Local Search : Maps Make It Happen

The new Microsoft Virtual Earth, which joins Maps.Google.Com, is the clearest presentation yet of the fact that search (paid and hopefully organic) is going local in a big big way.

Look at the image below, and marvel at how nicely the list of bookstores is displayed, and each bookstore is 'pinned' on the map. And yes, they change as you scroll around the map.

Would you want to be a bookstore left off of this list? Neither will anybody else. Would you pay to be listed first? Lots of companies will.

Some Virtual Earth Reviews and comments: here, here, here.