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 SEO sprints: A 90-day plan for service businesses in 2026
From GBP fundamentals to reviews and service pages, this framework helps you turn local visibility into consistent calls and booked jobs.
Your local rankings look fine. So why are calls disappearing?
AI local packs and ads are shrinking organic space. New data shows why calls drop even when 3-pack positions hold — and what you must change.
How AI is reshaping local search and what enterprises must do now
AI now mediates how customers discover and choose local services. Learn how AI systems evaluate trust, data quality, and relevance.
AI local visibility is up to 30x harder than ranking in Google: Report
Data shows AI assistants recommend only 1% to 11% of locations, revealing a massive gap between Google rankings and AI visibility.
75% of ChatGPT users rely on ‘keywords’ for local services: New data
New data shows people use ChatGPT to find local healthcare and aesthetics providers through short prompts, keywords, and limited follow-up.
The local SEO gatekeeper: How Google defines your entity
Google won’t rank what it can’t confidently identify. See how business names and primary categories determine local search eligibility.
Why Google is deleting reviews at record levels
Reviews are disappearing faster as moderation systems, industry risk, and geography shape which reviews stay visible.
Scalable local SEO practices
Break down scalable local SEO practices that hold up at scale — covering structure, templates, tooling, workflows, and performance tracking.
Google’s Local Pack isn’t random – it’s rewarding ‘signal-fit’ brands
Data from 8.7 million Google Business Profiles reveals how industry signals – not generic SEO tactics – determine who wins visibility.
Google AI Mode sends traffic on 69% of transactional queries: New data
New UX testing shows AI Mode doesn’t kill high-value clicks. Users still visit websites when choosing doctors, dentists, and other services.
The proximity paradox: Beating local SEO’s distance bias
Struggling to rank beyond your map radius? Learn advanced local SEO tactics—entity building, review semantics, and localized content that beat proximity bias.
Google Maps adds know before you go, trending in explore tab and more
Reviewers can also now use a nickname and not their real name when leaving a Google review.
With negative review extortion scams on the rise, use Google’s report form
Last month, Google launched a form to report negative review extortion scams and it seems to work.
7 local SEO wins you get from keyword-rich Google reviews
Discover how keyword-rich Google reviews can boost your local visibility, engagement, and conversions – plus templates to help you.
Google Business Profiles What’s happening feature expands
It is now available for multi-location restaurants, not just single-location restaurants.
How to execute a multi-location website redesign without losing traffic
Discover the key elements of a multi-location website redesign that will protect your SEO and drive long-term success.
Offline SEO: How to build authority beyond the digital space
Local SEO goes beyond your website. Learn how offline signals—reviews, citations, community presence, and word of mouth—boost visibility in search.
New Bing Places for Business is live
A new interface, new URL, new commendations and more are now live in the updated Bing Places for Business.
Google reviews & SEO: Advanced strategies that scale
Google Reviews impact local rankings, trust, and CTR. Learn advanced tactics to earn, manage, and leverage reviews for enterprise SEO success.
How to handle negative Google reviews & protect your brand
Negative Google review? Respond strategically to protect your reputation, rebuild trust, and turn unhappy customers into loyal advocates.
Why local SEO is thriving in the AI-first search era
AI may dominate search, but local queries still drive action. Discover actionable steps for maximizing your local presence across platforms.
Google Ads Masterclass: Local search strategies that convert
Join this Masterclass to hear Google Ads experts share actionable strategies to capture more high-quality leads and prove the full value of your local ad spend.
Service area pages: Boost local SEO across locations
Target multiple cities without duplicate content. Learn how to create service area pages that rank locally, convert visitors, and support your SEO strategy.
How to get your service area business verified on Google
Master Google verification for service area businesses. Prepare documents, ace video verification, and keep your profile compliant.
Location page SEO: Rank locally, convert visitors fast
Want to win in local search? Learn how to optimize location pages for SEO with the right content, structure, and signals to boost visibility and conversions.
GEO x local SEO: What it means for the future of discovery
You can dominate local rankings yet disappear in AI search. Learn how to win the citations that actually drive local customers.
Winning the local SEO game in the age of AI
Learn what Google’s AI is prioritizing, what consumers really care about—and how smart agencies are turning reviews into ranking power and revenue.
Structured vs unstructured citations for local SEO
What’s the difference between structured and unstructured citations? Learn how both impact local SEO, visibility, and trust—plus how to optimize them.
Google Business Profiles Posts creation tool refreshed
Google Posts is easier to manage and use with these new user interface updates.
How to boost local SEO: 4 AI-driven tactics that get results
Make your business easier to find with smarter local SEO. Explore AI-powered ways to improve search performance and customer engagement.
“Near me” SEO: Optimize for local searches that convert
Capture high-intent local traffic. Learn how to rank in “near me” searches with smart SEO tactics, GBP tips, and hyperlocal content strategies.
UTMs for Google Business Profile: Track clicks smarter
Learn how to use UTM parameters to track traffic from your Google Business Profile. Unlock insights, measure ROI, and fine-tune local SEO performance.
Google updates local ranking documentation
Are these changes signaling changes to how Google local rankings work or did Google just clarify its existing document.
How to win with your local marketing strategy (with AI, SEO, and Community)
Master local marketing with proven SEO, social, and offline tactics to boost visibility, build trust, and grow your local customer base fast.
Why your Google event post isn’t showing and how to fix it
GBP event posts for restaurants and bars can show in mobile search – but only if done right. Here’s how to meet Google’s criteria.
Build rankings, authority, and AI search visibility with hyperlocal PR
As AI search evolves, one old-school tactic is gaining new power: hyperlocal PR.
AI and local search: The new rules of visibility and ROI in 2025
As AI reshapes search and customer journeys, learn how to optimize your local presence for visibility in 2025.
Local keyword research: Boost local SEO with the right terms
Discover how to uncover high-impact local keywords that drive foot traffic, leads, and visibility. Dominate local search with smarter SEO targeting.
How AI changes how we respond to negative reviews and comments
Negative feedback can damage your brand, but AI is making it easier to respond with empathy and consistency at scale. Here’s how it works.
Why Google reviews will power up your local SEO in 2025
Photo-rich, specific reviews help your business rank higher in local search. Here's how to build a smarter Google review strategy.