On the Go and in the Know: comScore Reports Mobile Audience for Local Content Grows 51 Percent vs. Year Ago – comScore, Inc

On the Go and in the Know: comScore Reports Mobile Audience for Local Content Grows 51 Percent vs. Year Ago – comScore, Inc.

The mobile browser is the leading access method for seeking local information, with 20.7 million users in March 2009, up 34 percent versus year ago. However, the strongest growth in the category is coming from downloaded applications, which grew 83 percent versus year ago, followed by SMS at 72 percent. However, despite the attention mobile applications have received from developers, carriers and device OEMs, they remain the least popular access mode for mobile access of local information, with 11.3 million users in March. A marginally more often used channel for obtaining local information is SMS, with 11.7 million users, and an impressive 72-percent growth rate. Overwhelmingly, though, the preferred mode to access local content remains the mobile browser.

Thought this was *definitely* worth sharing. And it makes sense, too: Why wouldn’t we use our mobile devices to search for local info? Isn’t your handheld, portable browser the best way to find information about the things around you – right this very second?

And some good news there for those who want but maybe can’t afford apps: Mobile sites seem to be more popular today.