1. A method of responding to a search query to a user with a computing system comprising: a) identifying a target geographic region specified by the user with the computing system; b) automatically identifying local content sources with the computing system, which local content sources are situated within said target geographic region and are identified by the computing system to publish local content for such region; wherein at least some of said local content is derived from social network messages published at a social networking site by members of such site within said geographic region; c) processing a query from the user including a first search term with the computing system; d) determining that said query relates to events or topics associated with said target geographic region; e) in response to steps (c) and (d) automatically searching content of said social networking site to identify any local content related to said first search term with the computing system, including any responsive social network messages; f) presenting search results to said user with the computing system for said query including said local content in response to said query directed to said first search term; g) automatically polling and monitoring said social networking site to repeat steps (e) through (f) for said geographic region and locate additional local content relevant to said query.