Yahoo

time3 days ago

  • Business
  • Yahoo

Youtech Survey Reveals Traditional Search Still Dominates Local Discovery, AI Adoption Growing with Key Challenges Ahead

The report revealed consumers trust Google for local business search (93.2%), while AI seeks to improve accuracy and address human touch concerns. Youtech's data highlights opportunities for businesses to optimize across both traditional and AI search surfaces. LISLE, Ill., July 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Youtech, a leading global full-service digital marketing agency, today announced the findings of its latest consumer survey, shedding light on how people search for local businesses online. The research indicates that while AI assistants are gaining traction, traditional search engines like Google remain the primary tool for local business discovery, highlighting specific areas where AI needs to improve to gain wider adoption. 'Our data clearly shows that consumers value reliability and comprehensiveness when searching for local businesses,' said Wilbur You, CEO of Youtech. 'While the buzz around AI is undeniable, the numbers revealed a critical need for AI assistants to enhance their accuracy, real-time information, and integration with familiar tools to truly compete with traditional search for local businesses.' Key Survey Findings: Consumers continue to predominantly rely on traditional search engines for discovering local businesses. A significant majority, 93.2% of respondents, indicated they trust Google over AI for this purpose. Looking ahead, this preference seems likely to persist, as the report notes that AI is not yet replacing traditional search, though consumer interest is growing fast. The survey highlights that Restaurants & Food (88%), Home & Home Improvement (55.3%), and Automotive (42%) are the most frequently searched local business categories. Despite the growing presence of AI, its adoption for local business searches is still relatively low, with 56.7% of consumers having never utilized an AI assistant for this specific purpose. For those who have, usage is infrequent, with 27.3% having done so in the last week. The most critical factors identified for AI to compete with traditional search for local business discovery were more accurate, up-to-date info (39.1%) and better integration with maps (15%). This emphasizes a foundational trust deficit, as 93.2% of respondents would trust traditional Google Search more to find or evaluate a local business. Consumers prioritize the accuracy of information and trust when choosing between AI and traditional search tools. A key concern about using AI for local business searches is missing the human touch (31.7%), followed by outdated or incorrect information (28.3%). Consumers value reviews, hours, photos, and service details most for local business searches. Furthermore, real-time information, such as real-time booking, is considered extremely important and a deal-breaker, if missing, by 9% of respondents. 'Local search is pivoting, and our findings emphasize that while AI is a powerful emerging force, the bedrock of consumer trust remains firmly rooted in accuracy and relevance,' said Michael Norris, CMO of Youtech. 'Businesses that proactively refine their presence across both traditional search engines and emerging AI platforms will be best positioned to capture the attention and loyalty of today's consumers.' The survey was conducted independently by Youtech with 150 consumers from June 26–28, 2025. Full results can be found here: To learn how Youtech can help navigate changes in search, please visit About Youtech Youtech & Associates Inc. ('Youtech') is a leading, full-service digital marketing agency providing solutions to brands of all sizes. Bootstrapped in 2012 with an investment of just $600, the agency has since become an award-winning powerhouse serving over 2,000 clients, completing over 10,000 projects, and generating over $1 billion in client sales worldwide. With a strong and expanding presence in Scottsdale, alongside offices in Chicago and Dallas, Youtech is one of the fastest-growing digital marketing firms in the country. Learn more about Youtech at Company Contact Michael Norris mnorris@ Media Contact Jessica Starman media@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

Surprising Macca's trend sweeping Australia
Surprising Macca's trend sweeping Australia

