Google My Business

Local Search Ranking Factors

Ranking on the local Google Maps is an ever dynamic process. Google continually changes its local ranking algorithm. There are many factors to consider when it comes to Google Maps local rankings. Below is a list of Local Search Ranking Factors. These factors are continually monitored in order to obtain the best local rankings in your area. 

  • Proximity of Address to the Point of Search (Searcher-Business Distance)
  • Physical Address in City of Search
  • Proper GMB Category Associations
  • Quality/Authority of Inbound Links to Domain
  • Consistency of Citations on the Primary Data Sources
  • Domain Authority of Website
  • Product/Service Keyword in GMB Business Title
  • Quality/Authority of Structured Citations
  • Consistency of Citations on Tier 1 Citation Sources
  • Click-Through Rate from Search Results
  • Quality/Authority of Inbound Links to GMB Landing Page URL
  • Location Keyword in GMB Business Title
  • Verified GMB Listing
  • HTML NAP Matching GMB Listing NAP
  • GMB Primary Category Matches a Broader Category of the Search Category
  • Diversity of Inbound Links to Domain
  • Quantity of Inbound Links to Domain
  • Quantity of Native Google Reviews (with text)
  • City, State in GMB Landing Page Title
  • Quantity of Inbound Links to Domain from Locally Relevant Domains
  • Quality/Authority of Unstructured Citations (Newspaper Articles, Blog Posts, Gov Sites, Industry Associations)
  • Page Authority of GMB Landing Page URL
  • Topical (Product/Service) Keyword Relevance of Domain Content
  • High Numerical Ratings of Business by Google Users (e.g. 4–5)
  • Age of GMB Listing
  • Product/Service Keywords in Reviews
  • Mobile-Friendly/Responsive Website
  • Quantity of Inbound Links to Domain from Industry-Relevant Domains
  • Quantity of Citations from Locally Relevant Domains
  • Proximity of Address to Centroid of Other Businesses in Industry
  • NAP in Schema/JSON-LD on GMB Landing Page URL
  • Local Area Code on GMB Listing
  • Product/Service Keywords in Anchor Text of Inbound Links to Domain
  • Quantity of Inbound Links to GMB Landing Page URL
  • Clicks to Call Business
  • Association of Photos with GMB Listing
  • Prominence on Key Industry-Relevant Domains
  • Location Keywords in Anchor Text of Inbound Links to Domain
  • Diversity of Inbound Links to GMB Landing Page URL
  • Driving Directions to Business Clicks
  • Enhancement/Completeness of Citations
  • Positive Sentiment in Reviews