What is local search optimization?
Local SEO is the process of improving the local search visibility of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), brick-and-mortar stores and multiple-location businesses within a geographic area.
Unlike traditional SEO, which focuses on boosting a brand’s searchability on a national or global scale, local search engine optimization targets “near me” and geo-specific search queries. The goal of Google local SEO is to boost your brand exposure beyond your storefront and make your business more accessible to prospects in the local online community.
How to do local SEO?
Local SEO leverages various local digital marketing tactics to rank up your local SEO ranking, including:.
- Local business SEO keyword targeting
- Google Business Profile or Google My Business optimization
- Local search citations
- Online reputation management
What are local SEO ranking factors?
Google looks at various local SEO ranking factors to determine your search rankings. These include:
- Google Business Profile or Google My Business (GMB) listing
- Name, address and phone number (NAP) consistency in local business citations
- Domain authority
- Quality of local search citations
- Click-through rate (CTR) from search results
- Keywords
- User experience (UX)
- Review quality, velocity and diversity
- Link signals