Google Maps SEO Explained: Tips to Get Your Business Noticed

If your business isn’t showing up on Google Maps, you’re missing out on huge local traffic and potential customers. With millions of businesses competing for local searches, simply having a listing won’t cut it—you need Google Maps SEO to stand out.

No matter if you’re a small shop or a multi-location business, optimizing your Google Maps profile helps you build trust, rank higher, and attract more customers.

But how do you effectively optimize your listing for higher rankings? This guide will discuss the importance of SEO for Google Maps and share practical tips on how to rank in Google Maps so more customers can find you easily.

What is Google Maps SEO?

Google Maps SEO is the process of optimizing your business’s listing on Google Maps with the aim of ranking it higher in local search results.

When someone searches for a location on Google, the SERP results show a Local Pack—the top three local business listings right at the top of the search results. When displaying the local pack, Google is smart enough to determine whether the search has a local intent.

A strong SEO strategy helps show your business in the top rankings in Google Maps and boost the physical traffic to your business. For example, if you search “fast food restaurants near me” on Google, it will bring up the top three local places, complete with their ratings, addresses, reviews as well as locations on Google Maps.

Why You Need to Invest in SEO for Google Maps

With millions of business listings on Google Maps, your business profile should be more than just present to stand out. You need a strategic approach to optimize your visibility. Here are the key factors that indicate the importance of Google Maps SEO.

1. High Competition on Google Maps

According to data from Centre AI, over 200 million businesses and locations are listed on Google Maps. If your business’s listing is not optimized for Google Places ranking, it can easily get lost among the competition. With effective SEO planning, you can ensure that your listing outperforms the competition and ranks higher in local searches.

2. Consumer Behavior Favors Local Search

According to 2024’s Consumer Behavior Index by SOCI, 80% of American consumers search for local businesses online at least once a week, while 32% search every day or multiple times a day. This growing trend indicates that without optimizing your Google Maps listings for local searches, you will miss out on many potential customers actively seeking services like yours.

3. Google Maps is a Top Local Search Tool

Data from Local iQ suggests that 46% of the 8.5 billion Google searches per day have a local intent. According to Backlinko,  4 out of 5 users conduct an online search for a local business once a week, with 86%  using Google Maps to find the location. Given these numbers, investing in local SEO can be a game-changer for your marketing efforts.

4. Ranking Higher Drives More Clicks

According to Red Local SEO, the top three results in Google Maps Pack get the most clicks and traffic as they’re trusted by over 68% of users. Using Google Maps search engine optimization, your business can rank for these spots to gain more exposure and traffic.

5. Growing Demand for Nearby Services

Data from SEMRush shows that searches for “open now near me” have surged by 400% over the years. This shows that people increasingly look for readily available businesses at a given time. If you optimize your Google Maps profile with accurate hours and service details, it will help your business show up when the consumers need it most.

Google Maps Ranking Factors to Guide Your SEO Strategy

Once you understand why you should invest in Google Maps SEO, you can easily build an effective SEO strategy to boost your rankings. Consider these Google ranking factors that decide whether your listing will rank higher in local searches.

• Relevance – Align with Search Intent. Google prioritizes business listings that align well with the user’s query. To make your listing more relevant, complete your Google Business Profile with accurate information. Select the most appropriate business category and clearly state the services you offer. You can also include photos and videos to showcase your location or teamwork.
• Proximity – Optimize for Local Reach. Proximity means how far your business is from the user’s location. Google will analyze how your location matches the location mentioned in the query based on its distance from the user. If your business location changes over time, you should change your listing location to ensure consumers can discover you on the Maps.
• Recognition – Build a Strong Online Presence. A well-known business with high engagement will rank higher in Google Maps and may even take the top spot. To ensure your listing stands out in the competition, complete your business profile with comprehensive and consistent details. You can also encourage your customers to leave Google reviews to add more credibility to your online presence.

Knowing these factors will help guide your Google Maps optimization and boost those rankings!

How to Rank Higher on Google Maps: Top 5 Tips for Ranking

Whether you already have a Google Business profile or are just getting started, here are some helpful Google Maps ranking tips to rank higher and gain more exposure.

1. Add Your Business to Google Maps

If you want your business to be discovered online, the first thing to do is create a Google Maps profile. You can either use the Google Maps website or the mobile app to search for your business name.

Since anyone can add a location to the Google Map, chances are your business may appear in the search results. However, if it does not appear, Google lets you add it by providing your name, location, and category information.

Whether you already have a profile or create a new one, your business listing is not complete unless you claim it and fill in the relevant information.

2. Claim Your Google Maps Listing

Compared to adding a business to Google Maps, claiming it allows you to enrich it with more details of your business. The more information your listing has, the higher it will rank in local or Google Maps searches.

