Local
Search Engine Land is your source for local marketing SEO news and content. You’ll find a variety of up-to-date and authoritative resources, including the latest news, tactic-rich tutorials, and the latest data to help you work smarter and make better decisions.
What you read here is written by our experienced in-house team, and subject matter experts from leading brands and agencies.
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What to do when Google changes your GBP information
Learn how to effectively manage and protect your Google Business Profile from unexpected updates by Google.
How to maximize your local business’ Google Maps presence
Practical tips for optimizing your Google Maps presence to boost local visibility and drive more in-store customers.
Local SEO in 2024: 6 simple ways to dominate local search
New to local search? Wondering where to start? Here are six tactics to help you kick off your local SEO campaign.
How to create local business content that converts
Establish your local business as the industry authority by being authentic in your content and connecting with your community.
Google Business Profiles tools are temporarily unavailable
Verification status, managing appeals and managing reviews currently may not be working.
Google Business Profile websites are now redirected to Google Maps
Eventually these redirects will go away and the website URLs will lead users to a dead end.
Google removes option to see more local results in the search results
It is unclear if this was intentionally removed or if this is a bug that Google will fix soon.
How SMBs are approaching digital marketing in 2024
A new report reveals key digital marketing trends, goals and pain points for SMBs in 2024.
Local search in 2024: Key trends and tactics for marketers
Location-based businesses must focus on five areas – discovery, relevancy, experience, engagement and conversions – to drive impact today.
Google gets tough on third-party ordering and booking providers hogging GBP listings
Google mandates third parties to let merchants easily disconnect services from Business Profiles. Learn more about the new opt-out process.
Google local pack not showing for many searchers
In some regions outside of the US, some are seeing local packs in the Google search results but in many regions they are not.
Google says it took down 45% more fake reviews in 2023 thanks to new algorithm
Google also shared new stats on actions it took in 2023 to block fake reviews and local listings.
Local SEO success: How to track rankings, conversions, calls
Learn tips for setting up and analyzing local SEO ranking reports to uncover opportunities and measure success.
Google tests Nearby Events and Deals local search feature
The newly introduced search box features four tiles showcasing promotions and events from nearby businesses.
Google Business Profile performance insights: What you need to know
Learn how to access and understand your Google Business Profile's performance. See metrics for views, calls, directions, bookings, and more.
Local SEO for new physical locations
Here's why and how to set up digital properties early to help maximize online visibility for brands opening new locations.
Best of the Bot: Write a blog post on local SEO for small businesses
A human asks Search Engine Land's ChatBot to create a blog post on the importance of local SEO for small businesses. Here's the answer.
Google Business Profile: The new suspension appeal process
Learn how to navigate the revamped process with confidence and provide the right documents and evidence for a successful reinstatement.
How to manage and optimize local listings for SEO
Learn tips for driving in-store visits and sales and making your business stand out in local search results with optimized local listings.
Google Maps new search results makes photos significantly more important
This is a new "photo-first" search result layout where business owners need to pay more attention to the photos that show up for their business listings.
How to use DIY content to boost your visibility and leads
Sharing expert knowledge through do-it-yourself tutorials can establish trust, engage your audience, and grow your business. Here’s how.
Google Business Profiles adds disabled-owned attribute to listings
Google also added new accessibility features to Google Maps.
5 useful GA4 dashboards for local SEO
Wondering where to go in GA4 to gather local SEO insights? These dashboards are key to developing an effective strategy.
Understanding explicit vs. implicit searches: The key to dominating local SEO
Here's how understanding the nuances between these search types can elevate your local search strategy and help drive better leads.
How to create a perfect location page for SEO and visitors
Ensure your business can be found both online and offline by implementing the key elements of well-crafted location pages.
5 top tips to boost your local SEO efforts
Position your local business for success and connect with your target audience more effectively with these impactful local SEO strategies.
How to create local content that builds trust and drives sales
Fuel your local SEO strategy with compelling content that builds authority, answers objections, and drives sales.
Unleashing the potential of Google reviews for local SEO
Find out how to boost your business's credibility and influence local SEO rankings with authentic customer feedback.
How to respond to negative reviews harming your company’s reputation
Here's why responding to negative online reviews matters, plus tips for addressing dissatisfied customers' concerns.
How to use location-specific authority content for SEO
Boost visibility in the SERPs, increase trust, and bring in leads for your business with outstanding location pages and blog posts.
Google files lawsuit over fake review scams
Google said in this case the alleged scammers created 350 fraudulent Business Profiles and over 14,000 fake reviews.
Google Bard now can use your device’s precise location for more relevant local results
To enable this, manage your preferences in location settings.
Google Local Service Ads mass policy violations
Google is investigating if this is a bug or a new enforcement of some kind.
How Google Business Profile pre-defined services can impact local SEO
Looking to boost your local SEO rankings? Consider adding pre-defined services to your Google Business Profile listing. Learn more here.
The SEO hierarchy of needs for local businesses on a budget
Focus on the local SEO hierarchy of needs, and get the right foundations in place for a chance to compete in the SERPs. Here's how.
5 reasons your Google Business Profile might get suspended
Some “unwritten” rules can trigger your GBP's suspension and impact your local search visibility. Here are some violations to watch out for.
How to build an E-E-A-T strategy for local SEO
Develop a holistic strategy that emphasizes the quality of your organization's digital presence with this local SEO guide to E-E-A-T.
Google Maps can detect fake phone numbers in photos and remove them
Google also shared some states on how it fought fake reviews and content in local search.
2023 Survey: Local search ranking factors
Whitespark has surveyed dozens of local SEO experts to compile what they believe are the most important ranking factors for local search.
Optimizing for Bing Places: Is it worth it?
Despite its limitations compared to Google Business Profile, Bing Places can be a solid source of local organic traffic for some industries.