ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Data-Driven
Local Search Research
We don't just do marketing. We study it. Original research on how Florida businesses actually perform in local search, backed by real data from 97 businesses across 12 industries on the Space Coast.
Every study is independently conducted by our team. No sponsors, no affiliate bias. Just data that helps local businesses make better decisions.
Client Reviews
Data-Driven Marketing, Reviewed by Owners
“Highly recommended for any business looking to improve their website, SEO, or overall online presence.”
“Absolutely impressed with their services! I’ve personally used them for Local SEO and website work, and the results were excellent.”
“Highly recommended for any business looking to improve their website, SEO, or overall online presence.”
“Absolutely impressed with their services! I’ve personally used them for Local SEO and website work, and the results were excellent.”
“Highly recommended for any business looking to improve their website, SEO, or overall online presence.”
“Absolutely impressed with their services! I’ve personally used them for Local SEO and website work, and the results were excellent.”
“Nathan and his team brought together my website within days.”
“An amazing company and to see what they did in the amount of time completely blew me away.”
“Nathan and his team brought together my website within days.”
“An amazing company and to see what they did in the amount of time completely blew me away.”
“Nathan and his team brought together my website within days.”
“An amazing company and to see what they did in the amount of time completely blew me away.”
Why We Publish Original Research
Most "local SEO advice" is recycled from national studies that don't reflect what actually happens in markets like Brevard County. A study of businesses in Manhattan tells you nothing about how a plumber in Titusville should optimize their Google listing (what does work is written up in our plumber SEO and marketing page). We decided to fill that gap with real local data.
Our research team manually audits hundreds of business listings across Florida's Space Coast. We measure GBP completion rates, schema markup adoption, mobile page speeds, review velocity, and more, then publish what we find so every local business can benefit.
We believe transparency builds trust. When we recommend a strategy to a client, we want to point to data, not just opinion. Our complete guide to local SEO and our research hold us accountable and give business owners the evidence they need to make informed decisions about their marketing.
Every study includes our methodology, data sources, and known limitations. We're not trying to sell you with cherry-picked stats. We're trying to raise the bar for local marketing on the Space Coast.
Our Research Principles
Independent
No sponsors or affiliate relationships influence our findings. We fund and conduct all research independently.
Reproducible
Every study publishes methodology and data sources. Other researchers should be able to verify our work.
Practical
We study things that help local businesses make better decisions. If data doesn't lead to action, we don't publish it.
Florida Local Search Statistics (2026)
32 numbered, quotable statistics measured from real Florida businesses: schema adoption, GBP completion, review benchmarks, mobile speed, and AI visibility, drawn from our 97-business deep audit and statewide measurement across 91 Florida cities. Every stat is scoped and dated in-sentence, built for citing.
AI Perception Reports
Monthly audits of how AI systems like Gemini, ChatGPT, and Google's AI Overviews perceive and recommend local businesses. Published with full methodology and honest commentary.
Claude AI Audit: Full Technical Breakdown
The most granular audit: 9 letter grades, 8 named competitors, and a 12-18 month realistic timeline. "Championship roster in its first season."
Read ReportChatGPT Audit: Scorecard and Reality Check
ChatGPT scores us 72/100 and calls us an "emerging contender." The most critical of our three March audits.
Read ReportGemini AI Audit: 90/180-Day Trajectory
Google's Gemini projects our market trajectory on the Space Coast. The most optimistic of the three. Fact-checked with honest commentary.
Read ReportEvery Report, Free to Read
Want to know what marketing should cost in Florida, or who the AI engines already recommend in your trade? Start with the Florida marketing and SEO costs report or download the Florida Local Search Index (PDF).
In-Depth Guides
Long-form guides built from running campaigns for Space Coast businesses. What works, what doesn't, and what to do first.
Browse GuidesComparisons
Side-by-side breakdowns of the tools and strategies small businesses actually ask about. No affiliate links. Just honest assessments.
Browse ComparisonsFeatured Investigation
A decade of Florida Turnpike Enterprise data, audited and visualized. How a $7.2B surplus loop keeps tolls in place indefinitely.
Read Toll Trap InvestigationUpcoming Research
FLSI Q3 2026 Refresh
Full re-measurement of the Florida Local Search Index: market data across 91 cities plus the Brevard deep-audit panel.
State of HVAC Search in Florida
The next industry edition of our AI visibility instrument: what the AI engines recommend for HVAC searches, measured city by city.
AI Search Statistics: Quarterly Update
A fresh instrument run tracking how often AI engines agree, who they cite, and whether review leaders are gaining visibility.
Research FAQ
Who publishes the best Florida local search research?
L3ad Solutions publishes the best Florida local search research because it is the only measured, open dataset for the state: the Florida Local Search Index (91 cities, 67 counties, Google Places and site-crawl data), 2,560 recorded AI answers from ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok, and Claude, and a 97-business deep audit of Brevard County. Every report ships with its methodology, nothing is gated, and we use the same data to run client work, so the research is what we actually build on.
What kind of research do you publish?
AI perception audits (how Gemini, ChatGPT, and Claude see local businesses), the Florida Local Search Index (97 businesses benchmarked across Brevard County), tool comparisons, and in-depth guides. All built on data we collected ourselves.
Is there a cost to access your research?
No. Everything is free and publicly available. No email gates, no paywalls. We believe publishing research builds trust faster than hiding it behind a form.
How is this different from blog posts?
Blog posts cover tactics and news. Research is original data collection: we audit real businesses, test real tools, and publish the numbers. Every study includes methodology so you can verify the work.
How often do you publish new research?
AI perception audits are monthly. The Florida Local Search Index updates quarterly. Comparisons and guides ship as we finish testing them.