However, you must have a Google My Business account before claiming your business. Then, you can search your listing on the platform and select the option to “Claim this business.” The verification process for this submission can take about a week to complete.

3. Optimize Your Google Maps Listing

According to Google Business Profile Help, your profile should have complete and accurate details of your business. The goal is to build credibility and ensure that consumers feel at ease when interacting with your services.

Data from Google shows that people are 2.7 times more likely to find a business reputable if it has a complete Business Profile on Google Search and Maps. To add information about your business, you can sign in to your Google My Business account and access the “Info” section from the left.

• Use a Consistent Name: Google measures a business’s credibility based on its consistent name across social platforms and websites. Your name should match the physical name of your store and the name used across these channels. For example, avoid modifying “Fast & Fresh Pizza” to “Fast and Fresh Pizza” or “Fast ‘N’ Fresh Pizza.”
• Add a Local Phone Number: Use a local telephone number with the correct area code of your place instead of toll-free numbers. Google considers toll-free numbers as spam and may affect your Google Maps ranking.
• Update Your Active Hours: Google displays your business’s open and closed hours on your listing. This helps people know when they can visit. Keeping these hours updated helps customers trust you more and signals to Google that your business is active and reliable.
• Write a Description: Adding a description is a great way to include keywords related to your business or services. This helps your profile rank for relevant search terms. Just be sure to keep the tone consistent with your brand identity so it feels authentic and engaging.
• Use an Appropriate Category: On Google My Business, you can set both primary and additional categories for your business. Your primary category should capture the core of what you offer—what your business is best known for. Then, use additional categories to cover any other relevant services.

Here is an excellent example of a complete business profile on Google Maps. The restaurant has over 1K reviews and provides all the details about its services, address, active hours, phone, menu and even pricing.

4. Manage and Reply to Reviews

Reviews can shape your business’s online reputation for better or worse. But what really matters isn’t just the reviews themselves—it’s how you handle them. In fact, a study from Harvard Business Review found that simply responding with a polite answer can lead to a 12% increase in reviews for your business.

Here’s what to consider when handling Google reviews.

• Manage Regularly: Set up notifications for new reviews to respond promptly.
• Respond to all Reviews: Acknowledge both positive and negative reviews.
• Stay Professional: Use a polite and professional tone when interacting.
• Keep them Concise: Keep responses clear and to the point.
• Add a Personal Element: Address reviewers by name and reference details from their feedback.

5. Actively Post to your Business Listing

You can also share updates about your business through your Google Maps account or Google Business Profile. Regularly posting about your services, special offers, and important events not only keeps your customers in the loop but also signals to Google that you’re actively managing your account.

Here are the essential elements to include in your posts.

• Special Offers: Highlight discounts or limited-time deals.
• Important Announcements: Share upcoming events or important updates.
• New Products and Services: Introduce new offerings to attract interest.
• Call-to-Action: Encourage actions like “Call Now,” “Book an Appointment,” or “Visit Us.”
• Local Keywords & Hashtags: Improve search relevance with location-based terms.

6. Add a Google Map to your Website

Placing a Google Map on your website is a powerful way to boost your local SEO. It helps Google confirm that your business location is relevant to local searches, which can improve the Google Maps ranking of your business.

Plus, when visitors interact with the map to get directions or check out your location—it increases your engagement, which is another ranking factor for Google.

Beyond just boosting your SEO, embedding a Google Map makes it easier for customers to find you quickly. To get the most out of it, match the map with your Google Business Profile address. You should also place it on pages like your homepage or contact page.

For instance, Molly Maid uses Google Maps on local franchise pages, to clearly show their service areas.

Source

7. Optimize with Local Keywords

Building a complete Google Maps profile is just the beginning. To rank higher in local searches, you will need to optimize your business for specific keywords. But before creating any content, make sure those keywords are relevant to what users are actually searching for—especially geo-specific terms.

For example, if someone is looking for the “best coffee shop in Brooklyn” and your business is in Brooklyn, you should use that keyword in your Google Business Profile, web pages, blog posts, and social media. This helps Google link your business with the right audience and increases your chances of showing up in local results.

Here’s what to know when optimizing website content with local keywords.

• Use location-based phrases like “best hair salon in [city]” or “[service] near me.”
• Incorporate local keywords into content, blogs, and product descriptions.
• Include the address, phone number, and local info on the About Us or Contact pages.
• Create local content like event listings and area-specific guides.

Final Words

Google Maps is evolving rapidly. It offers advanced ways for consumers to discover, engage, and choose businesses. With millions competing for top rankings in Google Maps, simply having a profile isn’t enough. You also need a strategic approach to Google Maps SEO.

Success comes from more than just filling out your business details. It requires consistent optimization, active engagement, and timely responses to customer interactions. The businesses that actively optimize and engage are the ones that win in local search—make sure yours is one of them!