Street Fight Daily: 05.27.11

A roundup of today’s big stories in hyperlocal media, technology, advertising and startups.

Google yesterday introduced Google Offers, its new daily deals service. Aimed at local small businesses, the service will launch in Portland, Ore., then spread outwards to other cities. (The Next Web)

Online ad spending surged in Q1, rising 23 percent over last year’s figure, according to the Internet Advertising Bureau. At the moment, every major media company is trying to figure out how to better tap local online advertising dollars, especially with the explosion of local deals that have brought in smaller merchants. (Paid Content)

Everything is going mobile and everything is getting more and more localized. Local search is skyrocketing exponentially. Here’s an infographic showing how that’s happening. (Orange Soda)

Searching for local information makes up 20 percent of Google queries, says Marissa Mayer, VP for Location and Local Services. She speaks about the growth of Google maps, the opportunities to advertise locally with Google and the company’s location-based services. (Beet.tv)

Online auction marketplace Reply! Inc has acquired local merchant network MerchantCircle for $60 Million in cash and stock in a deal that makes a big bet on small-to-medium-sized businesses, vertical and social marketing. (Local Onliner)

Local online marketing company Yodle has acquired search engine optimization company ProfitFuel. The company’s main service called Outrank is designed to generate inbound phone calls and emails by delivering prominent rankings for clients on top search engines. (MediaPost)

Get Street Fight Daily in your inbox! Subscribe to our newsletter.