Glossary
Local SEO
Definition
Local SEO is the practice of optimizing a business's online presence so it appears prominently in geographically relevant search results, including Google Maps and the local pack.
In depth
Local SEO encompasses your Google Business Profile, NAP consistency across directories, on-page location signals, review acquisition, and local link building. Unlike general SEO, local SEO focuses on proximity, relevance, and prominence — the three core factors Google uses to rank local results. Businesses that invest consistently in local SEO see more calls, direction requests, and walk-in traffic from nearby customers actively looking to buy.
Related terms
- Google Business Profile
Google Business Profile (GBP) is a free listing that controls how your business appears in Google Search and Google Maps, including your name, address, hours, photos, and customer reviews.
- NAP Consistency
NAP consistency refers to having your business Name, Address, and Phone number identical across every online listing, directory, and web page where your business appears.
- Citations
Citations are online mentions of your business's name, address, and phone number on directories, review sites, data aggregators, and local websites — with or without a link.
- Review Signals
Review signals are the quantity, recency, rating, and sentiment of customer reviews on Google and other platforms, and they directly influence local search rankings and customer conversion.
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