Google Maps Ranking is a key aspect of local SEO, which is critical for businesses looking to increase their online visibility and reach new customers. With more people using the Google Maps app to find local businesses, as well as the increasing use of voice search, getting your business to rank in the Google Maps pack is essential to ensuring that your business can be found.
Google uses finely-tuned algorithms to determine what businesses appear in the local pack, and what businesses are shown to users searching for specific keywords. These algorithms are constantly changing, but understanding what the most important Maps ranking factors are can help you to better optimize your Google Maps profile and position in the local pack.
One of the most important things that you can do to improve your Maps ranking is ensuring that your GMB business listing is complete and accurate. This means double checking all the basic information about your business, as well as adding services that your company offers and including descriptions of those services. Google also pays close attention to customer reviews, and will consider the number of positive reviews that your business has as a factor in how high it ranks in the local pack.
It’s also important to get your business listed on as many relevant and high-quality local directories as possible. This will not only improve your Maps ranking but may also improve your website’s organic rankings as well. Try to avoid any listings that are deemed as spam, such as those that contain an overly-long business name or keywords, and also make sure to check out your competitors’ listings on these local directories and verify your own.
Another important aspect of optimizing your Google Maps ranking is regularly posting on your business’s Google My Business account. This will not only improve your search engine optimization but can also drive more consumers to your business and build trust. Publish posts about your products, special promotions or events, and share photos of your store to show that your business is active and engaging.
Finally, it’s important to regularly update your website to ensure that it is optimized for your target keywords. Having a responsive site that is easy to navigate and loads quickly on mobile devices is essential for your Maps ranking, as it shows that your website is relevant to the searchers’ queries.
Ultimately, the best way to improve your Maps ranking is through consistent and rigorous optimization efforts. This will not only ensure that your Google Maps profile is up to date and complete but will also keep it there as long as possible. Fortunately, Semrush’s Listing Management tool takes all the headache out of keeping track of your Google Maps profile and all your other local listings, so you can focus on boosting your online visibility and reaching new customers. Get started today!