{"id":6982,"date":"2020-06-21T15:38:06","date_gmt":"2020-06-21T15:38:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digitallyup.com.au\/?p=6982"},"modified":"2022-11-06T10:18:01","modified_gmt":"2022-11-06T10:18:01","slug":"google-local-ranking-factors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/digitallyup.com.au\/google-local-ranking-factors\/","title":{"rendered":"Google Local Ranking Factors for 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"

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What is Local SEO Marketing?<\/h2>\n

Local SEO is the online visibility of your business on a specific geographic area you are serving to. It is a crucial part of a marketing strategy to attract local customers.<\/p>\n

A comprehensive Local SEO campaign can benefit your business by increasing your search visibility in the local area, and the ability to engage with local customers.<\/p>\n

Google updates its search algorithm to provide users with relevant and valuable information nearby. Hence, ranking well in local search results requires a comprehensive approach.<\/p>\n

Even though the exact ranking formula for Local SEO is not known, we do know of the main factors that can play an important part in helping local businesses rank higher in local search results.<\/p>\n

Here are the 7 main Local SEO Ranking Factors for 2022:<\/h2>\n
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  1. \n

    Google My Business<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    This is one of the most essential Local SEO ranking factors. It basically enables businesses to have them listed and verified by Google. This will help your customers find your location, contact number, and other information.<\/p>\n

    GMB<\/a> is important because it is one of the first things that users will notice. Google search algorithm analyzes GMB signals such as proximity and updated contact to show your listing to people near your area.<\/p>\n

    A thorough Local SEO strategy will help to optimize the GMB listing for improved visibility.<\/p>\n

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    1. \n

      On-Page Signals<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      There are many on-page factors that determine your ranking on Google. The use of \u2018relevant keywords\u2019 is most important. Google\u2019s search algorithm will analyze the relevant keywords you have used and where you have placed them. So, make sure you are using the relevant keywords to optimize your SEO and get ranked higher.<\/p>\n

      In addition, details such as name, address, and contact number on your website will benefit in on-page ranking factors. This information is useful for Google to decide essential proximity details for your rankings.<\/p>\n

      \u2018Mobile-friendliness\u2019 is another important local on-page ranking factor. According to stats, 30% of all Google mobile searches are related to location. You need to make sure two things: make your website easy to use, and loading speed on mobile devices must be fast for good user-experience and SEO optimization.<\/p>\n

      Optimizing your website and making it user-friendly ensures people to find you more easily on the internet. People are always searching on Google to buy products or avail services, so you can target these people more effectively.<\/p>\n

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      1. \n

        Online Reviews<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Potential customers are cautious before deciding to avail of your services or buy any products. To make your company more trustworthy and to attract new clients, you need good reviews and positive feedback from those clients who have already availed your service or bought your products; and are willing to remain your loyal clients.<\/p>\n

        This will have a positive impact on potential clients who are uncertain about choosing your company for whatever service\/product you offer.<\/p>\n

        Also, positive online reviews contribute to ranking for Local SEO. Local search ranking factor in 2022, considers the total number, frequency, diversity, and quality of reviews.<\/p>\n

        If your business is receiving genuine praise and appreciation, Google will consider customers\u2019 satisfaction and put you higher in the local search rankings.<\/p>\n

        For Google, the user comes first, so the combination of a comprehensive Local SEO campaign with good user-experience and feedback is what you must aim towards.<\/p>\n

        You can encourage your satisfied customers to leave their comments on platforms such as Google Maps, Yelp, Glassdoor, and on your website.<\/p>\n

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        1. \n

          Backlink Profile<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Backlinks play a vital part in building authority for a local business. Your objective should be to gain links from relevant, local, and authoritative websites.<\/p>\n

          When it comes to backlinks, quality matters more than the quantity. Getting backlinks from authoritative websites can be difficult, but that is what you should aim for.<\/p>\n

          To get ahead of your competitors, backlinks from authoritative sites are critical to attaining priority placement in search results.<\/p>\n

          In the case of backlinks, Local SEO ranking factors consider – the quality of links, the relevancy of links, the quantity of links, and the anchor text that is used to link to your website.<\/p>\n

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          1. \n

            Online Citations<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Online directories and citations are helpful for consistent information about your company on the internet, and for gaining backlinks from authentic and authoritative websites.<\/p>\n

            Users on the internet use the directories and citations to find products and services and their whereabouts. On the other hand, search engines use these directories and citations to verify information about your company.<\/p>\n

            NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) consistency is an important part of local SEO ranking factors in 2022. The information (NAP) about your company should be consistent across all the directories.<\/p>\n

            The use of directories and citations confirms your company\u2019s information is accurate to both users and search engines.<\/p>\n

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            1. \n

              Behavioral Signals\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              Google\u2019s algorithm uses many behavioral signals to decide the positioning order of websites in local search results. So, what are behavioral signals? These are actions that your users indicate by engaging with your company online.<\/p>\n

              The most common behavioral signals that are monitored by Google include:<\/p>\n