WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Citysearch, a leading online local guide and an operating business of IAC (Nasdaq: IACI), today unveiled a beta version of the new Citysearch.com with local, social and mobile innovations designed to provide users with a new local neighborhood search experience. In related news, Citysearch also announced today an upgraded mobile platform (see related release entitled: "Loved that Restaurant? Disappointing Hotel Stay? Mobile by Citysearch Lets You Share Opinions Anytime, Anywhere").

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"We rebuilt the Citysearch platform to give our users what they asked for -- a new site that drills down to the hyper-local level with content for specific neighborhoods," said Jay Herratti, CEO of Citysearch. "We also expanded our social and community tools by integrating Facebook Connect deeply into our site experience. Now users will be able to see their Facebook friends on Citysearch and share reviews and recommendations."

"At Facebook, we've found that remarkable things happen when you get trust, user control and identity right -- people share more information, and become more open and connected," said Elliot Schrage, vice president, communications, public policy and Platform marketing at Facebook." Citysearch's innovative new site shows how Facebook Connect can help information flow faster through a site while creating a filter for users to engage with localized content through the lens of their friends, family and colleagues."

The new www.Citysearch.com experience is:

-- More local -- Citysearch is expanding its local coverage from 140 local city guides to over 75,000 cities and neighborhoods nationwide. New geo- targeted search technology provides a truly local experience to users, allowing them to target businesses according to zip code. Citysearch also restores balance to local business coverage by providing content from three distinct voices: users, editors and merchants.

-- More social -- With Facebook Connect, users can log into Citysearch using their Facebook account, allowing them to discover new local businesses and share reviews with their friends online and providing a personal view of their neighborhood and favorite local spots. New social features also enable users to create profiles, more easily review businesses and infuse their opinions and unique local content into their social graph. Connectivity to more major social networks will follow in the coming months.

-- More mobile -- Mobile by Citysearch puts reviewing into the palm of the consumer's hand. Key features include an interface tailored to each individual mobile device -- optimizing content layout and keystrokes required to surface search results -- on-the-go reviews, and mobile menus.

-- More intuitive -- The new interface offers a streamlined registration process, easy review writing interface, new search refinement and navigation tools. Other new features include a follow-along map with integrated content that moves as the user scrolls down the page, making it easier for users to see everything they need in one place.

"Our latest mobile consumer research indicates a marked increase in mobile local search activity, including local searches for maps and directions, entertainment and products and services," said Matt Booth, senior vice president, The Kelsey Group. "We expect local services to continue to move in the direction that Citysearch has taken-offering greater multimedia functionality, mobile accessibility and local search down to the neighborhood level."

Users can access the new site at http://www.beta.citysearch.com.

About Citysearch

Citysearch is the essential urban companion for living bigger, better and smarter in your city. Combining in-the-know editorial recommendations, candid user comments, and expert advice from local businesses, we keep you connected to the most popular and undiscovered places wherever you are. Citysearch is an operating business of IAC (NASDAQ: IACI). For more information, visit http://www.citysearch.com.



     Media Contact:
     Darcy Cobb
     Dotted Line Communications for Citysearch
     310.472.8600
     darcy@dottedlinecomm.com

SOURCE Citysearch