How does Google local search work?<\/b><\/h2>\n
Google local search shows nearby businesses that match what someone is searching for, ranked mainly on relevance, distance and how well known each business is.
\nGoogle wants to show the most useful local businesses on its search engine results pages (SERPs), so you need to target the words and phrases customers actually type when they look for a business like yours. These words and phrases are called keywords. Local searches might include keywords like “electronics stores near me” or “Kenosha restaurants.”<\/p>\n
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The first step in making your website more visible in organic, local searches is to optimize for Google, because Google handles about 90 percent of all searches worldwide (89.94 percent in September 2026, according to StatCounter<\/a>). Your Google Business Profile is free, and it makes it more likely that Google will include your business in local SERPs.<\/p>\n Your Google Business Profile works like a free ad, and it includes lots of information about your business that helps Google recommend it in relevant searches. Getting a profile is easy. According to Google’s guide to adding or claiming a Business Profile<\/a>, you can add your business with the following steps:<\/p>\n If you’re not authorized, or your information is incorrect, Google won’t verify the profile until it has an authorized, accurate listing. You can also postpone verification until later. However, until your profile is verified, you can’t manage your business information or reply to reviews. You might receive a warning that the profile is already claimed. For example, the previous owner of the business might not have removed the listing for that address. Follow Google’s directions for requesting ownership.<\/p>\n You can add other information about your business, including photos and videos. Google suggests using photos and videos<\/a> to show customers what you offer and tell the story of your business. Google also lets you add many other details about your business. For example:<\/p>\n Google’s formula for ranking local searches is no big secret. Google says local results are mainly based on relevance, distance and prominence<\/a>, and that more reviews and positive ratings can help your business’s local ranking. Any business can improve its local ranking, but many never optimize their Business Profile, the most important free tool for winning local customers from online searches. You optimize your Google reviews by verifying your Business Profile, asking every customer for honest feedback, and replying to every review quickly and politely. To manage your reviews, sign in to the Google Account you use for your Business Profile, go to your profile and select Read reviews, where you can read each review and reply to it. If you manage several locations, choose the location first. After reading a review, you get a prompt to answer the review. You can use a boilerplate response to give you more time to investigate any complaints. It’s important to follow up on each review, and you should thank customers who write favorable reviews.<\/p>\n Google doesn’t copy your Google reviews to other review sites. Customers review businesses separately on many other platforms, so follow each site’s own rules for encouraging reviews on the sites that matter to your customers. Some of the top review sites include:<\/p>\n No. Google retired the separate Google My Business app, so you now manage your Business Profile in the Google Maps app or directly in Google Search. Managing your profile from your phone is handy for posting new photos and finding out what your customers really think about your business. You can read Google reviews in spare moments and reply faster, which keeps customers happy with your quick customer service.How do you get a Google Business Profile?<\/b><\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nWhat criteria does Google use to rank local results?<\/b><\/h3>\n
\nLocal searches matter because people seldom use yellow page directories these days, and many check online whether a shop is open and carries what they need before they visit. Busy customers want quick answers, so make things easy for them if you want to land their business.<\/p>\nHow do you optimize your Google reviews?<\/b><\/h2>\n
\nReview management is a bit tricky. Anyone signed in to a Google Account can leave a review on Google Maps<\/a> (anonymous reviews aren’t allowed), so any business can be reviewed at any time, even one that hasn’t claimed its profile. However, you must verify your business before you can reply to reviews<\/a>. Once your profile is verified, sign in to your Business Profile to manage your reviews.<\/p>\nHow do you manage your reviews?<\/b><\/h3>\n
\nReading and responding to reviews are the most important steps to optimizing your listing and attracting other reviewers. Reviews aren’t just pats on the back or complaints; reviews show you things about your business that you might miss, such as exceptional or poor customer service. Ideally you want to encourage all reviews, even bad ones, and show customers that you care enough to try to make things right if there’s a problem.<\/p>\n\n
Is there a Google Business Profile app?<\/b><\/h3>\n
\nOn your phone, Google explains how to edit your Business Profile with the Google Maps app<\/a>: open the app, tap Business, then tap Edit profile. From there you can update your details, add photos and read and reply to your Google reviews from anywhere.<\/p>\n![\"How](\"https:\/\/diib.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/google-my-business-reviews2.jpg\")
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