You can find a business or location with AOL Local by following these steps:
AOL Local will find a list of matching businesses for the search term you entered.
Search results and business information
When you get the map with its associated list of the businesses matching your search, you can click on a business name to view detailed information about that business. You can also view details about the business, view a photo (if available) and get driving directions by moving your mouse over the marker for the business on the map. For your convenience driving directions can also be found by clicking the driving directions button above the listings beside the map.
Dragging and panning on the map
You may use your mouse to click and drag the map, panning to other locations on the map. As you release the mouse your search will be updated to find the businesses matching your search query located closest to the new viewpoint of your map. If you do not wish to have the businesses on the map updated you can lock your results on the map by clicking the Lock Results radio button above the map. Using the Reset Map link above the map will return your map and search results to their original state.
Searching using city and state
With AOL Local you can select a location to search in by entering a city, state and/or a zip code. You have the option of also entering a street address. To search from a different area simply enter your new location information in the search box and submit as a new search.
Sponsored Links
Sponsored links that appear in AOL Local results or on AOL channels are listings that have been purchased by companies to have their businesses or Web sites appear for specific search terms related to their services. Sponsored links, also sometimes referred to as pay-per-click ads, are administered, sorted and maintained by Google and AOL. For more information on how pay-per-click ads work and how to sign up, go to AdWords.Google.com and AOLMediaNetworks.com/Search.
Web Offers and More
Web Offers and More are listings that display offers related to the search terms you enter. These sponsored link listings are maintained by third parties and not endorsed by AOL.
Q: What can I search for?
A: Users can find businesses and locations by using any query term. Query terms are matched against business names, business descriptions and business categories. Results are then displayed on a map.
Q: Do I have to enter a location?
A: Yes, a location is always required when searching within AOL Local.
Q: Can I save my location?
A: At this time AOL Local does not offer the ability to save or remember locations. This feature is expected to be included at a later time.
Q: Why am I having trouble searching with an address?
A: As long as you enter a valid city, state and/or zip you should not experience trouble in searching for that address. Searching using a full address is supported, however as all of the location information is submitted in one box, sometimes an address may be difficult to interpret. Your best method to ensure searching by a full address is to enter the address in the following format: (Street Number) (Street Name), (City), (State), (Zip). An example would be 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20004.
Q: How is AOL Local different than AOL Search?
A: AOL Search helps you find Web search results from website listings administered, sorted and maintained by Google™, AOL's search partner. AOL Local helps you specifically find locations and businesses and associate them to your location using a map.
Q: What features are included in AOL Local?
A: AOL Local offers you several great new features, including:
Q: Can I return to my original results after moving the map?
A: Using the Reset Map link above the map will return your map and search results to their original state.
Q: How do I stop the results from updating when I move the map?
A: If you do not wish to have the businesses on the map updated you can lock your results on the map by clicking the Lock Results radio button above the map.
Q: What does the "Zoom-in" link next to the distance do?
A: The zoom-in feature focuses your map on that particular business, providing a street level view and details on the business in the balloon over the map.
Q: Can I save my search results?
A: At this time AOL Local does not offer the ability to save or remember searches or search results. This feature is expected to be included at a later time.
Q: How can I get driving directions?
A: There are two ways in AOL Local to obtain driving directions. You can get driving directions by clicking the button above the search results to the left of your map. You can use the drop down to select the location from your list of results that you'd like to get directions to or from, choose your searched location or enter a new one. You can also use the driving directions link in the balloon on the map relating to the business you want to get directions to/from.
Q: How can I print driving directions?
A: On your driving directions page, click on the Printer-Friendly link above the column with your search results next to the map. Using your top browser bar select "File" and then "Print".
Q: How do I print a map?
A: On your search results page, click on the Printer-Friendly link above the column with your search results next to the map. Using your top browser bar select "File" and then "Print".
Q: What browsers are supported?
A: Currently AOL Local supports the following list of browsers:
Q: What does "beta" mean?
A: Beta testing is the process of taking software which is in the process of development and giving it to a larger group of users to test. While the testing done in our laboratory is extensive, beta testing will surface many problems not found in our laboratory testing. Beta testing exposes the software to a much broader range of uses and environments. We do this because no laboratory can possibly cover every use and set of conditions that will exist after the software has been released.
Q: Can I provide feedback?
A: Yes! We would love to hear your feedback, comments and suggestions. Just visit our Beta Feedback page and tell us what you think!