Google Maps ranking is a crucial component of local SEO and should be at the top of your list when it comes to optimizing for Google’s search engine. This is because Google’s map app is the most popular app downloaded by US smartphone users, and it is also a great way to increase your online presence and find new customers.
The Google Maps algorithm uses a variety of ranking factors to determine how to place your business in the map pack (also called the “local pack,” “snack pack,” and “Google 3-pack”), which is a prominent spot in the SERPs when someone searches for your business’ name. Understanding how these factors work is essential to improving your local map ranking and maximizing your potential on the Google platform.
One of the first things you should do to optimize your Google Maps ranking is to make sure that your listing is fully optimized with accurate, relevant, and up-to-date information. This includes all your business information and any specifics you want to highlight, such as services or products.
Your business description should be optimized as well, using keywords that match your product or service and other keywords relevant to your target market. This will help your business appear more prominently in the SERPs, and it can be a great way to get more Google Maps reviews.
Another great way to boost your Google Maps ranking is to build citations for your business. Citations are mentions of your business’ name, address, and phone number in other places online, such as links or articles, which help establish you as a prominent local business.
In addition to submitting your listing to directories, you should create a Google Maps business profile on your own and regularly update it with your contact information, special offers, and other information that will compel people to visit your business. Getting a high Google Maps ranking isn’t difficult, but it does take consistent efforts and the right optimizations.
Creating your Google Business Profile can be easy and fast, and it is a critical part of any SEO strategy. This is because your profile gives people a look into how you operate and what you’re all about, which helps them decide whether or not to use your services.
Once your Google Business Profile is up and running, you’ll want to regularly check it to see if there are any problems or changes that need to be made. If there are, you can fix them by updating your listing, or creating a new one.
Aside from ensuring that all your important information is accurate, you should also be checking to ensure that there aren’t any duplicates. Duplicate profiles can be very harmful to your Google Maps ranking, so you should be proactive in identifying them and taking care of them as soon as possible.
The most common types of duplicates are created by spammers, so you should be wary if you’re getting any suspicious email or phone calls that suggest that someone has set up a duplicate profile for your business. If you suspect that someone has done this, use Google’s redressal form to let them know they need to remove the duplicate and improve their profile.