Yahoo! has decided that it needs to get into the local search game if it wants to compete effectively in the market. According to a PhoneScoop report, the company is beta testing a new Yahoo Local search service in 30 different communications around the U.S.

This service is designed to be accessed from the browser of iOS and Android devices. The new service, according to Yahoo, will let users see news and information generated by local news organizations and sites. The Yahoo service will also let users gain access to money-saving programs and deals they may be able to find locally.Certain regions within the U.S. will have initial access to this tool and include: San Francisco, Palo Alto, Mountain View, and Sunnyvale, Calif.; Brooklyn, N.Y.; as well as Birmingham, Ferndale, and Royal Oak, Mich.

A Mobile Blog posted by Yahoo noted the company is harnessing the massive power of the web and the ever-expanding capabilities of connected devices to develop mobile experiences that are both engaging and personally relevant. The company acknowledges that as important as information from around the world is to have at your fingertips, it is often what is right down the street that matters. 

Yahoo! Local in limited beta offers rich, hyper-local content and uniquely personalized experience through the mobile Web on iPhone and Android. Using this platform, individuals will be able to discover the best local news, deals and events in their neighborhood. Features offered in the Yahoo solution include local news and information; money saving opportunities such as offers and discounts from local businesses; and powerful technology such as geo-informatics and content enrichment platforms. 

In other Yahoo news, TechZone360 recently reported that Japanese online retailer Rakuten, Inc., asked Japan’s anti-monopoly watchdog to review the Google-Yahoo partnership to determine if the companies are acting unlawfully. Yahoo Japan rolled out a new service last July that makes use of Google’s search and advertising technology.Earlier this week, Yahoo announced it is going to be offering more original video content in 2011. This announcement emerged just as rumors surfaced about whether AOL may want to sell its content division to Yahoo.

Susan J. Campbell is a contributing editor for TechZone360 and has also written for eastbiz.com. To read more of Susan’s articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Juliana Kenny