In August [2007] the US-version of Yahoo! Local was completely overhauled [see our post]. Now Yahoo! has added further functionality to their local search engine.

As to be discovered in Yahoo! Local & Maps Blog, users are now able to narrow down their search queries using additional filter options. As a result, Shawn Bolan, Production Manager of Yahoo! Local informs that one now should be easily able to find the company or service provider that on is searching for.

In the results list, under the sponsored links, a new horizontal menu is visible, where all searches are able to apply additional filter options. For example, when one searches for a really special/specific restaurant, the user is able to specify various categories, including type (Chinese, pizza, etc.), atmosphere (e.g. family, quiet, etc.) as well as the neighborhood or even a radius from home. In addition one can then reorder the search results among various criteria, including distance or ratings.

Another additional feature is the ability to subscribe to a RSS-feed linked to the various areas of the site, for example, the helpful suggestions/ratings of another user that one has found to be relevant or in agreement with personal tastes. When this person rates another business, one can be notified immediately per RSS.