Google Pushes Local Search

Why is Google launching its Local Search out from Google Labs and integrating it with general search results? Ad revenue opportunities certainly must have played a part in the decision. While their press release focuses on how it helps users find more local information, the ad revenue possibilities have been pushing many local search efforts. With the launch, if a search includes a U.S. location term (like a ZIP code or the name of a town or city) in addition to some other search term. The Local results will display near the top (in a similar location to news headlines) on a search like springfield books. Or go direct to the Local Search to see just local results. Personally, I still find the paper (or even electronic) yellow pages much more useful and comprehensive. There have been many attempts at local search in the past (Northern Light having one of the more interesting implementations), so we will have to see how popular (profitable?) Google's will turn out to be.