Montreal-based Praized Media, a social media start-up based on providing local search for users, has signed a strategic partnership with Yellow Pages Group. Montreal’s YPG will use the soon-to-launch platform to try and reach social media users, while Praized will offer the biz directory’s content to its users.

A public beta is planned for this summer, when the first Praized communities will launch. Praized communities will have access to direct links to relevant local search results on YellowPages.ca websites.

The start-up has also formed a similar partnership with Yellowbook, the US-based print and online publisher of Yellowbook.com (which was recognized by comScore as the top-gaining web property in April). Another agreement is in effect with Localeze, an online content manager serving local search engine publishers, businesses and consumers.

Praized Media CEO Harry Wakefield says the partnership will help his company serve users with ‘relevant, quality content.’ The partnerships will give Praized communities access to a pre-loaded database of more than 17 million searchable North American business listings.