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!
Local vs. traditional SEO
Explore the differences between local and traditional SEO.
Google Maps + Local Search rankings are NOT the same
Are you sure you know how Local Search rankings really work? Discover how this differs from performance in Google Maps.
The new Google Business Profile verification flow: Platinum Product Expert explains how to succeed
New changes to GBP verification mean you need to have more information ready to prove your business is real.
Key Metrics for Local SEO Success
Learn what duplicate content is, why it matters for SEO, and how to identify and resolve it.
Why website content won’t boost your Google Maps keyword rankings
Blogging won't improve your Google Maps rankings. Find out why this SEO myth persists and what strategies actually move the needle.
Understanding local search intent
What role does local intent play in Google SERPs?
GBP tests ‘Places people are talking about,’ hints at unstructured citation power
Refine your understanding of what consistency means in terms of local citations, both structured and unstructured, and get the latest Google insights.
Google Posts gain AI-enhanced images feature
Now when you add a post in Google Business Profiles, you can add AI-generated backgrounds to your images.
The current state of Google local justifications
Learn how to use Google's local justifications to improve your visibility in local packs and Google Maps.
Nostalgia: your untapped local marketing opportunity
Nostalgia might be the missing piece you need to combine with social listening & brand monitoring to resonate with your target audience.
Google bug cause reviews to drop out of local listings
Starting this past Friday, Google seems to be showing fewer and fewer reviews on Google local listings. It seems like it is a bug that Google is working to fix.
Product studio now available within Google Business Profiles
When you manage your products within your local listings, you can now use Google Product Studio to change the background scenes.
Google search trends every restaurant needs to know in 2025
From YouTube Shorts to AI-driven search trends, Google’s latest insights show what’s next for restaurant marketing.
How to use SEO to enhance your visibility within a specific geographic area
Use these geotargeted tactics to optimize your site for local audiences and stand out in regional searches.
Local SEO in 2025: banes, blessings, and predictions
From the latest on Google's anti-monopoly trial to developments in how Business Profiles show in local search, see why 2025 is already exciting.
Google’s review deletions: Why 5-star reviews are disappearing
Google is deleting 5-star reviews at an alarming rate. Learn what it means for your business and how to safeguard your online reputation.
How to set up and optimize your Google Business Profile
Learn how to create and optimize your Google Business Profile to boost visibility, attract local customers, and improve your online presence.
Google Business Profile’s AI-transcribed menu upload just got better
GBP now accepts multi-page PDF menus. Find out how this AI-powered update simplifies uploads, boosts accuracy and enhances restaurant SEO.
Google’s Local Guide program: Wins, woes and what’s next?
Is Google’s Local Guides program a rewarding community initiative or a flawed system? Explore its successes, failures and ethical dilemmas.
How FTC’s new review policy could impact your local SEO
Navigate the FTC's new review regulations confidently with tips for compliant review collection, Google Business Profile management and more.
Top SEO tips for location-specific websites
Learn how SEO differs for service area vs. brick-and-mortar businesses. Boost your presence with targeted tactics to reach local customers.
How to pick the right Google Business Profile categories
Choose effective primary and secondary GBP categories to improve your search rankings and connect with more local customers.
6 Google Business Profile questions asked and answered
Get answers to common questions on GBP listing edits, suspensions, address updates, review management and finding support.
Apple Visual Intelligence – search using your iPhone camera
Apple uses Google, OpenAI and other search providers for the search results.
FTC finalizes rule to combat fake reviews, testimonials
FTC bans fake reviews, empowering the agency to seek penalties against violators and combat AI-generated deception in online marketplaces.
11 local SEO tools you should be using
From analytics to rank tracking, boost your local SEO with these tools. Learn how to use them effectively and understand their limitations.
New Google Business Profile AI tool creates a menu from an image
Learn how Google's AI-powered feature helps you create a detailed menu from a photo, along with its benefits and limitations.
Google Business Profile chat is gone and call history going away
This is just a reminder that Google has discontinued Google Business Profile chat yesterday and call history is going away.
The Google Maps pin scam: A new Google Business Profile threat
Understand how this deceptive practice affects rankings and learn the safe way to correct your listing's location.
Report: Menu items, busier businesses may be Google local ranking signals
Google has not specifically confirmed this but a new local SEO report says these may be newly discovered local ranking signals.
Google Chrome mobile adds local places to Chrome Actions
Searchers with this Chrome Action enabled can quickly call, get directions and read reviews from the Chrome search bar.
Yelp adds 8 searchable accessibility business attributes
Businesses can add accessibility attributes including accessible parking near entrance, ASL proficient and QR code menus available.
5 local SEO insights from Google’s API documentation leak
Local search takeaways from leaked Google API docs, covering video content, click behavior, local authority and more.
6 SEO tactics for home service companies
Boost your home services company's online visibility with niche-specific tactics, such as cost pages, calculators and more.
Survey: 54% of people look through more search results vs. 5 years ago
What frustrates users most: looking through search results, visiting multiple websites and figuring out the right search term.
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.