The Top Local SEO Ranking Factors for 2024

Ranking Factors 2024

90's fun fact: The very first website went live August 6, 1991

Primary GBP Category

The primary category you select for your Google Business Profile (GBP) is crucial as it directly influences your visibility in relevant searches. Selecting the most accurate and specific category ensures that your business appears in front of potential customers who are actively looking for your services, thereby improving your local SEO ranking.

Keywords in GBP Business Title

Incorporating keywords in your GBP business title can significantly boost your local SEO rankings. Ensure that the business title includes relevant keywords that your target audience is likely to use when searching for services like yours. This enhances visibility and attracts more traffic to your profile.

Proximity of Address to the Point of Search (Searcher-Business Distance)

The distance between your business location and the searcher's location is a key factor in local SEO rankings. Ensuring that your address is accurately listed can improve your chances of appearing in local search results, especially for users who are searching for services "near me."

Physical Address in City of Search

Having a physical address within the city of the search query greatly improves your local SEO ranking. This is because search engines prioritize businesses that are geographically relevant to the searcher. Make sure your address is up-to-date and accurately reflects your business location.

Removal of spam listings through spam fighting

Maintaining the integrity of your GBP by removing spam listings is essential for local SEO. This ensures that only legitimate businesses appear in search results, which can improve your credibility and rankings. Regularly monitor and report any fraudulent or duplicate listings.

High Numerical Google Ratings

High ratings on Google Reviews are a strong indicator of quality and customer satisfaction. Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive ratings to boost your profile's credibility and improve your local SEO ranking. High ratings can also influence potential customers' decisions.

Additional GBP Categories

Adding relevant additional categories to your GBP can enhance your profile's visibility in various search queries. This allows your business to appear in a broader range of searches, attracting more potential customers and improving your local SEO performance.

Quantity of Native Google Reviews (w/text)

The number of detailed reviews you have on Google can significantly impact your local SEO ranking. Encourage customers to leave comprehensive reviews as they provide valuable content that search engines use to evaluate your business's relevance and quality.

Verified GBP

Verifying your Google Business Profile adds an extra layer of credibility and trustworthiness. A verified profile is more likely to be favored by search engines, improving your local SEO ranking and making your business more attractive to potential customers.

Proximity of Address to Centroid

Your business's proximity to the centroid of the city or area you are targeting can impact your local SEO ranking. Being closer to the central point of the city can make your business more likely to appear in local search results, enhancing visibility.

Keywords in GBP Landing Page Title

Including relevant keywords in the title of your GBP landing page can enhance its SEO performance. This practice helps search engines understand the content of your page better, making it more likely to appear in relevant local search results.

Completeness of GBP

A complete Google Business Profile, filled out with all relevant information, signals to search engines that your business is legitimate and reliable. Make sure all sections of your GBP are thoroughly completed to improve your local SEO ranking and user trust.

Sustained Influx of Reviews Over Time (rather than bursts)

A steady stream of reviews over time is more beneficial for local SEO than a sudden surge. Consistent reviews indicate ongoing customer engagement and satisfaction, which can help maintain and improve your search engine ranking.

Dedicated Page for Each Service

Creating dedicated pages for each service you offer can improve your local SEO by providing more specific content for search engines to index. This practice helps in ranking higher for various service-related search queries, attracting more targeted traffic.

Keywords in GBP Landing Page Headings (H1, H2, etc)

Using keywords in the headings of your GBP landing page helps search engines understand the structure and relevance of your content. Properly optimized headings can improve your local SEO ranking and make your content more accessible to searchers.

Proper Placement of the Map Pin

Ensuring that your business's map pin is accurately placed on Google Maps is essential for local SEO. An incorrect placement can lead to confusion and reduced visibility in local searches. Verify your map pin location to improve search accuracy.

Geographic (City/Neighborhood) Keyword Relevance of Domain Content

Incorporating geographic keywords related to your city or neighborhood into your domain content can boost your local SEO. This relevance helps search engines connect your business with local searches, increasing the chances of appearing in relevant results.

Internal Linking Across Entire Website

Effective internal linking across your website helps search engines crawl and index your site more efficiently. This practice enhances your site's SEO, including local SEO, by distributing page authority and making your content more accessible.

Quantity of Inbound Links to Domain from Locally-Relevant Domains

Inbound links from locally relevant domains can significantly enhance your local SEO. These links act as endorsements, indicating to search engines that your business is reputable and relevant within the local community.

Recency of Reviews

Recent reviews are highly valued by search engines as they reflect current customer experiences. Encourage customers to leave reviews regularly to maintain a fresh flow of feedback, which can improve your local SEO ranking.

