SMS Local FAQs

SMS Local is a text-message local-search and directory assistance service that enables you to search for products, services and businesses geographically via your wireless phone or device. For example, you might search for "parking near LAX" to locate parking services near the Los Angeles International Airport.
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2. How do I use SMS Local?

Just send what you want, where you want it, to the SMS shortcode L-O-C-A-L (56225) from your wireless device. If you know the name of the business, just send that to LOCAL and we'll send you the nearest business listing.
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3. What type of devices do I need to use it?

SMS Local works on all text-message enabled phones and wireless devices, and is currently configured to work with the Cingular, AT&T, Verizon, Nextel and T-Mobile networks.
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4. How does SMS Local search work?

SMS Local uses a combination of our proprietary Keyword DNA™ and geographic web indexing technologies to provide relevant search results for local business.
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5. What is Keyword DNA™?

Keyword DNA™ is our proprietary software which allows SMS Local to determine linked associations for each business, so that we can display relevant businesses for a search request.
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6. How does SMS Local decide what listing to show me first?

Our algorithm and proprietary Keyword DNA™ determine which businesses are the most relevant to a specific search request. The most relevant and geographically local businesses are displayed first.
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7. Can I set a default location in SMS Local?

Once you've sent a search, all future searches will default to the initial search location if you don't provide us with a new location. For example, a search for "tacos in Seattle" will provide results in Seattle. A subsequent search for "bars" would automatically default to Seattle. If you need a bar near Central Park, then just search for "bars near Central Park" to set the new location.
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8. How does SMS Local calculate distance?

SMS Local calculates the distance from the population center of the zip code of the entered location to the business you are looking for.
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9. How does SMS Local get information about all the businesses and services in my area?

SMS Local sources its information from national business-to-business list compilers, data obtained by our web crawler, and information supplied by our affiliated partners.
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10. Do you sell user information gathered through SMS Local?

We do not rent or sell any personal information.
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Rev. January 1, 2007