A recent study from Tekrati, based on data recorded by the Hitwise service, has indicated that Yahoo is the leader at local searches, Yahoo Local (local.yahoo.com) being 4.4 times more accessed than Google Local (local.google.com).

Today, Yahoo decided to push the limits and introduced the next generation of Yahoo Local.

In the race for the local searches, Yahoo Local is proposing a new feature, Search by Neighborhood. This feature enables users to easily narrow their search for information by neighborhood as an alternative to searching the entire city and is available for major metropolitan areas and highlights important local information such as: local events, Top Searches This Week (Top Searches are available by city to keep users up to date on what people are searching for in their area) and Local Recommendation Showcase.

Search by Neighborhood wil include alos a Recent Search History and Personalized Suggestions in which Yahoo Local presents recommended suggestions to users based upon their interests. The optional feature matches recent search activity and recently viewed listings with the top rated local community listings.

Practically Yahoo Local has redefined the local search experience by focusing on content and community. The ratings and reviews platform leverages Yahoo's relationship with more than 181 million registered users for their insights and expertise about local businesses or services, providing others with valuable information not found in traditional directory listings.

"The future of local search lies not only in offering highly comprehensive and relevant local search results, but in combining those results with community generated content, and Yahoo leads the field in the integration of these efforts," said Paul Levine, general manager of Yahoo Local.