Local search to attract $3.38 bln of ad revenues in 2009

Kelsey predicts that the global market for digital directional advertising (that includes online business directories, local search, and wireless directories) will reach about $10 bln in 2009, up from an estimated $2.8 bln in 2004. Local search, in particular, is expected to skyrocket. In the United States, local search spending is expected to leap to $3.38 bln in 2009, from an estimated 162 mln last year and a predicted $418 mln this year. Internet Yellow Pages will grow from an estimated $478 mln last year to $576 mln this year and $1.331 bln in 2009.