Mobile local search volume will surpass desktop local search for the first time in 2015, according to BIA/Kelsey. By 2016, the firm expects mobile local search to exceed desktop local search by more than 27 billion annual queries.

"Among the drivers of mobile local search is the fact that it happens further down the purchase funnel, compared with desktop search," said Michael Boland, senior analyst and program director, Mobile Local Media, BIA/Kelsey. "We're seeing that play out in the growth of local query volume, and in performance metrics like clickthrough rates."

As mobile local search queries rise, so will related advertising revenues. BIA/Kelsey forecasts mobile local search revenues to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 160.4 percent, from $400 million in 2011 to $3.2 billion in 2016. During the same period, desktop local search revenues will grow from $5.7 billion to $10.2 billion (CAGR: 12.1 percent).

"It's important to note that while mobile local search volume will exceed its desktop equivalent, ad dollars will remain lower," said Boland, "This is because advertisers aren't yet keeping pace with the growth of mobile local ad inventory, but we expect that to evolve."