Quantity of Inbound Links to GBP Landing Page URL from Locally-Relevant Domains

Links from locally relevant domains to your GBP landing page are crucial for local SEO. These inbound links help establish your business's authority and relevance in the local area, boosting your search engine rankings.

Consistency of Citations on Primary Search Engines (Google Maps, Bing Maps, Apple Maps)

Consistent citations across major search engines are vital for local SEO. Ensure that your business information is uniform across Google Maps, Bing Maps, and Apple Maps to enhance your credibility and improve local search rankings.

HTML NAP Matching GBP NAP

Ensuring that the Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) in your website's HTML matches your GBP information is critical for local SEO. Consistent NAP information helps search engines verify your business details, improving your search rankings.

Internal Links TO GBP Landing Page from Other Pages of Website

Linking to your GBP landing page from other pages on your website helps distribute authority and improves the page's SEO. This internal linking strategy can enhance your local search visibility and overall site performance.

Quality/Authority of Inbound Links to Domain

High-quality inbound links from authoritative domains boost your site's credibility and SEO performance. These links signal to search engines that your content is valuable and trustworthy, improving your local search rankings.

Quality/Authority of Inbound Links to GBP Landing Page URL

Inbound links from authoritative sources to your GBP landing page significantly enhance your local SEO. These links serve as endorsements, indicating the relevance and trustworthiness of your business to search engines.

Quantity of Inbound Links to Landing Page URL from Industry-Relevant Domains

Having multiple inbound links from industry-relevant domains to your landing page improves its SEO. These links indicate that your content is valued within your industry, boosting your local search rankings.

Age of Google Business Profile

The age of your Google Business Profile can influence its credibility and local SEO performance. Older, established profiles are often seen as more trustworthy by search engines, which can positively impact your rankings.

Keywords in Anchor Text of Inbound Links to GBP Landing Page URL

Including keywords in the anchor text of inbound links to your GBP landing page can enhance its SEO. This practice helps search engines understand the context and relevance of the linked content, improving your local search visibility.

Volume of Searches for Business Name

The frequency with which your business name is searched can impact your local SEO. A higher volume of searches indicates popularity and relevance, which can improve your ranking in local search results.

Topical (Product/Service) Keyword Relevance Across Entire Website

Ensuring that your website content is relevant to your products or services is crucial for SEO. Use relevant keywords consistently across your site to improve your search rankings and attract more targeted traffic.

Quantity of Inbound Links to Domain from Industry-Relevant Domains

Inbound links from industry-relevant domains can significantly enhance your site's authority and SEO. These links indicate to search engines that your content is valuable within your industry, boosting your local search rankings.

Volume of Quality Content on Service Pages

High-quality, comprehensive content on your service pages is essential for local SEO. Detailed and informative content helps attract and retain visitors, improving your site's search engine performance.

Keywords in Native Google Reviews

Encouraging customers to use relevant keywords in their Google reviews can boost your local SEO. These keywords help search engines understand the context of the reviews, improving your business's visibility in relevant searches.

Reference to Location Specific Entities on GBP Landing Page

Mentioning local landmarks, neighborhoods, or other entities on your GBP landing page can enhance its local relevance. This practice helps search engines associate your business with the specific area, improving your local search rankings.

Website's Degree of Focus on a Specific Niche

A website that clearly focuses on a specific niche is likely to perform better in search rankings. Concentrate your content on your particular area of expertise to attract a targeted audience and improve your local SEO.

Keywords in Anchor Text of Inbound Links to Domain

Using relevant keywords in the anchor text of inbound links to your domain can improve your SEO. This practice helps search engines understand the linked content's context and relevance, enhancing your local search rankings.

Click-Through from Search Results for Relevant Search Terms / from Geographically Relevant Locations

High click-through rates from search results indicate that your listing is relevant to users. Optimizing your title and meta description to attract clicks can improve your local SEO and overall search performance.

Positive Sentiment in Review Text

Positive reviews are a strong indicator of customer satisfaction and can significantly boost your local SEO. Encourage happy customers to leave detailed, positive reviews to enhance your profile's credibility and visibility.

Quantity of Native Google Ratings (no text)

Even ratings without text can impact your local SEO. A high volume of ratings suggests a popular and trusted business, which can improve your search engine rankings.

Mobile-friendly/Responsive Website

A mobile-friendly or responsive website is crucial for local SEO as more users search on mobile devices. Ensure your site is optimized for mobile to provide a better user experience and improve your search rankings.

Business Title in Anchor Text of Inbound Links to GBP Landing Page URL

Using your business title in the anchor text of inbound links to your GBP landing page helps improve its SEO. This practice reinforces the relevance of your business name and improves search engine visibility.