News.com.au

time4 days ago

  • Business
  • News.com.au

Surprising Macca's trend sweeping Australia

Aussies across the country are rallying against a string of new McDonald's restaurants in both inner city and regional towns, in what has been described as a 'movement'. Among high-profile campaigns against a venue on the 'coolest street' in Melbourne and several in Sydney, locals in small hamlets are also opposing the Golden Arches. There were 16 petitions listed on over the past few years where residents have voiced concerns over the impact of such developments on local character, safety and small businesses. For some, the opposition to these projects was more about logistics than a rejection of big business. Jamie Vachon this year started a petition against a 24/7 restaurant in Sydney's north shore, telling its location on Willoughby Road, Crows Nest was a major concern. 'I think if McDonald's was trying to open near the new Metro (station) we wouldn't be talking about it,' he said. 'My petition was specifically about the fact that they were pushing to be open 24/7. Which is a big issue in Crows Nest because nothing's open (late), except for the Crows Nest Hotel. So that could just cause chaos. 'It's right next to residential units … they're not going to have toilets. There's just a lot that screams it's going to be a bit of a disaster.' Other campaigns were being waged in Ipswich, Queensland, the rural town of Kyneton near Victoria's Dandenong Ranges and at Coffs Harbour on NSW's mid-north coast. Amy Kidd, who campaigned against a McDonald's at Mount Evelyn in Victoria's Yarra Ranges, said opposition 'grew rapidly' in her community. More than 300 people wrote to the local council, which eventually blocked the plans for an outlet that was to be opened in a residential area. 'We are a community that values our town character, small businesses, and our local environment. A fast food restaurant is a threat to all of those things,' she said. 'Our win shows just how powerful communities can be when they come together. 'The site is up for sale again, and we will be keeping a close eye on any new development proposals.' There were already more than 1000 McDonald's stores across Australia in 2024, which according to the company employed more than 100,000 people. The City of Sydney's independent panel recently rejected a proposed $3 venue at inner city Redfern after locals and NSW Police both wrote submissions against it. Members of the Redfern's indigenous community also raised concerns about the offering undermining public health outcomes. Plans lodged with the same council appear to show a McDonald's was being planned for hipster haven King St, Newtown – an area traditionally against major fast-food chains. It would be located next door to local favourite Clems, a chicken shop opened back in 1982. Residents and businesses in inner north Melbourne suburb Northcote have spoken out to slam plans for a McDonald's on the suburb's main street, which was voted the 'coolest street in the world' by Time Out last year. Northcote Business Association president Andrew Mansfield said a Maccas on High St would 'change the tone of what we are', and local Franc de Petro said it was 'unfathomable'. 'High Street … has zero multinational franchise outlets and has plenty of locally run food outlets, many doing burgers of various kinds,' he told The Age. 'It just doesn't fit in or make any sense for Northcote.' McDonald's Australia has been contacted for comment. Dr Sisi Jia from the University of Sydney said changing characters of neighbourhoods was one thing – another was the health impact of increasing cheap and available fast food. 'There's a whole topic in public health research called food environments,' she said. 'So what foods are available, accessible, affordable to people. 'And so the concern with opening up a lot of these restaurants in neighbourhoods is increasing people's access and therefore their consumption of these foods.' Data from market research firm IBISWorld estimated McDonald's Australian sales to be $5.7 billion in 2024-2025, rising from $5.4 billion in 2023-2024. Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker has found 60 per cent of Australia's spent money on food delivery or takeaway in July, with the average Aussie spending $83 per week. However, IBISWorld's research also showed McDonald's market share dropped from 21.5 per cent in June 2022 to 19.3 per cent by the same time this year. 'While absolute sales figures might be rising, it is anticipated that McDonald's is losing market share to other fast food providers in Australia,' IBISWorld Industry team leader Disha Jeswanth said, adding Guzman y Gomez had proven be a 'major emerging competitor'. Business Sydney executive director Paul Nicolaou said he understood community concerns about fast food outlets but a 'blanket ban might not be the best option. 'To offer some context, it is increasingly difficult for people to find places to dine late at night and to a large extent that vacuum has been filled by fast food chains,' Mr Nicolaou said. 'So, the question is how you get the balance right where people can exercise choice, remembering also that fast food chains also support many jobs.' He said 'with a bit of imagination' councils and fast-food chains could find 'solutions that provide consumer choice without disruption to local communities'. A spokesperson for McDonald's Australia said: 'McDonald's has been part of Sydney communities since 1971, when we opened our very first Australian restaurant in the Western Sydney suburb of Yagoona. Since then, our business has grown alongside the communities we serve and we proudly employ more than 115,000 people, serve up a locally sourced Australian menu and support hundreds of community groups and causes across our 1,050 restaurants, nationwide. 'As we continue to grow, we're delivering more new restaurants, creating tens of thousands of new jobs, recruiting new franchisees, increasing our spend with our Aussie supply chain, and investing in more innovative ways to deliver great value, convenience, and a great customer experience. 'We are committed to engaging with Councils and communities to ensure we're listening to feedback and submitting development applications for restaurants that are thoughtfully designed for the community. This includes limiting the impact of common concerns such as traffic, noise, and waste, and promoting our potential to contribute as a local employer and a business committed to giving back to the neighbourhood. 'We are excited by the possibility of joining the Newtown community. A new Macca's in Newtown represents an investment of around $2 million and will mean more than 100 new local jobs and more support for local community groups in the area.'

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