Local
Local SEO is the practice of optimizing your online presence so that your business shows up in local search results—especially on Google. It’s all about helping people near your physical location find you when they’re searching for your product or service.
Improving your local SEO strategy
Local SEO is crucial for businesses looking to capture nearby customers or increase online visibility in local markets. Whether you’re managing Google Business Profile listings, creating content for local keywords, or handling customer reviews, Search Engine Land offers the guidance you need to stay ahead. Explore strategies to maximize visibility in local search results, optimize your presence in Google Maps, and take advantage of advanced tools like local schema markup. With insights into location-based ranking factors, customer behavior trends, and algorithm updates, you’ll be equipped to fine-tune your approach for better results.
By optimizing for local SEO, you can:
📍 Show up in the Google Map Pack (top 3 local listings with map pins)
🔝 Rank higher in “near me” searches
💬 Increase calls, bookings, and foot traffic
⭐ Build trust with strong reviews and ratings
💸 Drive more qualified leads with high purchase intent
It’s one of the most cost-effective marketing strategies for local businesses.
Future outlook for local SEO
In 2025, mobile-first behavior is still growing, and Google continues to prioritize personalized, location-based results. Voice searches like “Where can I get tacos right now?” are also on the rise—most of which are local intent searches. If you’re not showing up locally, you’re likely invisible to customers who are ready to buy right now.
What you read here is written by our experienced in-house team, and subject matter experts from leading brands and agencies. Don’t miss out on critical local SEO updates! Get the Search Engine Land newsletter delivered daily to your inbox. Subscribe for free and stay ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of local marketing!
How to extract GBP review insights to boost local SEO visibility
Gain a competitive edge by extracting actionable insights from your – and your competitors' – Google Business Profile reviews.
Google Business Profile chat and call history going away
July 31, 2024 Google will shut down call history and chat - you can download your history now.
How to reappeal a Google Business Profile suspension
Follow these steps to appeal your GBP suspension and increase your chances of getting reinstated on Google Maps and local search results.
How to navigate negative Glassdoor and Indeed company reviews
Dealing with negative reviews from former employees? Here’s how to respond properly and protect your company's online reputation.
Localized SERPs: Winning traffic and leads with service area pages
Service area pages are now critical for ranking for local search. Learn tips for making your localized content more relevant and appealing.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Breaking Bard: Google’s AI chatbot lacks sources, hallucinates, gives bad SEO advice
Google Bard suggests buying links, predicts the next Core Update and refuses to share links to its sources. We're off to a ridiculous start.
How ChatGPT can help with local SEO
From Google Business Profile to reviews and local link building, here are specific ways ChatGPT can (and can't) help in local SEO.
Google Maps removed policy-abiding reviews from Local Guides
Google is working on restoring the reviews over the next few weeks.
Google rolling out cars for sale in Google Business Profiles
US-based dealerships can now add all their inventory to their local business profile in Google.