The wiki

The reference desk for winning online.

Evergreen guides — kept current, backed by our own scan data, written in plain talk. Every article opens with the answer, not a preamble.

01 — Local SEO

What Is Local SEO? The Plain-English Guide

Local SEO is the practice of making your business visible when nearby customers search for what you sell — in Google's map pack, local results, and AI answers. It runs on five levers: your Google Business Profile, reviews, city-specific pages, structured data, and website speed.

UPDATED 2026-07-08 · READ →

Google Business Profile: The 20-Minute Monthly Routine That Ranks

Your Google Business Profile is the single highest-leverage asset in local search — it decides map-pack visibility more than your website does. Winning takes a complete profile, weekly activity (posts, photos, Q&A), and steady review velocity with owner replies — roughly 20 minutes a month.

UPDATED 2026-07-08 · READ →

Why Isn't My Website Showing Up on Google? (Diagnosis & Fixes)

A website missing from Google is almost always one of five problems, in this order of likelihood: it's too new to be indexed, it's accidentally blocking Google (noindex tag or robots.txt), it has no authority yet for competitive terms, it's technically broken in a way that prevents crawling, or it's been penalized. The diagnosis takes ten minutes with Google Search Console — and the fix is usually simpler than feared.

UPDATED 2026-07-08 · READ →

What Is the Google Map Pack?

The Google Map Pack (or Local Pack) is the block of three business listings, shown with a map, that appears at the top of Google results for searches with local intent — like 'plumber near me' or 'dentist in Austin.' It is powered by Google Business Profile data rather than website rankings alone, and positions are determined by relevance, distance, and prominence, which is why results change depending on where the searcher is standing.

UPDATED 2026-07-09 · READ →

What Are Local Citations? NAP Listings Explained

Local citations are online mentions of a business's name, address, and phone number, collectively called NAP, on directories, review sites, apps, and social platforms. Examples include Yelp, Apple Maps, Bing Places, and industry directories. Consistent, accurate citations help search engines verify that a business is legitimate and located where it claims, which supports local search rankings and Map Pack visibility. They come in structured (directory listings) and unstructured (blog or news mentions) forms.

UPDATED 2026-07-09 · READ →

What Is a Google Business Profile Post?

A Google Business Profile post is a short, timely update a business publishes directly to its Google listing, appearing in the Business Profile panel on Google Search and Maps. Posts can promote offers, events, products, or news, and each includes text, a photo or video, and an optional call-to-action button. They give local businesses a free way to share fresh content where nearby customers already see the listing.

UPDATED 2026-07-09 · READ →

What Are Google Business Profile Categories?

Google Business Profile categories are labels that tell Google what a business actually does, chosen from Google's fixed list rather than typed freely. Every profile has one required primary category and can add up to nine secondary categories. Categories are one of the strongest local ranking signals because they determine which searches your business is eligible to appear for, making accurate selection essential for showing up in the map pack.

UPDATED 2026-07-09 · READ →

What Is a Service-Area Business (SAB)?

A service-area business (SAB) is a company that travels to serve customers at their locations rather than having customers visit a storefront. Plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians, landscapers, and mobile services are typical examples. On Google Business Profile, an SAB hides its street address and instead lists the geographic areas it serves. This distinction affects verification, how the profile displays, and the local SEO tactics that work best for winning nearby jobs.

UPDATED 2026-07-09 · READ →

What Is Google Business Profile Messaging?

Google Business Profile messaging is a feature that lets potential customers text a business directly from its Google listing on Search and Maps. When enabled, a 'Message' button appears on the profile, and inquiries route to the business owner through the Google Business Profile app or a connected tool. It gives local businesses a low-friction way to capture leads who prefer texting over calling, with response time visible to customers.

UPDATED 2026-07-09 · READ →

What Are Google Business Profile Attributes?

Google Business Profile attributes are specific descriptive labels that highlight features, amenities, and characteristics of a business, such as 'Wheelchair accessible,' 'Free Wi-Fi,' 'Women-owned,' or 'Online appointments.' Some attributes are added by the owner while others are inferred by Google from user feedback. They appear on the profile to help customers quickly judge whether a business fits their needs, and they can influence which filtered and voice searches a business surfaces for.

UPDATED 2026-07-09 · READ →

What Is a Google Business Profile Suspension?