Proper Category Associations on Aggregators and Tier 1 Citation Sources

Accurately categorizing your business on major aggregators and citation sources is vital for local SEO. Ensure your business is listed under the correct categories to improve visibility and search rankings.

Quantity of Citations from Locally-Relevant Domains

Citations from locally relevant domains enhance your business's local SEO. These citations act as endorsements from the local community, boosting your credibility and search rankings.

Internal Links FROM GBP Landing Page to Other Pages of Website

Linking from your GBP landing page to other relevant pages on your website helps distribute authority and improve SEO. This practice enhances the user experience and makes your site easier to navigate.

Authority of Third-Party Sites on Which Reviews are Present

Reviews on authoritative third-party sites can boost your local SEO. These reviews indicate to search engines that your business is credible and trusted, improving your search rankings.

Diversity of Inbound Links to GBP Landing Page URL

Having a diverse range of inbound links to your GBP landing page from various sources enhances your SEO. This diversity signals to search engines that your content is widely recognized and valued, improving your local search visibility.

Quantity of Engagement Signals on GBP

Engagement signals such as clicks, calls, and direction requests on your GBP can impact your local SEO. High engagement levels indicate a popular and relevant business, boosting your search rankings.

Click-Through Rate from Search Results (General)

A high click-through rate from search results indicates that your listing is relevant and appealing to users. Optimize your meta descriptions and titles to attract more clicks and improve your local SEO performance.

Diversity of Inbound Links to Domain

A diverse range of inbound links to your domain from various sources can improve your overall SEO. These links indicate a wide recognition of your content's value, enhancing your search engine rankings.

Prominence on Key Industry-Relevant Domains

Having a strong presence on key industry-relevant domains can significantly boost your SEO. This prominence indicates to search engines that your business is an authority in your industry, improving your search rankings.

Keywords in Titles Across Entire Website

Including relevant keywords in the titles across your website helps improve SEO. Well-optimized titles make it easier for search engines to understand the content of your pages, enhancing your visibility in search results.

Load Time of GBP Landing Page

The load time of your GBP landing page affects both user experience and SEO. A fast-loading page is more likely to rank higher in search results and provide a better experience for visitors, reducing bounce rates.

Volume of Quality Content on Entire Website

The overall volume of high-quality content on your website is crucial for SEO. Comprehensive and valuable content attracts and retains visitors, improving your site's search engine performance.

Driving Directions to Business Clicks

Clicks on driving directions to your business from your GBP indicate a high level of interest and intent. This engagement signal can positively impact your local SEO, showing search engines that users are actively seeking your location.

Consistency of Citations on Key Sites (Yellowpages, Yelp, D&B, CityGrid)

Consistent citations across key sites like Yellowpages, Yelp, D&B, and CityGrid are essential for local SEO. Ensure your business information is accurate and uniform across these platforms to boost credibility and search rankings.

Clicks to Call Business

Clicks to call your business from your GBP signal high user engagement and interest. This metric can improve your local SEO by indicating to search engines that users find your business relevant and actionable.

Keywords in Headings (H1, H2, etc) Across Entire Website

Using keywords in headings (H1, H2, etc.) across your website improves SEO by helping search engines understand the structure and relevance of your content. Well-optimized headings can enhance your visibility in search results.

Website Uses HTTPS by default

Using HTTPS by default is crucial for SEO and security. HTTPS encrypts data, protecting user information, and is favored by search engines, which can improve your search rankings and build user trust.

Quantity of Inbound Links to Domain

The total number of inbound links to your domain is a key factor in SEO. More links indicate that your content is valuable and authoritative, improving your search engine rankings and attracting more traffic.

Consistency of Citations on Data Aggregators (Infogroup, Localeze, Foursquare/Factual)

Ensuring consistent citations on data aggregators like Infogroup, Localeze, and Foursquare/Factual is vital for local SEO. Uniform information across these platforms boosts your business's credibility and search visibility.

Business Title in Anchor Text of Inbound Links to Domain

Including your business title in the anchor text of inbound links to your domain can improve your SEO. This practice reinforces your brand name and helps search engines associate your business with relevant keywords.

Diversity of Anchor Text to GBP Landing Page URL

A diverse range of anchor text linking to your GBP landing page can enhance SEO. This variety indicates to search engines that your content is relevant to multiple contexts, improving your local search rankings.

Quantity of Citations from Industry-Relevant Domains

Citations from industry-relevant domains strengthen your local SEO. These citations act as endorsements within your industry, signaling to search engines that your business is authoritative and trustworthy.