Not to be out-battled by the Wi-Fi Wars, Google and Yahoo may be gearing up to take each other on in another all-out war for dominance.  This time, however, the two aren't competing for search traffic.  Instead, Donna Bogatin reports, the two search heavyweights are poised to fight for control of local online advertising.

Bogatin offers a great recap of articles on the subject in "Yahoo to Google:  It's OUR $12 billion local advertising".  The title alone sounds like a prelude to war.

As she notes, neither company is in a position to claim dominance of the relatively untapped local advertising arena.  But both are clamoring for new ways to reach out into local communities to get business online and advertising.  Both are involved in print advertising initiatives.  Both have established search-based advertising programs.  Both are expanding into mobile advertising.

Who comes out on top is still in the air.  But the call to arms is clear.  If you're a local business owner and you don't have a website or online advertising budget, Yahoo and Google may want to talk with you.  For those of you with an existing website and/or online advertising budget, it's time to decide how these two online gladiators can help your business.

It may not be a battle to the death.  But it's exciting none the less.