A Google Business Profile suspension is when Google disables a business listing, removing it from Search and Maps, because it appears to violate Google's guidelines. Suspensions come in two forms: soft, where the profile is unverified but still visible, and hard, where it is removed entirely. Common triggers include address manipulation, keyword-stuffed business names, and prohibited categories. Reinstatement requires fixing the violation and appealing to Google with supporting evidence.

UPDATED 2026-07-09 · READ →

What Is Google Business Profile Verification?

Google Business Profile verification is the process of proving to Google that you legitimately own or manage a business, unlocking full control of its listing on Search and Maps. Google confirms ownership through methods such as a mailed postcard, phone, email, video recording, or live video call. Until a profile is verified, the owner cannot fully edit it and it lacks the trust and visibility of a verified listing, making verification a foundational local SEO step.

UPDATED 2026-07-09 · READ →

What Is Local Keyword Research?

Local keyword research is the process of identifying the search terms people use to find nearby businesses, products, and services, so a company can target them across its website and Google Business Profile. It focuses on location-specific and intent-driven queries such as 'emergency plumber near me' or 'dentist in Austin.' The goal is to match content and profiles to the real language local customers use, improving visibility in local search results and the map pack.

UPDATED 2026-07-09 · READ →

What Is a Citation Audit?

A citation audit is a systematic review of a business's online listings, its name, address, and phone number (NAP) across directories, review sites, and data aggregators, to find and fix inconsistencies, duplicates, and inaccuracies. Because search engines use citation consistency as a trust and relevance signal for local ranking, an audit ensures a business is represented uniformly everywhere, which strengthens its visibility in local search and the Google map pack.

UPDATED 2026-07-09 · READ →

What Is Google Maps SEO?

Google Maps SEO is the practice of optimizing a business so it ranks higher in Google Maps and the local map pack results on Google Search. It focuses on the factors Google uses to rank local results, relevance, distance, and prominence, through an optimized Google Business Profile, consistent citations, quality reviews, and a strong website. The goal is to appear when nearby customers search for the products or services a business offers.

UPDATED 2026-07-09 · READ →

What Is Local Link Building?

Local link building is the practice of earning hyperlinks from geographically or topically relevant websites to strengthen a local business's search visibility. It focuses on links from local news outlets, chambers of commerce, community organizations, sponsorships, and industry directories rather than high-volume generic backlinks. These links signal to Google that a business is an established, trusted part of a specific community, which supports rankings in both organic results and the local map pack.

UPDATED 2026-07-09 · READ →

What Is a Local Landing Page?

A local landing page is a web page built to target a specific city, neighborhood, or service area so a business can rank and convert for location-based searches. It combines locally relevant content, the business's services in that area, contact details, directions, and social proof. Unlike a generic homepage, it answers the intent behind searches like plumber near downtown Austin, helping the business appear in organic results and drive calls, form fills, and visits from nearby customers.

UPDATED 2026-07-09 · READ →

What Is Geotargeting?

Geotargeting is the practice of delivering content, ads, or search results tailored to a user's geographic location. It uses signals like IP address, GPS data, Wi-Fi, and stated location to show people information relevant to where they are. In local SEO and advertising, geotargeting helps a business reach nearby customers, focus ad spend on served areas, and personalize website content by region, improving relevance, conversion rates, and return on marketing investment.

UPDATED 2026-07-09 · READ →

What Is Proximity in Local Search?

Proximity in local search is how much the physical distance between a searcher and a business influences local rankings, especially in Google's map pack. When someone searches for a nearby service, Google weighs how close each business is to the searcher's location alongside relevance and prominence. Proximity is largely outside a business's direct control, since it depends on where the searcher happens to be, which is why results shift as people move around a city.

UPDATED 2026-07-09 · READ →

What Is Review Generation?

Review generation is the systematic process of encouraging satisfied customers to leave online reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, and industry sites. It uses timely, compliant requests, by text, email, or in person, to turn happy customers into public testimonials. A steady flow of genuine reviews improves local search visibility, builds trust with prospective customers, and provides feedback for the business. Effective review generation is ethical, never incentivizing or filtering by rating.

UPDATED 2026-07-09 · READ →

What Is a Review Response Strategy?

