Google Maps Ranking is a type of marketing that allows businesses to rank higher on the search engine results page (SERP) for local searches. This leads to a boost in customer traffic and website conversions. As more and more people rely on Google Maps to find nearby products and services, it is becoming increasingly important to secure a top spot in the local pack.
Google’s recent redesign of the Maps pack reduced the number of local business listings to three. This has created a new playing field for businesses hoping to nab one of the coveted spots. Getting listed on the first page of Google Maps can have many benefits for your business, including increased visibility, credibility, and relevance.
However, it’s not easy to achieve a high ranking on Google Maps. It requires a combination of on-page and off-page factors. In addition, it is vital to make sure that your website is well optimized for local search. It also pays to pay attention to your Google My Business (GMB) profile and optimize it for local keywords.
This is why it’s important to understand the different ranking factors that impact Google Maps rankings. This way, you can focus your efforts on the areas that are most important for your business.
The most important factor in Google Maps rankings is prominence, which is a measure of how well known a business is in the local area. Prominence is influenced by your brand’s website organic positions, reviews, ratings, and backlinks. However, it is also based on your GMB’s popularity and how well you are known offline. Google’s recent Vicinity update has also impacted prominence, as it has cracked down on spam.
Another crucial factor is proximity, which measures how close a business is to the searcher’s physical location. This is determined by the business’s address, and Google checks if this information matches the search query. It is also influenced by how close the business is to other businesses.
The most important thing for your Google Maps ranking is to have a fully-optimized and complete GMB profile with accurate information. This includes your business name, address, phone number, and website URL. You should also add photos to your profile and encourage your customers to leave a review. It’s also a good idea to add relevant tags and categories to your GMB listing.