Google goes local

Need more proof that the power of the Web is in it’s local reach?

Google just launched a local business finder service (still in beta). I’m sure sites like BellSouth’s RealPages and Yahoo!’s Get Local are starting to panic.

Like RealPages.com, Google’s local search offers each business’ phone number, address and directions. Plus Google offers related web pages. These are not necessarily the business’ web site, but are (presumably) the highest Google-ranked pages related to each business. You also have the option to sort radially, organizing results by distance.