A review response strategy is a consistent, planned approach to replying to customer reviews, both positive and negative, across platforms like Google and Yelp. It defines who responds, how quickly, and in what tone, aiming to show prospective customers that the business listens and cares. Thoughtful responses build trust, can defuse negative reviews, and signal engagement to search engines. A good strategy is professional, timely, personalized, and never defensive or dismissive.

UPDATED 2026-07-09 · READ →

What Is a Data Aggregator in Local SEO?

A data aggregator is a company that collects, verifies, and distributes business listing information, name, address, phone number, and more, to a wide network of directories, apps, maps, and search engines. In local SEO, aggregators act as wholesale sources of business data, so a single accurate submission can populate consistent citations across dozens of downstream platforms. Keeping your details correct at the aggregator level helps ensure consistency everywhere, which supports local search trust and rankings.

UPDATED 2026-07-09 · READ →

What Is Local Search Intent?

Local search intent is the goal behind a search that signals the person wants a nearby product, service, or place. It includes explicit queries like dentist near me or plumber in Chicago and implicit ones like emergency locksmith, where Google infers local intent from context and behavior. Recognizing local intent helps businesses create content and profiles that match what nearby searchers actually want, improving visibility in local results and driving calls, visits, and bookings.

UPDATED 2026-07-09 · READ →

What Is Multi-Location SEO?

Multi-location SEO is the practice of optimizing a business with several physical locations so each one ranks well in its own local market. It involves creating and managing a separate Google Business Profile for every location, building unique location pages on the website, keeping consistent citations, and managing reviews per location. The goal is for each branch to appear in its local map pack and organic results, rather than competing with or cannibalizing sibling locations.

UPDATED 2026-07-09 · READ →

What Is Google Business Profile Insights?

Google Business Profile Insights, now shown as performance data, is the free analytics Google provides for a business's profile. It reports how people find and interact with the listing: the searches they used, how many viewed the profile, and actions like calls, website clicks, direction requests, and messages. These metrics help local businesses understand which searches drive visibility, how customers engage, and whether their local SEO efforts are translating into real contact and visits.

UPDATED 2026-07-09 · READ →

What Is a Local SEO Audit?

A local SEO audit is a structured review of everything that affects how a business ranks in local search results and the Google Map Pack. It checks the Google Business Profile, citations and NAP consistency, on-page signals, reviews, website health, and competitor positioning to find gaps holding back visibility. The output is a prioritized list of fixes. For US local businesses, an audit is the diagnostic step before any serious local SEO campaign.

UPDATED 2026-07-09 · READ →

What Is Bing Places for Business?

Bing Places for Business is Microsoft's free listing platform that controls how a business appears in Bing search and Bing Maps, the equivalent of Google Business Profile for the Bing ecosystem. You claim or create a listing, add your name, address, phone, hours, categories, and photos, then verify ownership. Because Bing powers a meaningful share of US desktop searches and feeds AI assistants like Copilot, an accurate Bing Places listing extends a local business's reach beyond Google.

UPDATED 2026-07-09 · READ →

What Is Apple Business Connect?

Apple Business Connect is Apple's free platform for managing how a business appears across Apple Maps, Siri, Spotlight, Wallet, and other Apple services. Business owners claim their place card, then control the name, address, hours, photos, logo, and promotional showcases that iPhone and Mac users see. Because Apple Maps is the default map on hundreds of millions of US devices, an accurate Apple Business Connect listing captures high-intent Apple users that a Google-only strategy would miss.

UPDATED 2026-07-09 · READ →

What Is a Local Business Directory?

A local business directory is an online listing site that catalogs businesses with their name, address, phone, website, and category, letting customers search for services in a specific area. Examples include Yelp, the Better Business Bureau, Angi, and industry-specific directories. Each listing acts as a citation that corroborates a business's existence and location to search engines. Consistent, accurate directory listings strengthen local SEO prominence and give customers additional paths to find and contact a business.

UPDATED 2026-07-09 · READ →

What Is Geo-Grid Rank Tracking?

Geo-grid rank tracking measures how a business ranks in local search from many different points across its service area, plotted as a grid of coordinates on a map. Instead of a single ranking, it shows your position at each grid point, revealing how visibility rises near your location and fades with distance. This exposes the true, location-dependent reality of local rankings and helps businesses see exactly where they are strong or weak within a city or neighborhood.

UPDATED 2026-07-09 · READ →

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