Local SEO Without the Magic Tricks
Google describes local results in three plain words: relevance, distance, and prominence. Here is what a small business can actually do with that.
Filed under Local SEO. Practical notes from Baer Paw Marketing for businesses in North Idaho and beyond.
Three factors, not a secret formula
Google says local results are mainly based on relevance, distance, and prominence. Relevance is how well a business matches a search; distance is how far it is from the searcher or the place in the query; prominence reflects how well known it is. You cannot buy your way into a better organic local ranking.
Make your information accurate
Complete and maintain your Google Business Profile with the right category, address or service area, hours, and contact information. Your website should clearly state the services you actually provide and the places you genuinely serve—Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene, elsewhere in North Idaho, Eastern Washington, or Western Montana when applicable. Do not create a page for a town where you do no work.
Give searchers proof
Show actual work, answer common questions, and make contact easy. Google notes that reviews and links can contribute to prominence. Ask for honest reviews; never offer a reward for a particular rating. A few detailed, genuine accounts are more useful to a reader than a wall of vague praise.
The quick audit
Search for your business name and one of your services on your phone. Are your hours current? Does the site say where you work? Can a customer call in one tap? Fix those basics before chasing a “secret SEO hack.” Rankings vary by location and query, so there is no honest guarantee of a number-one spot.
Sources & further reading
Google Business Profile Help: improve local ranking: https://support.google.com/business/answer/7091?hl=en
Google Search Essentials: https://developers.google.com/search/docs/essentials