Top 19 Local Search Ranking Signals You Need To Know (2022)

Top 19 Local Search Ranking Signals You Need To Know.

In this article I will show you how to increase your chances of being included in the Google’s Local pack by learning the 19 Local Search Ranking Signals you need to optimize for.

For a local business to rank is challenging for three reasons:

1. A surge of businesses recognizing the value of local SEO are making results more competitive.

2. An uptick in Mobile uses because more people are using their phones to find businesses near them.

3. Google local pack, which was once the top seven, is now just the top three.

So how to you appear at the top of these competitive local results, so as to get in front of the people searching for products and services like yours.

You’ll learn about 19 specific local ranking signals you need to understand and optimize for in order to perform well in local search.

Before we dive in, let’s take a look at how these changes with Google’s Map pack are a game changer for businesses.

Current map pack changes you need to be aware of

Google’s Local pack is where a searcher makes a query with local intent and Google’s three most important results show up above the organic listings.

The relevance of the local pack tool is very evident, that Google is always modifying the local pack to be more useful to searchers.

For instance, Google of recent announced that they are rolling out to the search interface on desktop that when people search for places or business nearby, such “pizza outlet near me”,
They will easily see local results on the left and a map on the right.

Here is an example from the image below:

Why is Google’s local pack so important?

Ranking Locally for your business is very important and local SEO must be a critical component of your strategy if you hope to increase your odds of getting ranked in Google’s Local Pack.

Another importance of Google’s Local Pack is that it allows the searcher convenience to quickly find a business near them and as well see hours, mobile numbers, reviews and more without click through a website.

There is no exact formula for getting to the top with the level of fierce competition.

But, in this article we will outline important steps you can take to build your local online presence and increase your chances of ranking.

The Top Local SEO Ranking Signals.

1. Consistent Name, Address, and Phone Number (NAP)

Be consistent with your business name, address and phone number through every medium to allow Google searches to provide accurate information.
A consistent name, address and phone number can make it easy for your customers to connect with your business.

Attention to detail is very important.

For example, if your business name is Jenny’s Kitchen, on one site and Jenny’s KitchenS on another site, the slight difference in name could cause confusion.

2. Localized content: local search ranking signals

Consistent publication of content is key.
Set a goal for ongoing content and measure your progress to ensure results.
Make sure you can organically include your key term and location.

For instance, write about local events, share efforts to raise funds for a local charity, include information topics important in the community.
Think about what concerns your brand.

3. Google Business Profile Categories

Categories describe your business and help you connect to the customers who are looking for you.

Choose a primary category that describes your business as a whole and be specific.

For example, if you are a nail salon, select “nail salon” rather than just “salon.”

4. Photos On Google Business Profile

You can add photos or videos to your Google My Business Page. These could include your location, products, staff, and even customers (with permission, of course).

Photos can add interest and credibility to your listing and also serve as a local ranking signal.

5. Online Directories/Citation

Claim your business in other popular online directories, such as these:

Apple Maps.
Yellowpages.
Foursquare.
Yahoo’s Localworks.

6. Listings On Review Sites: local Search ranking signals

A study by Harvard Business Review shows the power of listings on review sites.

Their findings were that a business’s one-star improvement in YELP rating leads to a 5-9% increase in revenue.

To get reviews, start by getting listed on these sites:

Yelp.
Glassdoor.
Angie’s List.

It appears that reviews on Google carry the most weight, but listings on these other sites are still very valuable.

7. Number Of Positive Reviews

Achieving positive reviews and interacting with your customers by responding to their reviews is important.

According to Google, high-quality reviews help the customer by improving your business’s visibility and increasing the likelihood that a customer will visit your location.

It is important to respond to reviews.

Don’t forget this important caveat to this recommendation on seeking positive reviews: It is against their policies to buy reviews by asking for reviews in exchange for something else.

Other sites, such as YELP, similarly have policies in place against manipulation with the goal to keep the reviews authentic and unbiased.

8. Reviews With Keywords And Locations.

Not all reviews are created equal.

When reviewers use the city or keywords, it sends signals to Google that you are a trusted local business.

If you have many products or services, it’s recommended to have your customers send them in individually and according to the specific product or service that they have.

9. Percentage Of Negative Reviews Not Responded To

In a double whammy, the number of reviews with responses counts, but so does negative reviews with no responses.

You need to have a plan in place for responding to all reviews and particularly negative ones. Read here for more guidance on how to handle negative reviews.

Google has set up a system if you believe there has been an inappropriate or negative review on Google and want to get it removed.

10. Create A Facebook Business Page

Many people are comfortable with Facebook and use it as a search engine, so it is on this list.

Make sure you at least create a business page and update it with your website, hours, and a description.

Social signals may have a limited impact but they do have an impact on social SEO.

Social signals may have a limited impact but they do have an impact on social SEO.Screenshot by author, November 2021

11. Structured Data Markup

There are several ways you can use structured data markups for local SEO, including for:

Multiple departments.
Hours.
Address.
Menu.
Website.
Phone number.
These are highly recommended by Google. You can add markups using Google’s guide or a tool like Schema.

It is also worth noting there is some lack of clarity on whether including GPS coordinates within structured data is helpful.

12. Social Listings: local Search ranking signals

Whether you plan to be active on social listings or not, you should at minimum claim your business on all of the popular social sites such as Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Pin a tweet or post inviting users to call/visit your website/follow you on whatever social platform you are most active on.

In a survey of 3,200 customers, the average customer expectation of response time was four hours!

With an expectation of fast response from businesses on social, short turn-around replies, your business needs to reply lightning fast to meet this expectation.

Mobile Responsiveness
Google looks at your mobile site first, not your desktop site. This tool can help you get started on achieving mobile responsiveness.

13. Click-Through Rates From Search Results

If you are succeeding at SEO in general, you will do well in local SEO. Makes sense, right?

Focus on making sure your meta titles and descriptions make sense so users find what they expect when they arrive at your site.

14. On-Page Location + Keyword Optimization

15. Title + Meta Description

Include key terms and location in your title and meta descriptions when feasible.

This is in coordination with on-page location plus keyword optimization, but it is important enough to warrant mentioning separately.

16. High-Quality Inbound Links

Links from sites Google trusts are good for SEO. The topic of inbound links is important and extensive and a deep discussion is beyond the scope of this article.

17. Domain Authority To Your Website

Domain authority is a search ranking authority developed by Moz that predicts how likely a website is to rank.

Increasing your domain authority isn’t a quick or easy process, but it is likely to pay off handsomely.

18. Inbound Using Local + Keyword In Anchor Text

Are you ready to set a hard goal?

An inbound link from a high authority site using both your city or neighborhood and the main key term is like the “holy grail” of links.

19. Proximity To The Searcher

Your proximity to the searcher is what it is, and you can’t optimize this factor.

However, it is a strong ranking signal, which is why claiming your Google Business Profile and having a consistent name, address, and profile is important.

Conclusion

What do all these local SEO features mean for your local SEO strategies?

Here are the two major takeaways:

Your Google Business Profile is the first and most important place to start to optimize your local SEO ranking. Claim it. Make sure it’s complete and accurate. Choose the categories. Get reviews. Respond to reviews.
The second most important thing you can do for local SEO is to focus on a big-picture, holistic SEO strategy. Build a high-quality link profile, create useful well-researched content with both local and key terms, and make sure your meta descriptions are optimized.
Local SEO is a competitive field, but for most businesses, there is still room for growth and improvement.

This list will help you increase your chances of being included in Google’s Local Pack, but most importantly, it will help increase your ability to be found by and connect with local customers.