Master the 2023 Local SEO Ranking Factors and Dominate Google's Local Pack!
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- Importance of Google Local Pack Ranking Factors
- Primary Category
- Presence of Keywords in Business Name
- Proximity to Searcher
- Location of Business
- Fighting Against Spam Listings
- Google Rating and Reviews
- Additional Google Business Categories
- Number of Reviews
- Importance of Dedicated Pages for Each Service
- Internal Linking Across Website
- Quality and Authority of Inbound Links
- Geographic Keyword Relevance
- Keywords in Google Business Profile Landing Page Title
- Quantity of Inbound Links from Locally Relevant Domains
- Topical Product or Service Keyword Relevance
- Volume of Quality Content on Service Pages
- Conclusion
Introduction
In today's digital landscape, ranking well in local search results is crucial for businesses looking to increase their visibility and attract more customers. Google's Local Pack plays a significant role in determining which businesses are displayed prominently in search results. To understand how to achieve a higher ranking in the Local Pack, it's important to be aware of the key factors that influence these rankings. This article will explore the 19 most important local SEO ranking factors for 2023, as identified by a survey conducted by White Spark.
Importance of Google Local Pack Ranking Factors
The Local Pack is a highly sought-after section of Google search results, appearing prominently at the top of the page. It displays a map and a list of businesses that are relevant to a user's search query, along with their contact information and ratings. Ranking well in the Local Pack can significantly boost a business's visibility and attract more potential customers. By understanding and optimizing the following ranking factors, businesses can increase their chances of appearing in the Local Pack and outperforming their competitors.
Primary Category
The primary category of a Google Business profile is the most crucial ranking factor to consider. Choosing the right primary category heavily influences the chances of showing up in the Local Pack. For businesses with multiple applicable categories, careful consideration is needed. It's recommended to analyze competitors' primary categories using tools like the GMB Everywhere Google Chrome extension to ensure a wise choice.
Presence of Keywords in Business Name
Including relevant keywords in the business name is another important ranking factor. Adding keywords that genuinely represent the business can significantly improve visibility in the Local Pack. However, it's essential to adhere to Google's guidelines and avoid keyword stuffing for the sake of ranking.
Proximity to Searcher
The proximity of a business to the person performing the search is a crucial determinant of its ranking in the Local Pack. Unfortunately, there's not much businesses can do to influence this factor, as it relies on physical location. Businesses located closer to the searcher have a higher chance of showing up in the Local Pack.
Location of Business
The location of a business plays a significant role in its appearance in the Local Pack. If a search includes the name of the city where the business is located or if the searcher's device is based in that city, the business is more likely to show up in the Local Pack. Therefore, businesses outside the search location may find it challenging to appear in the Local Pack. In some cases, relocating the business to the target market's city can be a strategic move.
Fighting Against Spam Listings
Spam listings can negatively impact a business's visibility in the Local Pack. Some business owners resort to spammy tactics like fake addresses, fake reviews, and keyword-stuffed business names to rank higher. Fighting against these spammers has become a major strategy among local SEO experts. Reporting competitors' sketchy behavior to Google using the Google Redressal Form can help level the playing field.
Google Rating and Reviews
High numerical Google ratings and positive reviews can significantly impact a business's ranking in the Local Pack. Businesses with lower ratings tend to rank lower, while those with higher ratings have an advantage. Good reviews also improve customer perception of the business, prompting them to choose it over competitors.
Additional Google Business Categories
While the primary category holds significant importance for Google rankings, adding extra categories to a Google Business profile can also make a difference. Analyzing competitor listings and incorporating relevant secondary categories can further enhance visibility in the Local Pack.
Number of Reviews
Having a substantial number of reviews on a Google listing can boost ranking in the Local Pack. A recent study suggests that hitting 10 reviews can lead to a significant ranking improvement. However, beyond 10 reviews, the impact on rankings diminishes. Therefore, businesses should aim for at least 10 reviews to establish credibility, but not limit themselves to that number.
Importance of Dedicated Pages for Each Service
Creating dedicated pages on a website for each service offered is crucial for local organic rankings. By targeting specific keywords for each service and ranking locally, businesses can increase their visibility and attract more relevant traffic. One-page websites or bundling all services onto a single page is not sufficient for optimal rankings.
Internal Linking Across Website
Employing internal links within a website is a highly effective SEO strategy that can considerably improve rankings. By linking pages together, businesses can signal to search engine crawlers the importance of specific pages. However, it's essential to ensure that important pages are properly linked from other parts of the website to boost their rankings.
Quality and Authority of Inbound Links
Inbound links from reputable websites can significantly impact a business's rankings in the Local Pack. Links from locally relevant domains, such as local chambers of commerce, local newspapers, or community organizations, carry more weight. Acquiring links from such sources signals to Google the local relevance and can boost visibility in local search results.
Geographic Keyword Relevance
Incorporating location-based keywords in website content is important for local SEO. Adding geo-targeted keywords strategically, such as in page titles and main headers, helps search engines understand the relevance of the website to a specific location. This improves the chances of ranking higher for location-specific search queries.
Keywords in Google Business Profile Landing Page Title
When linking a Google Business profile to a specific landing page on a website, it's crucial to ensure that the landing page's meta title includes primary target keywords. This simple optimization step can effectively improve local organic rankings in combination with other factors.
Quantity of Inbound Links from Locally Relevant Domains
Getting as many inbound links as possible from locally relevant websites can positively impact local search rankings. Even if the quality of these websites is not top-notch, links from local sources like car mechanics' websites or local cafes can make a significant difference. These links signal to Google the local relevance of a business's website and boost its visibility in local search results.
Topical Product or Service Keyword Relevance
Search engines assess topical relevance to determine a business's expertise in its industry. To rank higher in search results, businesses should ensure that their website covers a wide range of relevant topics related to their products or services. Targeting dental topics like teeth whitening, dental implants, gum treatment, and Invisalign can position a dentist as an authority in their field.
Volume of Quality Content on Service Pages
Creating separate pages for services is essential, but the quality of content on those pages is equally important. A well-optimized page should include custom images, before-and-after pictures, case studies, customer reviews, videos, and unique selling points. Providing engaging and informative content on service pages helps businesses gain trust, boost their reputation, and convert potential visitors into customers.
With a strong understanding of these 19 local SEO ranking factors, businesses can optimize their efforts to improve their rankings in Google's Local Pack and organic search results. By considering the importance of each factor and implementing the recommended strategies, businesses can increase their visibility, attract more customers, and gain a competitive advantage in their local market.
Conclusion
Ranking well in local search results is vital for businesses looking to increase their visibility and attract more customers. Google's Local Pack plays a significant role in determining which businesses are displayed prominently in search results. By understanding and optimizing the key ranking factors discussed in this article, businesses can improve their chances of appearing in the Local Pack and outperforming their competitors. It is important to stay updated with the latest SEO strategies to maintain a competitive edge in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
